College Snapshot: Franklin & Marshall

Spring means college visits here at College MatchPoint. As part of an educational consultants tour, we recently visited the Lancaster, PA campus of Franklin & Marshall, a private, liberal arts school with 2,300 students. A pretty campus, F&M has convenient access to both Philly and NYC via Amtrak. Students don't necessarily feel the need to rush off campus, however, since Lancaster itself is a bustling city with a number of art galleries, theaters, coffee shops, and vintage boutiques. 

The college prides itself on its small class sizes and access to professors, as well as opportunities for individualized learning and research. The president of the college called the academic environment "collaborative, not competitive," and a student panel we attended echoed that sentiment by saying that all student voices were respected on campus. Typical F&M students are described as "passionate and dedicated," and students on campus tend to engage in a wide variety of clubs and activities. 


Fast Facts:


  • 60% of students receive aid
  • SAT optional (30% of admitted students didn't take entrance exam)
  • ACT average 29-30
  • Grades and rigor of coursework most important
  • Interviews (in person or via Skype) very important, as is demonstrated interest


Fun Facts:



  • Freshman are assigned to "houses" at F&M (think dorm); while students do not necessarily live in the same"house" all four years, they do remain affiliated with it all four years--this promotes strong social bonds and some wonderful college traditions
  • Study abroad can be any semester
  • Lancaster is home to the oldest farmer's market in the nation
  • 35% of student body involved in Greek life
  • Professors live in nearby housing purchased by college
  • College commits to students beyond college; F&M has staff members assigned to grads for 5 years after graduation to help launch careers


Give Lisa at College MatchPoint a call if you want to learn more about Franklin & Marshall!

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