**Be Very, Very Sure that You Want a Small School Before Choosing Lafayette** (Current Student)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Lafayette College
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<p>Thank you to itclueless for your highly informational post. I feel that here on CC, if you don’t have wonderful things to say about a school, you somehow receive “negative” replies. Or posters assume it’s “your fault” for not trying hard enough or finding the right people, whatever. In fact, sometimes a student is expressing an honest opinion that can be very helpful. Truthfully, when a school has a rep reply to questions and continuously providing information here on CC, it is somewhat biased. (Yes, I know captainclueless, you started posting as a student, however while you are entitled to your opinion, it does not necessarily reflect the “typical” student’s opinion - clearly Lafayette has been a great experience for you, and you are fortunate.) Ideally it would be nice to hear different points of view - from students with various majors, interests, etc. (greek life participant and non-participant, athlete and non-athlete, male and female, etc…)</p>

<p>It is worthwhile information for those trying to decide if a college is a good fit, to have a wealth of knowledge, including a post like that of itclueless. It is actually not even a “negative” post - I read it as information that a reader should use to decide if their student may have a similar experience, based on his/her personality, major, interest, etc. If your kid is a frat type or STEM type or athlete, or has a style as described by itcluessless - then it sounds like Lafayette may be perfect. But if your kid is more like itclueless - then take this into consideration. Of course with a grain of salt - but the whole point of using CC is to help make a decision, given as much information as possible.</p>

<p>Every forum repeatedly suggests visiting multiple times. This is not always feasible (money, distance, high school schedule, work, etc…) For us, only 1 visit was possible for any school. Additionally, I don’t think what itclueless has experienced could be detected in a visit. Even if you sit for lunch and observe the students, and ask questions. Let’s face it, the tour guides are the “rah rah I love school X” (and I don’t blame the school - this is marketing). Not to mention their answers to questions are biased “yes tons to do here!”. This is not a typical student - this is a carefully chosen and trained student. </p>

<p>Please don’t misunderstand my post. I am just trying to express my appreciation for information that may not present the school in an ideal light, yet may be helpful to many readers. Thank you itclueless - I think your post is very specific and clear. And I wish you luck and a great experience in your new school. </p>

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<p>ReginaPhilange- This doesn’t change anything that you said, but I just wanted to clarify that while I am a representative of the school, I <em>am</em> still a student here (I’m a junior)</p>

<p>Taylor</p>

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<p>@ReginaPhilange - I don’t think itclueless’ post was taken negatively by the forum. A LAC is not the right choice for every student (in fact my S had no interest in attending a LAC and chose a mid sized university). It is up to every student to assess the environment at the schools he or she is considering and look for the best fit. </p>

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<p>Interesting discussion from a complete outsider who looked at the school seriously for my son over last year (including an open house on the most perfect weather day in the history of Easton in October) but eventually he has landed elsewhere.</p>

<p>As a State University grad, I’m always amazed by the notion that size creates social opportunity. My experience is that scale actually enables isolation. Finding 20 people just like you within 20,000 makes it easier to stay inside that bubble than if there were only 2 of you at a school of 2,000. If you’re not involved in the greek system at Lafayette, don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re going to be greek at Penn State…their greeks are the same, there are just more of them. </p>

<p>As for STEM, all schools are now “pushing” those areas because parents have become more interested in obvious roads to (assumed) employability. What amazing, is the irony in what’s driving success within the really “hot” schools like Olin…creativity and collaboration, not technical skill. Consider the cycle…</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Liberal Arts “thinkers” are migrating toward skills based STEM majors…</p></li>
<li><p>STEM is so popular that many schools “differentiate” by selling collaboration and creativity…</p></li>
<li><p>Creativity, critical thinking and communication are hallmarks of the Liberal Arts Schools.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I truly believe there are about a dozen schools, small, primarily liberal arts colleges that have STEM / Engineering majors which will gain more and more attention as their graduates more into the workforce. Lafayette is one of those schools that, with the new leadership and continued commitment to liberal arts, will thrive. </p>

<p>In the end Lafayette wasn’t for us, and it may not be for those looking for a larger eco-system, but it’s a wonderful place. </p>

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<p>@happy1- As someone else pointed out, the gender lines are very real. </p>

<p>@EyeVeee- Thanks for the comment, but I’m a little hesitant to agree with the idea that greeks at a larger school are “all the same.” I feel as if a larger greek scene is far more conducive to finding one’s niche. With just 4 fraternities, there’s a very high chance that all 4 will be close to the stereotypical “bro” organization, tribe mentality and all. However, at a school like PSU or UMD, there are so many fraternities that even the most obscure sounding group will have it’s own greek organization. Upon visiting the University of Maryland last fall, I noticed signs for rush events for everything from social engineering fraternities to fraternities that were concerned with environmental consciousness. This is something Lafayette will never have. As for the second portion of your comment, I very much hope Lafayette chooses to invest more in the creative end of this cycle. I’m looking for a place that has far more programs that are based on creativity, and although I can see Lafayette being a place like this in the not-so-distant future, it certainly isn’t now. </p>

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<p>As the title implies, the complaint about Lafayette’s <em>perceived</em> lack of social opportunities is not a complaint about Lafayette, but a lack of fit with small schools. Lafayette culture is not dramatically different from many other small liberal arts colleges like Amherst, Colgate, Williams, Bucknell, Swarthmore, Vassar etc… Yet, like Bucknell, Colgate or Lehigh, the school has DI sports and frats. Compared to Lehigh, Bucknell, Colgate (peers in the Patriot League) Lafayette is usually seen as a little tamer with regard to parties and frats. </p>

<p>During our most recent visit, we were shown around by a young woman from NYC. This astute city girl said she chose Lafayette because of its academic rigor and the authentic, kind people she met on campus. I asked if her perception was proven true after spending tine there and she replied, “Most definitely. It was the right choice.” </p>

<p>So, yes, affirm the small school nature of Lafayette, but don’t beat up on the school because it is not Penn State.</p>

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<p>I only used the fraternity example because a commenter made the claim that greek life at bigger schools is the same as it is at Lafayette. I don’t think I would agree that mentioning how Lafayette doesn’t have a lot of diversity in greek life (racially and interest/service-oriented) is the same as beating up on the school. This is not specific to small schools, there are schools that are Lafayette’s size with far more accepting greek life (such as Union College, which is smaller). I’m also a little confused by the comment about the tour guide, I praised the academics and never said anything negative about the students so I’m not quite sure why you brought that up?</p>

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<p>Solid points @itclueless. You’ve been fair, honest and academic in your posts. I could have just seconded @dodgersmom 's statement >>I think this needs to be retitled, “Be Very, Very Sure that You Want a Small School Before Choosing a Small School.”<< I recently read a similar post that had a much darker rant about the same topic and I reacted a bit as I see small schools as great places to study. </p>

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<p>Thanks so much. And small schools can be excellent places to study, I just wanted prospectives to realize that it there are specific types of people that will not appreciate Lafayette, or even just small schools in general.</p>

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<p>Just wanted to share my son’s (recent grad) experience at Lafayette. He wanted a small school with engineering, so Lafayette was a clear front runner. He was not interested in the frat experience, but found his “people” via participation in Pep Band all through. He also was in Concert Band. Re sports, he had fun as part of the club Quidditch team for a couple of years. Of course the Pep Band played at football and basketball games so they felt like part of the sports scene even though in a supportive role.</p>

<p>Re the comment about drinking in dorms on weekend nights
(“the vast majority (I would say around 85-90%) of non-athlete and non-greek students choosing to drink in residence halls every weekend night”),
I would dispute that. Perhaps readers will say that I am deluded or that my son was an outlier. Also admit that Itclueless is there as a student and I clearly never was! But I am confident that was not the case with my kid’s experience, so would say it was not universal. My son chose to start out in a substance-free housing situation (and yes, some students were there only because of parental pressure and did drink against the rules) but for him and for his core friends group, alcohol was not a major focus. Really and truly. They had their own (donut focused!) parties and also participated in college sponsored events such as concerts, dances, etc. and I recall their having a lot of fun with a team campus scavenger hunt, as one example. The big campus drinking scene he mentioned was the night of the annual Lafayette-Lehigh game, and his buds dreaded it. But that was the only mention I recall of an alcohol dominated experience.</p>

<p>Lafayette worked out great for my son and we feel fortunate that he had such an option available. It did seem like a small world to me and would not have been the right place for my other kid, but it worked well for this one. For some the smallness and somewhat preppy/conventional scene may make it not to their liking.</p>

<p>I do notice that the school leadership seems to be encouraging more liberal-artsy programs and am glad to see it growing in that area.</p>

<p>Itclueless, best wishes to you as you move to a school that is a better fit for you. Would love to learn what that school is. Thanks for sharing your experiences.</p>

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<p>This is very interesting, although I will definitely stand by my figure. Mainly because after doing some research, I found out that it is very similar to the school’s number. That being said, it is very admirable albeit unique that he was able to have such a great experience substance free. I think I’ll be going to the University of Maryland and studying English and Marketing with a minor in tech entrepreneurship while experiencing anything and everything that college has to offer.</p>

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<p>I just wanted to say that as a mom whose child is just beginning the college search (and in fact is going to see several colleges including Lafayette, over April vacation) I really appreciate this thread and the different perspectives on it. itclueless, what your wrote about your future course of study at U. of Md. really helped me to understand what you meant when you said you were transferring for academic reasons, i.e. a wider variety of topics. I think it takes a lot of maturity and courage to first realize and accept that where you are, although there are good things including close friends, is not the best place for you, and then to find another school that has what you want. I’m sure that you will do great in your studies next year, make other friends in addition the ones you already have, and really flourish.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for the kind comment, glad I could offer an otherwise unseen perspective to you and your prospective student. To any students reading this who are in a similar position to me, do not let the competitiveness and prestige of your school get in the way of pursuing what you love at a campus that fits your needs. Your undergraduate years are not something to be looked back upon as mediocre, or as something that you just “got through.” Your college should be a place where you can thrive socially and extracurricularly, as well as academically. </p>

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<p>Congrats to Lafayette for providing a great resource in Captain Clueless! It is impossible to have an honest conversation with Admissions Officer. As a “frat guy” I agree that frats smother social life; but in my case there was nothing else available to energetic 19 year-olds back in the day. On the surface Lafayette, Swarthmore, Trinity and Union seem to offer the best of both worlds…LAC and engineering. D1 seems like a big distraction. Anyhoo…son and I look forward to Junior Day next week! </p>

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<p>@captainclueless‌ and @itclueless, I’ll ask both of your opinions. Guidance counselor has suggested we consider Lafayette. D2 is a geek planning to major in Math/Physics with interests in scifi/fantasy and live action role play (LARPing). It sounds like Lafayette could meet her academic needs, but are there clubs/student groups where she could meet likeminded friends? Couldn’t find any on the Lafayette website. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Sudsle,</p>

<p>There are <em>definitely</em> students here just like your son. The best example I can think of is that this year, we have a brand new special interest floor (for upperclassmen) called TRAP- Tabletop and Role-Playing Appreciation Program. It is filled with students who are really into scifi/fantasy and RPGs. In fact, this special interest floor has been so popular that it is expanding to two floors next year. I’ve never heard of a special interest floor doubling in size before. If your son decides to take advantage of that living option, he would be able to live with people who share his interests. </p>

<p>At Lafayette there are all kinds of students with various hobbies interests. Most people I know (myself included) have found it very easy to find a social group that suits them :)</p>

<p>Taylor</p>

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<p>Thanks, Taylor! Actually, she’s my daughter, but that’s great to know. </p>

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<p>You’re welcome! And my apologies! Just to clarify, women are welcome to live in TRAP (and I know several who do). :)</p>