2008 Woodie Awards
Leaving Lex Vegas
Bibeka Shrestha
Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
While most students prepare for another term, at least ten will be waving goodbye to Washington and Lee. They are among the first students to seize the "Spring Option," which allows students to take off after winter term to pursue other opportunities.
Matt Anderson, '09, said he decided to take spring term off to intern at a law firm.
"Last year, I found that a lot of time was wasted spring term" he said. "I could be better served starting my summer work earlier."
Other students said they would be interning, studying for the MCAT, and doing part-time work while starting the job search early.
Richard Friedman, '08, said he would stay in Lexington and work full-time on next year's Mock Convention. Friedman is the general chair for the convention.
Most of the other students will be pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
"There are just some things you can't do in Lexington," Dobin said.
Hank Dobin, dean of the College, said there had been much debate about how to handle the shortage of courses available spring term, caused by not having enough faculty members. Dobin said requiring students take one course instead of two or kicking a whole class of students, all sophomores for example, off campus for spring term did not seem feasible.
About a month ago, the administration decided to make spring term optional. To help facilitate that decision, degree requirements were lowered six credits from 121 to 115 credits requires for graduation. This year's seniors are the last to graduate under the old requirements.
He emphasized that students could use the time to study abroad, start an internship or job early, take advantage of service opportunities, travel, and so on. The option could also help counteract the disadvantage of being among the last students to get out of school and into the job market.
But, "if a student [wanted to] spend spring term sitting on the couch watching soap operas,'" Dobin added. "That's not a good idea."
Matt Anderson, '09, said he decided to take spring term off to intern at a law firm.
"Last year, I found that a lot of time was wasted spring term" he said. "I could be better served starting my summer work earlier."
Other students said they would be interning, studying for the MCAT, and doing part-time work while starting the job search early.
Richard Friedman, '08, said he would stay in Lexington and work full-time on next year's Mock Convention. Friedman is the general chair for the convention.
Most of the other students will be pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
"There are just some things you can't do in Lexington," Dobin said.
Hank Dobin, dean of the College, said there had been much debate about how to handle the shortage of courses available spring term, caused by not having enough faculty members. Dobin said requiring students take one course instead of two or kicking a whole class of students, all sophomores for example, off campus for spring term did not seem feasible.
About a month ago, the administration decided to make spring term optional. To help facilitate that decision, degree requirements were lowered six credits from 121 to 115 credits requires for graduation. This year's seniors are the last to graduate under the old requirements.
He emphasized that students could use the time to study abroad, start an internship or job early, take advantage of service opportunities, travel, and so on. The option could also help counteract the disadvantage of being among the last students to get out of school and into the job market.
But, "if a student [wanted to] spend spring term sitting on the couch watching soap operas,'" Dobin added. "That's not a good idea."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
scott dittman
posted 3/16/07 @ 8:41 PM EST
A total of 19 students have submitted the paperwork for Spring Option with the following distribution of primary plans:
study abroad 1
grad/prof school prep 6
internship 5
volunteer/service 2
work (non-internships) 2
other 3
Post a Comment