<p>Hi all:) I recently applied for freshman admission for next year, and, now that I've got nothing to do but sit and wait, was wondering what other people on this site think of the students/population at Franklin & Marshall (aka "Fummers")</p>
<p>I've seen a lot of posts and discussions, both on this site and others, about the students at F&M, and a lot of them give me the impression that F&M students are not the type I want to be spending 4 years with. The posts say that the students are all very homogenous (white, rich, northeastern private school kids), are stuck-up and rude, are hated by the city of Lancaster and targeted by muggers, and are overall not a very nice group of people to be around.</p>
<p>I know that, as Franklin and Marshall is in a very rural area, students are limited in terms of entertainment and leisure, and often resort to partying, sex and drinking (more so than at other schools).</p>
<p>I really like F&M, but I don't know that the students are people that I want to be around for 4 years. . .</p>
<p>Does anyone have any input or experiences that might suggest something different? Is this idea I've received from sites like CC tainted and biased, or is it pretty accurate? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks:)</p>
<p>My son is looking at F&M as well. I think that the characteristics that you have assigned to F&M would apply to most upper level LAC in that there are some students who are like that at all of those schools. When we visited, we loved our two tour guides. We have contacted one of them to ask some of the questions that you ask, and she gave us very lengthy responses and totally set us at ease, particularly on the competitiveness and safety. I did not ask them about the snob factor because they were so nice and welcoming; how could they go there if there weren’t plenty of nice people there as well? The student who responded to us is a senior and said she would do it all over again. By the way, this student had a great internship which will likely lead to a job and also spent a semester in Washington working in her senator’s office. Opportunities are great I think at F&M. The only issue that I would have for my son is keeping up with the academic rigor. They do not give away a lot of A’s, but apparently no F’s either. Hope this helps. We are looking at other schools in PA like Allegheny, Dickinson, Ursinus, Susquehanna and Lafayette. Anyone have any comments or points of comparison?</p>
<p>Oh, and Franklin and Marshall is not in a rural setting. It sits in Lancaster, with a park on one end, some suburban houses and a busy road on the other, a block or two from the urban center of Lancaster (if I remember correctly). You can certainly get to farms and such, but its really in more of a suburban/small city area. There are things to do in Lancaster; it is a small city with a lot to offer; plus the Amtrak station is 5 minutes away, and Philadelphia would be about an hour and a half away, I think. I am not an expert, so if anyone has any corrections to my observation, please do!
Also, the study/party habits of “Fummers” seem to be homework everyday but Friday, and going out on Friday and Saturday. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Good to see some positive postings! Our daughter has also applied RD. We came away from our campus visit (last spring) with a very good impression of F&M - nice campus, area around campus did not seem unsafe (counter to some of the recent postings), friendly people, nice admissions’ office staff, great interview, outstanding tour guide. But much of what we’ve been reading on CC has made us question this application. I would really like to see some more postings from current students, alums, parents. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I have posted many times before but I am happy to reiterate that my son is very happy at F&M. He has adjusted well and found a nice group of friends. He was pleasantly surprised with Lancaster (we live in the suburbs of a “real” city). Not bothered at all with crime (let’s face it there is crime every where). You son/daughter will find friends who are rich and poor, city or country. Not alot of racial diversity but that is true of almost all LACs. It’s a great education and a wonderful school.</p>
<p>My son visited F&M three times and each trip was wonderful. He decided to apply ED and will be attending F&M in the fall. I was also worried because there were some negative comments on CC so I decided to dig deeper and have found that our local private school sends kids to F&M every year. They are all bright, active students that have loved or are loving their experience. I think the 92% retention rate also speaks well for the school.</p>
<p>Excellent point. Retention rates are far more meaningful than a few anecdotes. If students stay there, the school is liked by the students - period. F&M has above average retention rates.</p>
<p>I applied to F&M RD and I will probably be visiting the school during spring break. I hope that the fact that I am hispanic will increase my chances of being admitted.</p>
<p>I am a parent of an F&M senior and while it is challenging academically it is an excellent school that fosters great relationships.I am an admissions rep, at a " more prestigious LAC" and I can tell you most of the complaints found on this board are true of any small LAC’s.College in a time for emotional highs and lows but at the end of the day you reflect on the total academic and social expierence you obtain.By the way F&M does have a great Grad school reputation and my anonymous child has been accepted to multiple programs with a average GPA.</p>
<p>I am currently a freshman at F&M and am enjoying my last day of spring break. I don’t think there is a competitive atmosphere. I know many kids who are taking the pre-med path at F&M and they all help each other. In all the classes I have taken and am currently enrolled in, I also haven’t noticed any competition. Students are always looking to have study groups before tests. Also, I think that the mugging situation is a bit overblown. Students got mugged (I think 2 or 3) on the same day sometime in January, and ever since then there haven’t been any problems. Also, at least one of the criminals wasn’t even a lancaster local.</p>
<p>Also feel free to message me with any questions you parents or hopefully future diplomats have.</p>