<p>We looked at these two schools in the same day and now they are really a blur. They are so similar in many ways, I am looking for distinguishing characteristics. I guess one piece that I am still unsure about it that unquantifiable--what kind of kids go there? Is there any difference in terms of "type" or "style", political leanings, etc? </p>
<p>Any info is much appreciated!</p>
<p>My D’s impression of F&M is very strong for those interested in pre-law and pre-med. In fact she noticed their Accepted Day included a special session geared toward those types of students. (She said something like +90% acceptance rates to law & med schools.)</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard F&M offers a somewhat more intense acdemic atmosphere. Lots of pre-med and pre-law students, as irvinemom notes. The high acceptance rates have some correlation to the numbers who are “washed out” during freshman and sophomore year. The kids I have known who have graduated from Dickinson have gone into the diplomatic corps, as might be expected from a school that stresses study abroad, the law and museology. F&M is more connected to the urban east coast – located in a much larger city and only an hour from Philly via Amtrak’s Keystone Service. On the other hand Dickinson is only a couple blocks from downtown Carlisle, while F&M is on the outskirts of Lancaster. I didn’t get the sense that the students differed all that much from one another politically. Maybe a bit more of a social atmosphere at Dickinson. Also, F&M selects 70% of their students through ED, which might indicate a slightly wealthier student body.</p>
<p>Although each of these schools has a “sticker price” of about 50K per year, 68% percent of F&M students receive financial aid compared to 58% at Dickinson. On the other hand, an “average” student receiving financial aid at Dickinson gets a $20K institutional grant, while an “average” student receiving financial aid at F&M gets a $16,500 institutional grant per year, according to nces.ed.gov. Like all LACs, the wealthier students support the less wealthy students, but the divide appears more pronounced at Dickinson.</p>
<p>Hmmm…70% ED, 68% financial aid…something is definitely amiss with the F&M numbers…</p>
<p>We visited Dickinson and F&M on two consecutive days during S#2’s high school spring break. We visited Dickinson for one of their high school junior special visit days, which might color our perceptions a bit. Although on paper the two colleges look quite similar, we noticed the following differences beyone those noted above:</p>
<p>1) Somewhat larger greek presence at F&M, although Dickinson is by no means frat-free</p>
<p>2) At Dickinson they are quite aware and proud of their heritage from founder Benjamin Rush, who wanted to establish a uniquely American “useful” education</p>
<p>3) At the presentation for HS juniors and their families the VP for Enrollment gave a good talk about how the college search should be more about personal exploration (knowing yourself) than a stressful competition. The college president gave a very nice talk about the joys and virtues of a liberal education, pointing out that he majored in German Lit and Philosophy (I think), had been an Air Force Office, a diplomat, a business executive and now a college president.</p>
<p>4) By way of contrast, in a conversation with a professor at F&M, we were told that the typical Diplomat is driven, goal oriented, and an extremely hard worker. Their eyes are “on the prize,” which often entails professional or graduate school. We got the impression that the students (to a large extent) viewed their time at F&M as preparation for their next school (med, law, business or grad) and a stepping stone to their career.</p>
<p>5) This is not to say that Dickinson does not do well in professional/graduate school placement, but may speak more to the personality of the students.</p>
<p>Of course these observations are based on 1 visit to each school lasting 5-6 hours at each place. But it seems consistent with what I’ve read elsewhere.</p>
<p>Regarding the campuses. D went to CTY at both campuses, so this is just from observations not at the academic level. Dickinson has an awesome library, but other than that, F&M’s campus is much nicer…buildings are much more attractive. Dickinson’s buildings mostly had a 60-ish feel to them, and there seems to be a lot more things in walking distance of F&M’s campus.</p>
<p>astromom,
I actually had a different impression about the surroundings of each campus. Dickinson is right in the middle of Carlisle, with many nice smaller, older shops and restaurants within a block or two. F&M seems to be in an area of Lancaster that is not quite so nice. They have recently built brand new multi-use complexes across the street, with up-scale chain restaurants and shops on the ground floor and student apartments above. Behind the new development there is a parking lot and a large train yard. There were a couple of armed robberies in the vicinity of campus in the week or so before we visited. Not that I would necessarily worry about safety at F&M, but it was consistent with my perceptions of some of the neighborhoods in the vicinity.</p>
<p>Both F&M and Dickinson have very new science centers. F&M’s looked a little bigger. The Dickinison folks said theirs is only 1/2 complete; there is a third wing in the planning stages (though I don’t know if the funding is complete, which could delay construction).</p>
<p>The Dickinsonian (Dickinson’s student newspaper) has reported this academic year on a murder adjacent to the campus, the armed robbery of a student, a visiting prospective student who was hit by a drunk driver on campus and a deranged guy who was harrassing students in the college library (which is indeed quite impressive). None of these incidents means that Dickinson is exceptionally unsafe. Stuff happens. At Dickinson. At F&M. At just about any college you can name.</p>
<p>BTW, when I was at F&M back in January the press was carrying a story about the State investing money to have the old railroad yard removed. It is supposed to be replaced by new athletic fields for F&M. Not sure what the timetable is on this though.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your well thought out impressions. I am also just trying to figure out why Dickinson has more of what we like, but somehow we ended the day slightly preferring F&M. Maybe it was just the “liking the most recent visit more” phenomenon (We saw Dickinson in the morning, F&M in the afternoon). Or maybe it’s as simple as liking red brick!! Just wondering if the preference has substance. </p>
<p>Also, it’s just hard to know where things might be better socially. My daughter is pretty passionate about environmental issues, is liberal, and is unlikely to join a sorority. She is attracted to schools that offer a lot of weekend activities, outing club trips, movies, etc, so that partying is not the only option. </p>
<p>That is not to say that she needs to be surrounded only by people like her, just that she would probably be happier where there are a good number of people who share her interests.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>