I’m looking at F&M and lafayette as safety schools, but I don’t want a school where greek life is too prominent. Which of these schools has more “in your face” Greek life?
It’s great that you are coming up with a list of schools, but beware of categorizing these two schools as safeties. Lafayette has a 28% acceptance rate, and F&M is 32%. Neither are safeties, IMO, and you definitely need to show interest. I would describe F&M as having a more laid-back atmosphere, which I know is of interest to you. They seem to be fairly equal in Greek Life participation, with F&M being a little higher.
While I agree that given the low admit figures these should not be considered to be safeties, my kid applied and was accepted to both in RD and is currently attending Lafayette. He went to a known private and was in the top 1/4 of his class with an 3.7 unweighted gpa and lower SATs than yours. We considered Laf to be a low reach / high match for him and F&M to be a match, but only because he’s a legacy. Greek life at both schools is alive but does not dominate the social scene at either (like it once did). I’m not really sure which school is more laid back. The academics are strong at both but F&M has resisted the grade inflation that is common at other colleges and this results in a level of academic competitiveness that I don’t see at other schools. F&M is D3 so sports events, while supported, do not play the same role that sports play at Lafayette which is in the Patriot League (D1). Both Lancaster and Easton have their pros and cons but each is a nice college town. In my opinion, Lancaster stands out as more culturally unique. I think that you will be a strong candidate at both but as Lindagaf says it is important to demonstrate interest.
Looked at both schools with my D and were impressed by both. She decided to apply ED to Lafayette and loved it. The Greek life at Lafayette is present but not at all overwhelming and one can have a busy and happy social life without joining a fraternity/sorority. A good thing at Lafayette is that you can’t pledge a fraternity/sorority until sophomore year so everyone has a solid group of friends from freshman year before Greek Life is a factor. My D did surprise us and pledge a low key sorority at Lafayette but she remained very close with her freshman friends (many of whom did not pledge), friends from ECs, friends from classes etc. She liked the city of Easton as a college town (restaurants, farmers markets, small theater etc.). I don’t have first hand information about F&M but it was a school we also liked a lot based on our one visit.
Agree with the caution against considering Lafayette or F&M a true safety. And keep in mind that even if your stats are high for these schools it is important that you show interest.
@Lindagaf @happy1 i have toured both schools, attended info sessions, emailed them, and gone to the college rep meetings at my school.
DS just started at F&M and he has stated that while greek life is present it doesn’t dominate and he pretty much ignores it. Like lafayette you can’t pledge till sophmore year. He is not interested at all in greek life and he has been able to become very involved without it. I live 1/2 way between lancaster and easton. I think Lancaster has a nicer hip downtown of the two and is becoming a foodie city but Easton is closer to NYC if that is important. I would rate crime as about equal. Both schools seems very safe on campus. If you have specific questions about F&M email me. It has been working out great for my son.
I’ve heard there is a bit more crime in Lancaster but you’d never know it as a student or from exploring downtown. I’ve heard that most of it relates to a couple of biker gangs that operate around the edges and very much under the radar. I attended F&M, have friends in Lancaster, and return fairly regularly and I’ve never seen it. Go Dips!