I'll Answer Your Lafayette Questions! Part I

Colleges and Universities A-Z Lafayette College
261

<p>candyman,</p>

<p>Thanks:)..The admission officer who will be visiting Singapore is Mr. Barry McCarty, Dean of Enrollment Services. I believe he is in charge of international students at your school from what my friend told me. </p>

<p>From all your posts, I notice that you only talk about CR+maths when calculating SAT I. Does lafayette consider the writing portion as well? Does your school have study abroad program during junior year? Among those factors that you listed above as part of the admission criteria, which would be consider the most important or the more important stuffs?</p>

262

<p>Oops forgot some more questions..</p>

<p>I understand that your school does not require SAT II but recommend them. Would it increase my chance if I submit my SAT II scores? I have not gotten it back yet but it should be ok. </p>

<p>Would it be an advantage for me if I got some pretigious research program and represented school at a couple of science fair even though I plan to major in E&B?</p>

<p>Also, do you know how international students are at your school? Do we get treated differently? Would it be tough to run for something like student govt if one were an intel? (hehe, i just wanna ask as i might consider it one of my potential ECA:) )</p>

263

<p>hey candy,
Are u aware that Lafayette has a forum for accepted students in which you might want to have ur presence felt??</p>

264

<p>Joash,</p>

<p>I am registered with that forum, and have started a thread entitled "I'll Answer Your Questions!" with the same sn (candyman92486).</p>

<p>Been there, done that!</p>

<p>J</p>

<p>P.S. Are you coming to Lafayette, or still holding your breath for UPenn?</p>

265

<p>tbhnams,</p>

<p>Yes, Mr. McCarty is in charge of most "international affairs" at Lafayette. I see from the Lafayette website that he has plans to travel all over Asia in October to conduct admission interviews.</p>

<p>I usually only talk about Critical Reading and Math SAT scores because that it was I know best. Remember, the Class of 2010 was the first class required to submit scores for the new SAT. Even so, Lafayette admissions officers did take writing scores into consideration when evaluating applicants this past admissions cycle. To see what writing scores accepted students had, check out the SAT Profile at <a href="http://www.lafayette.edu/admissions/requirements.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.lafayette.edu/admissions/requirements.html&lt;/a>. It seems that the majority of accepted students got at least a 600 on the Writing portion of the test.</p>

<p>Lafayette has an AMAZING study abroad program. Most students will study abroad for a semester in their junior years. Interesting fact: by the time you graduate, half of your classmates will have studied abroad for at least an interim session! For more information on our study abroad program, please visit <a href="http://lafayette.edu/academics/study_abroad/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://lafayette.edu/academics/study_abroad/index.html&lt;/a>. Be sure to click on the link "courses" about halfway down the page for specific descriptions of each course offered.</p>

<p>The most important criteria for admission into ANY college or university are GPA, difficulty of courseload (did you challenge yourself each year with the courses you chose?), class rank (if your school ranks students), and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT). Your recommendations, activity list, and essays are slightly less important in making a decision, but are still considered. The reason for this is simple: first and foremost, admissions officers want to make sure they only accept students who will be able to handle the college workload while still involving themselves in extracurricular activities.</p>

<p>You should submit your SAT II scores if you get at least a 600 on them. Otherwise, they will NOT help your chances. If you take a few of them (Math IC or IIC, a science test, etc.) and do well on them, it shows that you are serious about applying to colleges and want to make yourself stand out from other applicants who did not take any SAT II's. In response to your question, yes, good SAT II scores (think: 650+) can increase your chances of admission.</p>

<p>If you are involved in a prestigious research program and represent your school in science fairs, be sure to put that on your activity list! Even if you check "Economics & Business" as your prospective major on your application, be sure to tell admissions officers about ALL of the activities you seriously participated in. Remember, you want to try to impress admissions officers with your extracurriculars. The fact that you are planning on majoring in E&B should not affect what activities you list!</p>

<p>About 5% of the student population are international students from all over the world. I believe that more than 75 countries are represented! I assure you that they are treated no differently than any other students. If anything, international students tend to be the most popular students on campus. I have made many great "international friends" my first year at Lafayette, and have learned so much about life outside of the U.S. by speaking with them. It really is a learning experience for both parties (domestic and international students). Also keep in mind that we have students from all across the United States. Trust me when I say that Easton, Pennsylvania seems very foreign to students from California!</p>

<p>If you wish to run for student government, go for it! First-Year Class Council might be a great opportunity for you. Learn more about student government at Lafayette by checking out <a href="http://www.lafayette.edu/student_life/student_government.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.lafayette.edu/student_life/student_government.html&lt;/a>. You would have just as great a chance of being elected as anyone else. Actually, if anything, you would have a greater chance of being elected because you would be able to differentiate yourself from the other candidates.</p>

<p>That's all for now.</p>

<p>J</p>

266

<p>Hey Justin,</p>

<p>You've been helping loads of people, so I thought you could help me out too.</p>

<p>I am from New Delhi, India. </p>

<ol>
<li>I want to do a double major in Economics and Math or Economics and intl affairs.</li>
</ol>

<p>Now, I havent had any AP/IB credits because both these programmes are extremely limited at my place. So how difficult is it going to be to pursue a double major..meaning would I have to like study all day and leave every other activity? </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Can we apply for internships in the first year itself? </p></li>
<li><p>How much financial aid is available for study abroad interim programs.</p></li>
<li><p>There is no description of chess on the website. What is the level to which I can pursue chess at lafayette. Who is the right person to contact?</p></li>
<li><p>Do we have a Model UN Team at lafayette? If so, whom should I contact?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it a problem in august/september and april/may in dorms that dont have AC?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for your help so far...have been through all your replies...great help</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Teevrat</p>

267

<p>Hello Teevrat!</p>

<p>I hope these responses help you out to some extent.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Even if you don't take any "IB" or "AP" courses in high school, do not fret. You know if the classes you are currently taking are rigorous. In general, how is the school system in New Delhi? Keep in mind that many students apply to Lafayette without EVER having taken any IB/AP courses, and they perform just as well academically as students who took these types of courses. Sometimes, students take no IB/AP courses because their schools do not offer them. If this is the case, admission officers will not penalize you for not having taken any. If a school offers a ton of them, but an applicant does not choose to take any, then that would reflect poorly on that applicant because it would look like he/she did not wish to challenge him/herself. Do you feel prepared for college level work? I doubt you would have any trouble pursuing a double major. Remember, it is not any harder double majoring than majoring in one subject. You are just given less freedom in choosing courses each semester.</p></li>
<li><p>Even though you technically COULD apply for an internship your first year, I think students are generally advised against doing so. First off, it is a very competitive process, and upperclass students are given priority. Do not worry, as you will have many opportunities to get internships after your first year. Be sure to join the Gateway Program through Career Services before you get to campus. Your Gateway Advisor would help you every step of the way in gaining these kinds of opportunities. In addition, the online "Job Vault" lists all summer internships as they become available.</p></li>
<li><p>If you wish to study abroad during an interim session or for an entire semester, you can! If money is an issue, you can contact the Office of Financial Aid. There is money available for students who wish to study abroad, but simply can't afford it. It is entirely possible to have the trip paid in-full by the college.</p></li>
<li><p>The college does offer "chess" as an intramural sport. If there is little interest once you arrive on campus, then take the initiative and spark the program! You can contact the Office of Recreation Services for more information by calling (610) 330-5772. Also be sure to check out the Recreation Services webpage at <a href="http://ww2.lafayette.edu/%7Erecsvcs/kirby_sports_center/intramural_programs.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ww2.lafayette.edu/%7Erecsvcs/kirby_sports_center/intramural_programs.php&lt;/a>. If you were to become President of the chess team, then you could work to recruit members and set up a schedule to challenge other teams. Trust me, it is VERY easy to start your own activity/organization at Lafayette!</p></li>
<li><p>I do not believe we have an official "Model UN Team". Even though most high schools offer this activity, I think it is not readily available at the college level. We do, however, offer many related activities. Please refer to the links under the "Activities and Organizations" heading at <a href="http://www.lafayette.edu/student_life/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.lafayette.edu/student_life/&lt;/a> for a pretty complete listing of what extracurriculars Lafayette has to offer that might interest you.</p></li>
<li><p>Students who live in dorms that do not have A/C buy fans for their rooms to "beat the heat". Keep in mind that A/C is quite a rarity in college dorms, but college students always seems to manage in the summer months. If it ever gets unbearably hot and humid, students will find a cool place to study or hang out with friends (Farinon College Center, Skillman Library, etc.). It is not that big of a deal, really.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I have been dying to tell you how cool I think your name is. Rest assured that, if you decide to come to Lafayette, you very well might be the only "Teevrat" on campus!</p>

<p>Peace,</p>

<p>J</p>

268

<p>Dear Justin,</p>

<p>I think I made a mistake in communication. I am already admitted and will be coming to lafayette this fall. </p>

<p>And on the education system. We have a K-12 system. Well almost all schools across the country are affiliated to either the national education board or one of the stateboards (whichever one they are located in). Students have a common course more or less untill grade 10, with the exception of being able to chose your second language. Class 11 and 12 we are allowed to chose our own subjects and streams(mainly science, commerce and humanities) Students can chose different subjects, but have the same difficulty level. So while you may chose math and someone else may chose psychology, all math students have the same curriculum and all psychology students have the same curriculum. </p>

<p>Only a very tiny tiny percentage of schools (that are oh **** expensive) offer AP/IB. The british school offers A levels. </p>

<p>I had Physics, Chem, Math(with calc - we dont have a choice, but calculus is in the course, not that I minded it), Economics and English(There are two levels A and B. But my school offers only the A level.)</p>

<p>And I have been state chess champion when I was 7. So I hope to revive some of those skills!! </p>

<p>And i definitely hope to meet you!</p>

<p>And yes, my name (thanks to my folks) is unique. No one here has that name either. Its a sanskrit word derivation from teevra that essentially means fast.
(My school Phy Ed teacher would seriously disagree)</p>

<p>Thanks a ton</p>

<p>Teevrat</p>

269

<p>Teevrat aka "Speedy",</p>

<p>Thanks for sharing that information on the education system in your part of the world. I really appreciate it!</p>

<p>As you could tell from my previous post, I was unsure as to whether you were attending Lafayette or just thinking about applying. Now I know! </p>

<p>You seem like a cool guy (who really dominates at chess!). I look forward to meeting you in the fall. Be sure to stop by Keefe 325.</p>

<p>J</p>

270

<p>Hey Justin, </p>

<p>I sure will drop by Keefe 325 when I get there.</p>

<p>Just another question: We are expected to arrive on 22nd August. I was just wondering if everything can be arranged within a short week the moment we get to lafayette.</p>

<p>Thanks..and can i get your email ID/msn. I had a few personal questions that i dont want to talk about on a forum.</p>

<p>Thanks...</p>

<p>Teevrat</p>

271

<p>T-Dawg,</p>

<p>Is August 22nd the day that international students must arrive on campus? I had another international student ask me that about a week ago, and I wasn't sure what to tell them. I am sure that a week will be more than enough to get yourself settled. Keep in mind that Freshman Orientation runs from August 25-27. Those days are full of activities for first-year students which are "mandatory", so you will find little time during those days to get anything significant accomplished.</p>

<p>I provided my Lafayette email address at the beginning of this thread. It is <a href="mailto:saydej@lafayette.edu">saydej@lafayette.edu</a>. Also feel free to instant message me if you can catch me online at mariofan007 (that is an AIM account, not MSN).</p>

<p>J</p>

272

<p>Candyman,</p>

<p>International students can arrive around August 22, but August 22 is "expected date of arrival", which means that Lafayette folks will meet us at three airports (JFK Intl., Newark, and another one somewhere in Pennsylvania) and transport straight to the college. You know, my parents especially appreciated it and said: "all right, now we know that you're not going to some kind of unsure dump".</p>

<p>Another question about interships: as international students we will live under F-1 visa, but does our status allow to participate in interships outside campus?</p>

273

<p>rytis,</p>

<p>The internships offered out of Career Services are almost all located off campus. The Lafayette alumni network, which provides the majority of the internship opportunities, allows current students the chance to "tag along" as they go about their business. I do not believe international students are exempted from this amazing resource because I am friends with international students who took advantage of the internships we offer.</p>

<p>This website has great information on the F-1 Student Visa: <a href="http://www.uakron.edu/oip/immigration/F1Visa.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.uakron.edu/oip/immigration/F1Visa.php&lt;/a>. From what it says, it looks like you can accept internships off campus, but can't get a job off campus without special authorization. Read this information under the bold heading "Practical Training" to see for yourself:</p>

<p><< Curricular practical training: Curricular practical training is defined as "alternate work study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.>></p>

<p>I take that excerpt to mean that internships are fair game! If you wish to ask someone in Career Services, you can email Rachel Moeller, "Assistant Director of Internships and Externships", at <a href="mailto:moellerr@lafayette.edu">moellerr@lafayette.edu</a>.</p>

<p>Peace,</p>

<p>J</p>

274

<p>Candyman,</p>

<p>Thanks:)..Related to teevrat's question..Do you know if your school offers credits for A levels? Would I be able to complete my undergrad in shorter time period than 4 years? </p>

<p>one more question that I have been wanting to ask but keep on forgetting to..How many recommendations do you need in total for Lafayette (counselor, teachers)? When I looked the Commonapps requirement list, it said 1 TE+1 counselor while the school website does not say anything but from my understanding, liberal arts college generally requires 2 TE+ 1 counselor recommendation. Just wanna clarify so I can send in the right number.</p>

275

<p>tbhnams,</p>

<p>This is what the Lafayette website has to say about possibly receiving credit for 'A' level examinations:</p>

<p><< Lafayette also considers national examination programs of various countries (i.e. GCE 'A' level, French Baccalaureate, and German Abitur) on an individual basis for credit. Credit will be granted upon the receipt of certified copies of the official examination results. Additional course information (i.e. course syllabus) may be requested. >></p>

<p>It looks like you should do exactly as the website says and be sure to send in your 'A' level results with your application. If you get enough credit (8 course credits = one year of courses at Lafayette), then you might possibly be able to graduate in less than four years.</p>

<p>According to the Lafayette webpage, these are the requirements for an international student applying to the college:</p>

<p><< What is required to make an application for admissions complete?</p>

<pre><code>* All applicants must complete the Common Application, Lafayette’s supplement for International students, and have their secondary school provide official transcripts and recommendations.
* Applicants are required to submit official results of either the SAT or ACT. If circumstances prevent an applicant from taking either of these tests, he or she must contact the Office of Admission to explain the situation.
* Lafayette recommends but does not require official results of SAT Subject tests (formerly SAT II tests).
* All applicants must submit the $60.00 USD application fee. If a student is unable to pay this fee, he or she must provide a fee waiver from his or her college/guidance counselor, school head, or other school official. Students and parents may not request their own fee waiver.
* Students seeking financial aid must submit the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) and supporting documents.
* International students whose native language is not English or whose language of instruction for all four years of secondary school has not been English must submit TOEFL results. Students should score a minimum of 550 (paper based test), 213 (computer based test), or 80 (internet based test). >>
</code></pre>

<p>As stated in the Common Application, Lafayette requires ONE teacher recommendation and ONE counselor recommendation.</p>

<p>Peace,</p>

<p>J</p>

276

<p>Hey Justin,</p>

<p>Could you tell me if it is worth purchasing the Residence Hall Linens advertised in the mailers we got sometime back. They had value packs that covered a large number of items. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.rhl.org/int%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.rhl.org/int&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>As far as I have heard till now, nobody found the linens good and worth the price. As an international student it does get difficult to carry my entire bedding from here. </p>

<p>So, any advice would be really helpful. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Teevrat</p>

277

<p>Teevrat,</p>

<p>For domestic students, I would not recommend purchasing linens from that company. Who knows about the quality of those sheets? Plus, you can find much better deals, and greater selections, at bedding superstores.</p>

<p>However, for international students, it might be a good idea. You could order your twin-XL sheet set and have it sent directly to your campus mailbox!</p>

<p>It is very possible that, when international students arrive on campus August 22, you will be given the opportunity to go to Bed, Bath, & Beyond or Wal-Mart, both of which are just a few minutes from campus. I am sure the college is smart enough to allocate some time for you guys to buy college supplies before Freshman Orientation begins on August 25.</p>

<p>If you just don't want to worry about the whole issue, go right ahead and order the sheets from the company as soon as you are allowed to have items shipped to the college post office (about 10 days before your arrival). If you think you might be able to buy linens once you get here (the first day you arrive, of course, or else you won't have sheets for your first night!), then maybe you should wait it out.</p>

<p>I, personally, would avoid purchasing linens from that company at all costs. It isn't cheap, they might be crappy sheets, and I simply don't trust the whole process!</p>

<p>I hope this helps.</p>

<p>J</p>

278

<p>Hey Justin,</p>

<p>Thanks....</p>

<p>So do you think a work around would be - buying a single or paired linen sheet for now and then buying everything else when we get there...just in case we arent able to buy anything on day1?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Teevrat</p>

279

<p>Teevrat,</p>

<p>That sounds like a good idea!</p>

<p>The more I think about it, the more I imagine you will be able to purchase linens the day you get to campus.</p>

<p>J</p>

280

<p>J,
What is your advice about participating in the Gateway Career Program? It looks helpful for students - gaining internship experience, networking assistance and career planning.</p>

<p>Are you involved in this program?</p>