<p>Hi, I am an international student accepted by Franklin & Marshall and Union College in Schenectady, NY, and receive very generous financial aids from both of them. I feel that the two colleges are similar in many ways, and it is very difficult for me to decide which one to choose. Could any one give me some advice? Many thanks!</p>
<p>Here's a quickie for you (others can weigh in with more relevant input):</p>
<p>I went to Union, have a daughter who is a Jr at F&M. Union a prettier campus, but much colder climate. In terms of the cities...I think Schenectady is a step behind Lancaster, but not by that much, and I <em>guess</em> having Albany nearby is helpful if you have an interest in government (state capital).</p>
<p>I liked the trimester situation at Union...the academic year broken into three courses for each of three terms (I presume it's the same)...allows you to better concentrate on the subject matter.</p>
<p>New President at F&M (had a good rep at Penn before arriving two years ago)seems to be driving an emphasis on student housing to get more of the upper class back on campus...it's an outlier vis-a-vis its peer group of PA schools in terms of upperclassmen who live off campus...but it may be quite similar to Union, for all I know.</p>
<p>Union either has a very new President or is in the process of getting on after a successful tenure of the most recent one.</p>
<p>In terms of social life, both are fairly active Greek settings, Union calling itself "The Mother of Fraternities" for it's historical basis for having started the first three socail fraternaties in the country (the older Phi Beta Kappa being an academic fraternal organization, not a social one). I think the Union fraterities have a more <em>mature</em> relationship with the administration than their F&M couterparts...in terms of volunteer service to the community and the like.</p>
<p>What's your area of interest? That may help shape the comments of other CCers.</p>