Wake Forest University

A spirit of purposeful inquiry and personal mentorship defines the intellectual life at Wake Forest University, where the guiding motto Pro Humanitate — "for humanity" — shapes every dimension of the student experience. Founded in 1834 and situated on a 340-acre suburban campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest combines the intimacy of a liberal arts college with the resources and ambition of a nationally recognized research university. Students choose from more than 50 majors across the Undergraduate College (Wake Forest College of Arts and Sciences) and the School of Business, united by a commitment to educating the whole person — heart, mind, and character. The university's Program for Leadership and Character, which has received over $65 million in foundation support, reflects an institutional belief that academic excellence must be paired with ethical responsibility. Within this close-knit community, a legacy shaped by figures such as Dr. Maya Angelou, who served as Reynolds Professor of American Studies for over three decades, continues to inspire a culture of dignity, dialogue, and civic engagement.

Collaborative learning and faculty mentorship are the hallmarks of the Wake Forest experience, where a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures that undergraduates receive sustained personal attention from teacher-scholars who are leaders in their fields. The campus functions as a dynamic hub for undergraduate research, study abroad across sites in Venice, Vienna, and London, and experiential learning through internships and community partnerships in the Winston-Salem region. For international applicants, it is important to note that Wake Forest does not offer institutional need-based financial aid to foreign national students; however, international students are eligible for most of the university's highly selective merit-based scholarship programs, including full-cost awards such as the Carswell, Gordon, Reynolds, and Stamps Scholarships. Wake Forest meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for eligible domestic students and has recently announced a tuition-free initiative for qualifying North Carolina families. With a retention rate of 92.60% and 97% of recent graduates employed or in graduate programs within six months, Wake Forest prepares students not merely for careers but for lives of purpose and meaningful contribution.