Franklin & Marshall is about the liberal arts experience. You are not there to become a doctor, or a lawyer or a business professional; you are there to learn, to create, and to explore. This school emphasizes that this is the ONE CHANCE in your life where you will have all of these opportunities available to you so easily, so take advantage of it!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
(1) Be prepared to READ
(2) Be realistic & Prioritize...sometimes, like it or not - there aren't enough hours in the day.
(3) Plan out your schedule: the parties are amazing from fraternities to sports to movie nights on the quad - whatever you'll be doing Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights....count on NOT having them available for work....find other times that do
(4) ALWAYS plan meals with friends - no matter how busy you are or how crazy your schedule; the work will be hard, but pandinis will always make an amazing chicken caesar salad and Iron Hill's seafood bisque is out of this world. But, in a time crunch - d-hall will suffice.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Go to office hours!!! Even if its just to say hello - teachers here THRIVE on interacting and talking with their students. The more you're around them, the more they know you care. Classes are usually fairly small, but regardless if your class is 5 people or 50 you NEVER want your professor to have to hesitate for a second when glancing at that gradebook - you want them to know your face, voice and handwriting instantly. They're great people and they're their to help.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Be nice to your hall - no hallcest. As a past resident & RA I can tell you that you will be taking your freshmen seminar with these students AND living with them for at least your first two years. Its convenient freshman year to think its a good idea to fall for the cute guy or girl across the hall...but when things go bad on Friday and you have to sit next to them in class Monday...then pass them everyday on the way to class or the bathroom for the next two years? No one wants that drama. They're your friends, your FAMILY...keep away from the hallcest and everyone is happy.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
KIVO hummus & salads were great
Pandini's is always there for crap food
As soon as you're 21 - invent in refillable growlers at Iron Hill
Late Night Runs to SHEETZ during study sessions is totally trashy, but completely worth it
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Everything? Sure drink, party, have fun - thats what every campus has and trust me F&M is NO exception....we're hard workers but we can play harder. But if you're going to party - do it right. If there's a theme dress up, go all out - no one likes the guy who's too cool to care.
BUT some of the most memorable things for me were the other activities. Going to DC with Hillel even though you're not Jewish because they were seeing an awesome exhibit and joining them for Shabbat dinners to learn something new. Hopping on a bus to NYC to see Avenue Q and laughing so hard your stomach hurt for two days. Going to see Vagina Monologues each year on Valentines Day (and learning that whatever bottle you put champagne in, if you seal up the carbonation it will always open with a POP). Go to the Dances! They're hokey sure, but they're fun. The fairs and carnivals in the Quad are amazing - Ben's Birthday will always be a blast and Spring Arts is something Alumni STILL come back for.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I adored each minute - but its what you make of it. If you want to go see some woman lecturing on an obscure topic that sounds interesting to you - go! If you're friend forces you into taking salsa classes with her - why not? When she suggests trying the abs workout course next...Be prepared to hurt for a week, but go anyways! Never before or since have I had so many amazing things available to me at once. It'll be the best decision you've ever made - but you've got to be willing to make it that.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Too many to list - and believe me the College Activities fair will be OVERWHELMING with enthusiastic students....but if you decide their isn't a club you're interested in - go to the dean, get the funding and make one! Make your tuition work for you.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
LOVE!
If you're a guy - pledge freshman year or the party scene WILL BE ROUGH for awhile. Technically past first semester freshman year, guys are not allowed into parties unless they are a brother or on the brother's guest list.
As far as sororities go, I have my bias - and I always will; but joining this group of girls was the best decision I've ever made and they still hold an amazing place in my heart.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Its well lit - there are blue lights everywhere and public safety patrolling constantly. I've never felt unsafe walking across campus or to my College Row Apt. Plus its so pretty at night. But as far as walking far distances to parties goes? Always walk with a group or take the bus when possible, and know where you're going.
In regard to our campus safety officers? They NEVER used to check the substance free dorm; its actually where some of the roudiest dorm parties went down. But in general, they're not too strict....just don't be stupid. Don't get caught peeing on Ben, if you're not walking in a straight line - have a friend help you, and try not to get sick until you're safely into the bathrooms at the dorms (preferably at all - but no one's perfect). They're not there to ruin your night, they're there to make sure you're safe.
Franklin & Marshall is about the liberal arts experience. You are not there to become a doctor, or a lawyer or a business professional; you are there to learn, to create, and to explore. This school emphasizes that this is the ONE CHANCE in your life where you will have all of these opportunities available to you so easily, so take advantage of it!
(1) Be prepared to READ (2) Be realistic & Prioritize...sometimes, like it or not - there aren't enough hours in the day. (3) Plan out your schedule: the parties are amazing from fraternities to sports to movie nights on the quad - whatever you'll be doing Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights....count on NOT having them available for work....find other times that do (4) ALWAYS plan meals with friends - no matter how busy you are or how crazy your schedule; the work will be hard, but pandinis will always make an amazing chicken caesar salad and Iron Hill's seafood bisque is out of this world. But, in a time crunch - d-hall will suffice.
Go to office hours!!! Even if its just to say hello - teachers here THRIVE on interacting and talking with their students. The more you're around them, the more they know you care. Classes are usually fairly small, but regardless if your class is 5 people or 50 you NEVER want your professor to have to hesitate for a second when glancing at that gradebook - you want them to know your face, voice and handwriting instantly. They're great people and they're their to help.
Be nice to your hall - no hallcest. As a past resident & RA I can tell you that you will be taking your freshmen seminar with these students AND living with them for at least your first two years. Its convenient freshman year to think its a good idea to fall for the cute guy or girl across the hall...but when things go bad on Friday and you have to sit next to them in class Monday...then pass them everyday on the way to class or the bathroom for the next two years? No one wants that drama. They're your friends, your FAMILY...keep away from the hallcest and everyone is happy.
KIVO hummus & salads were great Pandini's is always there for crap food As soon as you're 21 - invent in refillable growlers at Iron Hill Late Night Runs to SHEETZ during study sessions is totally trashy, but completely worth it
Everything? Sure drink, party, have fun - thats what every campus has and trust me F&M is NO exception....we're hard workers but we can play harder. But if you're going to party - do it right. If there's a theme dress up, go all out - no one likes the guy who's too cool to care. BUT some of the most memorable things for me were the other activities. Going to DC with Hillel even though you're not Jewish because they were seeing an awesome exhibit and joining them for Shabbat dinners to learn something new. Hopping on a bus to NYC to see Avenue Q and laughing so hard your stomach hurt for two days. Going to see Vagina Monologues each year on Valentines Day (and learning that whatever bottle you put champagne in, if you seal up the carbonation it will always open with a POP). Go to the Dances! They're hokey sure, but they're fun. The fairs and carnivals in the Quad are amazing - Ben's Birthday will always be a blast and Spring Arts is something Alumni STILL come back for.
I adored each minute - but its what you make of it. If you want to go see some woman lecturing on an obscure topic that sounds interesting to you - go! If you're friend forces you into taking salsa classes with her - why not? When she suggests trying the abs workout course next...Be prepared to hurt for a week, but go anyways! Never before or since have I had so many amazing things available to me at once. It'll be the best decision you've ever made - but you've got to be willing to make it that.
Too many to list - and believe me the College Activities fair will be OVERWHELMING with enthusiastic students....but if you decide their isn't a club you're interested in - go to the dean, get the funding and make one! Make your tuition work for you.
LOVE! If you're a guy - pledge freshman year or the party scene WILL BE ROUGH for awhile. Technically past first semester freshman year, guys are not allowed into parties unless they are a brother or on the brother's guest list. As far as sororities go, I have my bias - and I always will; but joining this group of girls was the best decision I've ever made and they still hold an amazing place in my heart.
Its well lit - there are blue lights everywhere and public safety patrolling constantly. I've never felt unsafe walking across campus or to my College Row Apt. Plus its so pretty at night. But as far as walking far distances to parties goes? Always walk with a group or take the bus when possible, and know where you're going. In regard to our campus safety officers? They NEVER used to check the substance free dorm; its actually where some of the roudiest dorm parties went down. But in general, they're not too strict....just don't be stupid. Don't get caught peeing on Ben, if you're not walking in a straight line - have a friend help you, and try not to get sick until you're safely into the bathrooms at the dorms (preferably at all - but no one's perfect). They're not there to ruin your night, they're there to make sure you're safe.