Lafayette and Gettysburg?

[Anonymous]

DD (4.43 w/GPA, 34 ACT, 8 APs, NoVA Public) has her EA apps in and is looking for a couple of private LACs to apply to RD before the deadline. Nothing too far away.

We've been looking at these two. Any thoughts on the culture/vibe? She wants to major in Biology. Not into frats or sports, and I understand these two schools have both, but interested in the academics.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD (4.43 w/GPA, 34 ACT, 8 APs, NoVA Public) has her EA apps in and is looking for a couple of private LACs to apply to RD before the deadline. Nothing too far away.

We've been looking at these two. Any thoughts on the culture/vibe? She wants to major in Biology. Not into frats or sports, and I understand these two schools have both, but interested in the academics.

Thanks.

Gettysburg frats hard. Lafayette a little less, but as a D1 school it has a little more of a sports culture. Nothing like an SEC or Big 10 school, though. Both are SLACs in out-of-the-way locations, so your daughter should visit and make sure she thinks the social scene on campus works for her, as it isn't like she'll be able to retreat into the surrounding city for entertainment. Lafayette is a little higher ranked and carries slightly more prestige, but both are solid schools that offer a fine liberal arts education.

[Anonymous]

I know people who went to both and liked them. Has she looked at Franklin & Marshall? My impression is that it's a little less fratty than Lafayette.

[Anonymous]

Depends on what you're looking for, but with those stats I'd add some more reachy LACs.

[Anonymous]

If my B+/no score kid is any indication this is a noticeably easier admission season and yours will get in at those schools you mention easily. He’s gotten in everywhere and with generous “merit aid”, aka tuition discount. LACs in the 40’s/50’s US News.

[Anonymous]

As a non-engineering (and non-bio) Bucknell alumnus, I've been to both. I would pick Bucknell over both. My understanding is that Bucknell has become less fraternity based that it was in my time (99-03); however, all three of these schools had a similar drinking MO. On the sports spectum, outside of basketball, I would say NCAA sports are low priority at Bucknell. NCAA sports are a bigger deal at Lafayette and much less at Gettysburg.

[Anonymous]

With her stats, she should receive merit money. My DS with a little lower SAT’s, received 20K per year. He ended up at another school.

[Anonymous]

Oops, forgot to mention that the merit was from Lafayette.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who did STEM at Muhlenberg and liked it a lot fwiw (and is currently in a grad program).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD (4.43 w/GPA, 34 ACT, 8 APs, NoVA Public) has her EA apps in and is looking for a couple of private LACs to apply to RD before the deadline. Nothing too far away.

We've been looking at these two. Any thoughts on the culture/vibe? She wants to major in Biology. Not into frats or sports, and I understand these two schools have both, but interested in the academics.

Thanks.

Gettysburg frats hard. Lafayette a little less, but as a D1 school it has a little more of a sports culture. Nothing like an SEC or Big 10 school, though. Both are SLACs in out-of-the-way locations, so your daughter should visit and make sure she thinks the social scene on campus works for her, as it isn't like she'll be able to retreat into the surrounding city for entertainment. Lafayette is a little higher ranked and carries slightly more prestige, but both are solid schools that offer a fine liberal arts education.

Wow, things must have changed from the mid-90s. I can't think of a school that "fratted harder" than Lafayette, except maybe Lehigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD (4.43 w/GPA, 34 ACT, 8 APs, NoVA Public) has her EA apps in and is looking for a couple of private LACs to apply to RD before the deadline. Nothing too far away.

We've been looking at these two. Any thoughts on the culture/vibe? She wants to major in Biology. Not into frats or sports, and I understand these two schools have both, but interested in the academics.

Thanks.

Gettysburg frats hard. Lafayette a little less, but as a D1 school it has a little more of a sports culture. Nothing like an SEC or Big 10 school, though. Both are SLACs in out-of-the-way locations, so your daughter should visit and make sure she thinks the social scene on campus works for her, as it isn't like she'll be able to retreat into the surrounding city for entertainment. Lafayette is a little higher ranked and carries slightly more prestige, but both are solid schools that offer a fine liberal arts education.

Wow, things must have changed from the mid-90s. I can't think of a school that "fratted harder" than Lafayette, except maybe Lehigh.

According to common data sets, Gettysburg's Greek participation rate is 31%, Lafayette's 26%. But those numbers are deceiving for a couple of reasons. One, rush doesn't happen at either school until sophomore year, but freshmen, who can't frat, are included in those percentages. Among the students who are actually eligible, more like 40-50% frat. The reported numbers also don't capture the subjective sense of dominance the Greek system has over the social scene, which, at least based on the students I know at both places, is greater at Gettysburg.

[Anonymous]

Gettysburg has been discovered by the DMV moneyed set whose progeny can't get into a Top 20 SLAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on what you're looking for, but with those stats I'd add some more reachy LACs.

OP here. DD has her heart set on one local "National Public Honors College" (I think you can guess what that school is ), but we want to send out a few more applications just to see what happens.

I think she's going to add Hamilton to her list as a "reachy" LAC (her current favorite school lists it as an "aspirant peer" institution) as well as Dickinson College to see if she can get merit money.

Gettysburg will stay on the list, because it's close and we're not sure about Lafayette.

Thanks for all the input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know people who went to both and liked them. Has she looked at Franklin & Marshall? My impression is that it's a little less fratty than Lafayette.

DD’s friend is a freshman at F&M and ADORES it. No merit aid but a wonderful LAC

[Anonymous]

Our son loves Gettysburg College. It’s academically challenging and has a great lacrosse program. The kids are busy and motivated. They also offer an elaborate internship program for professional work. Most kids have jobs or are in graduate school right after they graduate. Great school.