<p>we can't figure out which one. does anyone have an opinion? on student review, over half the kids at f&m said they would not choose to go there. why?</p>
<p>We scratched f&m from D's list pretty early on - - too small, remote locale, frats more prominent than we'd like.</p>
<p>Franklin & Marshall College</p>
<p>"Franklin and Marshall is widely regarded as a school that “prepares students well for law school and medical school,” along with retaining “a stellar reputation in graduate school admissions departments,” but there’s more to F&M than a bunch of high-strung future doctors and lawyers. True, the school has earned a reputation as a pre-professional powerhouse through its “intense workload” and “very difficult grading structure,” conditions that some see as necessary in order to provide “an environment for intense personal and academic growth, and development of the skills necessary to achieve well-rounded success in life.” However, students deem the workload “far too academically demanding for an average liberal arts college.” But F&M also boasts “amazing departments in German, economics, history, government…and geology/environmental science,” among others. And in all areas—not just in the high-profile sciences and business—the school ensures that “independent research, especially for upperclassmen, is a vital part of the academic experience,” and that “there are enough resources that can be accessed to make good grades more easily attainable,” the “demanding” workload notwithstanding. Close student-teacher relationships help make the experience; professors here “are by far the greatest thing about this school. If you’re interested in doing something, you can always find a professor or other staff member who would love to help you.”" "F&M is “an extremely preppy school and many designers are flashed all around campus. Students are not afraid to show that they have money, but they are never in your face about it.” Not everyone here is a slave to fashion. “You have students that do not get all dressed up for class that just wear sweats and sweatshirt,” says a student. Along with those students “from boarding schools or expensive private schools,” you’ll find “a handful of international students, a smaller handful of minority students, and a few ‘townies.’ Everyone finds a niche, though.” The small campus sometimes feels smaller because students can be cliquish; undergrads here “can be broken into many groups: frats, sororities, specific athletic groups, similar interests (arts, music, etc).”" "“There is a grind at F&M” during the week, “not a bad one, but you have to be ready for it. Everyone takes his role as a student here very seriously: class, library, meetings, more class, more library, extracurriculars, most students follow this itinerary during the week.” Weeknight respites come in the form of “concerts, movies, amazing lectures and other things to break up the schedule.” For most, weekends “are a good time to relax and drink and forget about all of the work that has been done and still needs to be done in the week to come,” so “most students like to go to one or more of the numerous fraternity parties or they may go to a party in someone’s room or apartment.” And “If you aren’t into the drinking scene or the partying scene on campus”—and contrary to the school’s reputation, some students here aren’t—”you can go to Ben’s Underground, which is an alcohol-free, student-run club. Students can go to play pool or see comedians. It’s really a nice facility to use and open all week.” Also, “Athletics are fairly popular for a division three school, and the orchestra draws as well.” Hometown Lancaster offers “a bunch of art galleries, really good cafés, an old opera house that has great plays, and a concert venue that has pretty big name bands play.” However, by the time most students are juniors, “Lancaster and the frat scene get old, so older students take to the local bars and sometimes take road trips to…Philadelphia or Washington DC.”
Rank List</p>
<h1>19 Town-Gown Relations are Strained</h1>
<p>Connecticut College
"A “small liberal arts school with excellent academic standards” and an “interdisciplinary focus,” Connecticut College provides its students with “a wide range of academic programs.” The “enthusiastic,” “approachable and involved” professors here are “great teachers” who regularly “meet with students outside of class to address any concerns.” One student gushes, “I can honestly tell you that my professors have been some of the most inspiring, thought-provoking people I’ve ever met.” Perhaps most important, “There are no teaching assistants, ever.” The administration “can get a little exasperating,” but most of the top brass is “readily available” and dedicated to “making the college run smoothly.” Top programs include dance, chemistry, biological sciences, psychology, and international relations. Over half of all students study abroad during their 4 years here. The Career Center and internship programs receive solid praise as well: “A paid internship during the summer” after junior year is yours for the taking “if you complete all career services workshops,” says one student. The “student-adjudicated” honor code “is also huge.” “We wrote it; we enforce it,” explains one student. “It applies to noise in the dorms, cheating on tests, self-scheduled exams, and tolerance of sexual orientations.”" "Students here describe themselves as “open-minded, active, optimistic,” and “not overly competitive.” There is “a wide range of personalities” and “a good mix of hippies, jocks, book nerds, gamers, and conservatives.” A notable international student population exists as well. “Conn says that it has a very diverse campus, but that’s only if you’ve lived in a small New England town your whole life,” asserts a jaded first-year student. “There is some diversity and the diversity that exists is fully embraced, but there isn’t a huge variety of backgrounds.” “A ‘typical’ student at Conn is involved in three to four extracurricular activities,” including an intercollegiate athletic team. The typical student might also be “very rich,” “preppy,” and “from New England.” Such students “look like they walked off the pages of a J. Crew catalog,” comments one undergrad. Students are quick to emphasize, however, that stereotypes are often inaccurate: “We are not all trust-fund babies,” a sophomore explains. “More students are on financial aid than it may seem.” “There is a lot of wealth on this campus,” another student asserts, “but one thing I like about this college is that people don’t show their wealth off and everyone is able to get along with each other.” “Atypical students” do “tend to stick together,” though." "Connecticut College’s attractive and “very social” campus is its own little “close-knit” universe, complete with “a wide range of activities” and “a beautiful view of Long Island Sound and the ocean.” Without question, students here “have a lot of fun.” “Keg parties” are abundant, and “Small room parties are also popular.” Dances “are quite popular” as well. “Thursday and Saturday nights are the big going-out nights,” and there are “live bands every Friday.” “If you aren’t a party person, you can feel like an outsider,” observes a first-year student. “But at the same time, academics are extremely important” to Connecticut College students. Because the school doesn’t have Greek organizations, “It’s important to make friends and be involved” in students organizations like “activism groups” and intramural and intercollegiate sports. Students tell us that athletics could use “more money,” though, and “The fitness center and dorms need to be updated,” which the college is planning to complete by fall 2009. As far as off-campus life goes, the surrounding town of New London is not particularly accessible. “It’s hard or at least inconvenient to get off campus if you don’t have a car,” advises one student. If you do have a car—or if you take the train—”You can go to Boston or Providence or New York City for the weekend.”</p>
<p>Read the reviews of the college and decide which would fit you the best. Good Luck!!</p>
<p>I don't know if this is any help, but I live around F&M. It has a reputation as a decent school, but rarely does anyone from graduating class go there. (it's about 20 minutes from my school) Lancaster does have an okay city. I heard they're offering "first fridays" now with art galleries open and such on the first friday of every month. Honestly, not the most exciting area to be living in, especially as a college student.</p>
<p>I haven't found the Princeton Reviews' narratives to be particularly helpful. Too many students describe their experience the same way - - "we work hard and we play hard."</p>
<p>The one thing I recalled from visiting Conn College is that the students were almost uniformly attractive (which prompted D to remark, "Yeah, I'd really fit in here.")</p>
<p>I went to F&M years ago and toured both colleges several times with my kids in recent years. Both were accepted to both schools but chose to go elsewhere. I think they are both very fine schools with very similar student bodies. Naturally F&M pulls more from New York to Virginia and Conn. from New York up to Maine. I think most students at both schools are serious about their studies.</p>
<p>Some comments:</p>
<p>Lancaster is indeed not the most interesting city for college students but I think it has made strides in recent years and has the cultural offerings of a small city. While you can get to Philly easily I think that most student activity takes place on campus. The campus is very pretty with new facilities online in the last few years. </p>
<p>I agree with the earlier post that frats play too big a role in student life though I don't think the level of partying is any different than at Conn. or many other schools. I, a male, was not in a frat and had a great time. Naturally females are always welcome at all frat events so have a slightly wider selection of parties to attend. Conn is a former women's college and has no frats, unless you count the Coast Guard Academy across the street.....</p>
<p>Conn. College is in an even less interesting area for students than F&M. I also like the campus very much and its location and layout makes it, I think, safer than F&M's very slightly more urban location. Lancaster has become much safer now than just a few years ago, it was very safe when I went there in the stone age, but security is still a concern compared to Conn. </p>
<p>Both have great athletic and arts facilities though I would rate F&M's newer theater and music halls slightly ahead.</p>
<p>Conn. seemed very good at providing singles though F&M new apartments may put it ahead in that regard.</p>
<p>As an "old man" touring both schools multiple times with my son and daughter I thought the student bodies looking equally fit and attractive at both schools....</p>