Dickinson vs Franklin Marshall

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have current or recent grad students at either that can speak to the culture at either school? Liberal vs conservative vs sporty vs intellectual and all of that stuff? DC trying to decide between the two, and visits/tours don't always give the full picture.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have a kid at F&M but I don’t know Dickinson that well. They are more similar than different. Neither is super political. My kid complains the workload at F&M is a grind but maybe that would be true for him anywhere. He liked F&M better for science, but I can’t remember what that was based on.

[Anonymous]

I agree that these two colleges probably have more in common than not. I’ve visited Dickinson and it has a good mix of students. Some seemed more preppy, sporty and preprofessional but the school also appears to have an artsy and creative contingency as well (their music program is quite robust, which appeals to my kid). It just seemed like a very friendly well-rounded student body. Study abroad is really big at Dickinson, in case that’s of interest to your student.

I believe choosing between Dickinson and F&M would come down to fit/vibe and maybe drilling down on academic areas of interest. Dickinson offers a somewhat unusual language that my student wants to study and isn’t available at all colleges.

[Anonymous]

my dd graduated from dickinson in 22. she had a great experience - very involved in school, athlete, got a great job from an alum & is still an active alum and keeps in touch with her advisor.

[Anonymous]

Both of these schools are on DC’s list, too. Aiming to visit during spring break.

[Anonymous]

We've known a few kids at Dickinson and they all LOVED it. Very well-rounded kids who are all into different things -- sports, music, the farm.

F&M seems a little more eggheady to me, but that might just be the kids I know. They are both good schools and would be a fine choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've known a few kids at Dickinson and they all LOVED it. Very well-rounded kids who are all into different things -- sports, music, the farm.

F&M seems a little more eggheady to me, but that might just be the kids I know. They are both good schools and would be a fine choice.

Thank you Dickinson Admissions.

[Anonymous]

Gettysburg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gettysburg

Thanks so much for your totally unhelpful comment. Any other school you'd like to throw in there? Idiot.

[Anonymous]

DS is attending Dickinson as an athlete. Has a lot of great friends, is doing well academically and athletically--and hates it. Really wants to transfer (sophomore). Says it's insanely liberally--I pointed out we're liberal and he said we're not blue haired liberal furries. Whatever that is supposed to mean. I don't know if he means the student body or the administration. I'm actually in a bit of a quandary about whether to let him try to transfer or try to talk him out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at F&M but I don’t know Dickinson that well. They are more similar than different. Neither is super political. My kid complains the workload at F&M is a grind but maybe that would be true for him anywhere. He liked F&M better for science, but I can’t remember what that was based on.

Boy or girl, athlete, musician, theater geek, what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is attending Dickinson as an athlete. Has a lot of great friends, is doing well academically and athletically--and hates it. Really wants to transfer (sophomore). Says it's insanely liberally--I pointed out we're liberal and he said we're not blue haired liberal furries. Whatever that is supposed to mean. I don't know if he means the student body or the administration. I'm actually in a bit of a quandary about whether to let him try to transfer or try to talk him out of it.

What specifically makes it “insanely liberal”? Have there been certain incidents or is it more the overall vibe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gettysburg

Thanks so much for your totally unhelpful comment. Any other school you'd like to throw in there? Idiot.

Screw you nerd. OP's kid clearly isn't fully sold on either Dickinson or F&M despite visiting both so why not check out a nearby peer school that draws from the same applicant pool?

[Anonymous]

Dickinson has been amazing. The teachers are terrific. The small class sizes make everybody engaged. The dining hall gets everyone together a couple of times a day. So much is packed into that great college.

[Anonymous]

My son is at Dickinson. He does not find the student body “insanely liberal”. It is actually a really nice and well grounded set of kids. It’s a wonderful place!