Franklin & Marshall is the quintessential small liberal arts college, nestled among the picturesque Amish country of Lancaster, PA while retaining close proximity to the city of Lancaster. Within brick buildings lie impressive archives of knowledge, motivated students, and professors who are genuinely passionate about teaching undergraduates. This school has something for anyone, be they students of the humanities, natural sciences, business/economics, or arts, and it especially has much to offer to students who have no clue what they want to do with their life other than receive a well-rounded liberal arts education.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Itâ??s okay to not know what you want to do coming in to college, but keep an open mind! There are so many opportunities- both personal and academic- available on campus that it is a shame to not want to at least think about exploring them. Also, be prepared to balance work and play; this is your time to discover and hone your passions!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Professors expect a high level of attendance and dedication, and students here are very hardworking and motivated to learn and do well. The workload is very manageable with good time management, and professors are available throughout the week during their office hours or by appointment/email should you have any questions for them. Since F&M is a liberal arts college, there are general education requirements that require students to take at least one class in the humanities, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, foreign languages, non-western, and writing (which is typically fulfilled by the freshman seminar).
Describe the dorm life at your college.
There are five different â??housesâ?? into which freshmen can be sorted, a very Hogwartsian notion. â??Sortingâ?? is based on the mandatory freshmen seminar that is chosen by the incoming student before arriving at F&M, so that everyone in your seminar lives on your hall. Halls in all houses are coed, and there are about 4 bathrooms on each hall; in certain houses, there is a substance free floor on which students can request to be placed. On every floor, there are common rooms with couches and tables, and every house has a Great room and Fireplace room on the first floor. Houses also host events, speakers, and programs that are either available only to the residents or to anyone in the College.
Different people have different ideas of what is considered â??fun,â?? but there are many different options available on the weekends or even during the week. Clubs and groups on campus are constantly putting on different activities such as open-mic nights, improv shows, concerts, sports events, etc., but there is also a party scene. The city of Lancaster is also an easy walk or bus ride away, so there is the option to spend a night on the town at theaters, markets, shops, restaurants, etc.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
This solely depends on how driven the individual student is. It is easy to become trapped in a bubble of ease and apathy, but the opportunities and resources on campus or through alumni are invaluable to those who work to find them. Professors and advisors are more than willing to help students get the most out of their time at F&M.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are tons of diverse clubs and activities to become involved with on campus. Even better, if there is a club or organization that is not already on campus, there is the option for individual students to create and start their own!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
60% of F&M students are involved in Greek life. This being said, Greek life in no way is an exclusive activity. It is still possible to meet people and be involved on campus even without Greek affiliation. Recruitment also happens during/at the end of the fall semester, so all students experience F&M from a non-Greek perspective before choosing to recruit/rush.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Public Safety (PSafe) is great. All the officers are friendly and diligent in their jobs. Other than the officers themselves, there are blue lights that allow students to contact authorities from anywhere on campus. Additionally, the school sends out mass texts and emails in the event of an attack, burglary, or break-in that happens either on or directly off-campus, even if the victims were not F&M students.
Franklin & Marshall is the quintessential small liberal arts college, nestled among the picturesque Amish country of Lancaster, PA while retaining close proximity to the city of Lancaster. Within brick buildings lie impressive archives of knowledge, motivated students, and professors who are genuinely passionate about teaching undergraduates. This school has something for anyone, be they students of the humanities, natural sciences, business/economics, or arts, and it especially has much to offer to students who have no clue what they want to do with their life other than receive a well-rounded liberal arts education.
Itâ??s okay to not know what you want to do coming in to college, but keep an open mind! There are so many opportunities- both personal and academic- available on campus that it is a shame to not want to at least think about exploring them. Also, be prepared to balance work and play; this is your time to discover and hone your passions!
Professors expect a high level of attendance and dedication, and students here are very hardworking and motivated to learn and do well. The workload is very manageable with good time management, and professors are available throughout the week during their office hours or by appointment/email should you have any questions for them. Since F&M is a liberal arts college, there are general education requirements that require students to take at least one class in the humanities, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, foreign languages, non-western, and writing (which is typically fulfilled by the freshman seminar).
There are five different â??housesâ?? into which freshmen can be sorted, a very Hogwartsian notion. â??Sortingâ?? is based on the mandatory freshmen seminar that is chosen by the incoming student before arriving at F&M, so that everyone in your seminar lives on your hall. Halls in all houses are coed, and there are about 4 bathrooms on each hall; in certain houses, there is a substance free floor on which students can request to be placed. On every floor, there are common rooms with couches and tables, and every house has a Great room and Fireplace room on the first floor. Houses also host events, speakers, and programs that are either available only to the residents or to anyone in the College.
No matter the institution, college students like to complain about food options on campus. Regardless, F&M has great variety and options for everyone, such as kosher and gluten-free fare alongside the typical pasta, salad, grill, sandwich, and pizza stations. Areas where meal swipes are applicable are not just restricted to the dining hall; there is a café on campus, as well as a dining area in the Steinman College Center.
Different people have different ideas of what is considered â??fun,â?? but there are many different options available on the weekends or even during the week. Clubs and groups on campus are constantly putting on different activities such as open-mic nights, improv shows, concerts, sports events, etc., but there is also a party scene. The city of Lancaster is also an easy walk or bus ride away, so there is the option to spend a night on the town at theaters, markets, shops, restaurants, etc.
This solely depends on how driven the individual student is. It is easy to become trapped in a bubble of ease and apathy, but the opportunities and resources on campus or through alumni are invaluable to those who work to find them. Professors and advisors are more than willing to help students get the most out of their time at F&M.
There are tons of diverse clubs and activities to become involved with on campus. Even better, if there is a club or organization that is not already on campus, there is the option for individual students to create and start their own!
60% of F&M students are involved in Greek life. This being said, Greek life in no way is an exclusive activity. It is still possible to meet people and be involved on campus even without Greek affiliation. Recruitment also happens during/at the end of the fall semester, so all students experience F&M from a non-Greek perspective before choosing to recruit/rush.
Public Safety (PSafe) is great. All the officers are friendly and diligent in their jobs. Other than the officers themselves, there are blue lights that allow students to contact authorities from anywhere on campus. Additionally, the school sends out mass texts and emails in the event of an attack, burglary, or break-in that happens either on or directly off-campus, even if the victims were not F&M students.