<p>Hey J!
i was looking for info about the bathrooms in the dorms on Lafayette's website, but i couldn't find it. Can you explain me how bathrooms work please? are they shared by floor, by 2 rooms, private? I guess it depends on the residence hall, co could you detail this please. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Thanks for looking up ecuadorian "leopards?" (how do you call students from lafayette??? jaja)</p>
<p>ediaz,</p>
<p>As you predicted, the bathroom situation is different in each residence hall. In Keefe Hall, for instance, bathrooms are private and can be locked. There are bathrooms with one toilet, one sink, and one shower, and bathrooms with one toilet, two sinks, and one shower. Usually, there are about 8-10 people of the same gender sharing two bathrooms, which isn't as bad as you may think. Since we are all on different schedules, there is always an open bathroom within a few steps.</p>
<p>I believe I spoke about bathrooms a few times before in my posts, but just to reiterate, most bathrooms are smaller communal-style facilities. There may be 2-3 stalls with toilets, 2-3 sinks, and 1-2 showers in each bathroom. Of course, there are bathrooms for each gender. All bathrooms are cleaned each weekday by a custodial staff in each building, so they NEVER get really gross. Most of the time, you will be sharing a bathroom with around 10 other people (on average) on your floor or in your wing of the building.</p>
<p>I really do not think it is necessary for me to describe the "bathroom situation" in each residence hall...just rest assured that they are clean and accommodate all the students who need to use them.</p>
<p>I hope that helps...see if you can get into contact with her, and if not for whatever reason, I'm sure I'll be able to find someone else willing to answer your questions.</p>
<p>Later,</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>Do the residence halls have single rooms for first year students? If yes, are they hard to get?</p>
<p>Justin:</p>
<p>Congrats on being asked to be an RA! I look forward to meeting you in a few weeks when we are at the college for our visit. I'm taking the SATs for the first time tomorrow. Hope I won't be an April fool.</p>
<p>Regards, </p>
<p>Dana</p>
<p>Jimmy2588,</p>
<p>I may have mentioned this in a recent post, but just to reiterate, there are a FEW single rooms available for first-year students. However, the school encourages all freshmen to go for a double and experience life with a roommate. If you really do not think you could handle a roommate, or just value your privacy very highly, a single might be right for you. If so, get in contact with the Office of Residence Life after sending in your residence hall preference sheet by phone at (610) 330-5335 and ask to speak with the the Director of Residence Life, Annette Diorio. You could also email her at <a href="mailto:diorioa@lafayette.edu">diorioa@lafayette.edu</a> to request a single room. If I remember correctly, the housing preference form does not have the option for a single listed, but don't let that prevent you from pursuing a single.</p>
<p>Securing a single is harder than securing a double simply because there aren't that many available for first-year students, not because there is a huge demand for them. Get in contact with Residence Life ASAP if you seriously want a single. I would recommend going for the double, if only for your first year at Lafayette.</p>
<p>Good luck with that decision.</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>Questions
How is IR regarded?
Is the campus more liberal/conservative?
How many close freinds do you have as a student at LaFayette? just something I am asking people from schools I got into. I know it is completely arbritrary, but I like numbers. Thanks</p>
<p>Hi Justin,</p>
<pre><code> This may seem like a silly question, but if you went to Marquis Scholar Day last year, did you notice how the students there were generally dressed? I'm not sure how formal this affair is meant to be, and I'd like to avoid any awkwardness haha. Thanks again for your help.
Zach
</code></pre>
<p>Hey Zach,</p>
<p>Silly question that is not!</p>
<p>I vaguely remember attending the Marquis Scholar Day. From what I can recall, I wore a nice pair of pants and a polo shirt. Dress nicely, but don't go overboard. You have already been accepted, so if you chose to go in a bathrobe and slippers to Marquis Scholar Day, it really wouldn't make a difference. People might look at you funny, but that's about it!</p>
<p>Most students choose to dress up JUST A LITTLE, if only to impress any professors they might meet during the day.</p>
<p>I'll see you at lunch. FREE FOOD IS AWESOME!</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>Hey J,</p>
<p>I'm having a really hard time with my decision: LAFAYETTE or CONNECTICUT COLLEGE ??? What do you think. I clearly like Lafayette better, but it represents graduating with a 14k student loan. What do you think?</p>
<p>Also, some few questions:
Is there a rock climbing wall in lafayette? About clothing, should I buy it there or should I buy it here? I'm asking this because I don't own any winter clothes (I live in Ecuador!) and I don't know if it is cheaper in USA. Besides clothing, what should I consider bringing to Lafayette?
Thanks.</p>
<p>just adding a question:</p>
<p>do you get paid for the campus job? I mean do youget money and choose what to spend it on? I emailed the guys at the admissions office and they didn't clarify this. How much doy you think I will need for monthly expeses?</p>
<p>ediaz,</p>
<p>I really can't help you make the decision between Lafayette and Connecticut...that is for you to work out yourself. How comfortable were you on each college campus? Forget about that student loan you will eventually have to pay back. Trust me when I say that MANY students at Lafayette are stuck with much larger loans to pay off (I'm talking over $100,000 in loans). Even though Lafayette is ranked higher and has a better overall reputation, Connecticut College is very respectable as well.</p>
<p>Just follow your gut feelings...after all, you will never know what a college is truly like until you are a student there!</p>
<p>There is a 38-foot rock climbing wall inside the Kirby Sports Center. You are required to pass a one hour training session just once before you are allowed to climb it all you want. It is usually open later in the afternoon into the evening hours.</p>
<p>As for your question about buying clothing (specifically winter clothing), it all depends on prices. You can go to the local malls or Walmart and get clothes at very reasonable prices over here. Are there even any places in Ecuador to buy heavier clothes? I am not familiar with the prices in Ecuador, but I do know that the exchange rate from the sucre to the U.S. dollar is about 25,000 sucre to 1 U.S. dollar as of today (4/4/06). Maybe it would be a good idea to buy your winter clothing here! That way, you would not need to pack so much on your trip.</p>
<p>You will also need to bring personal supplies (toothbrush, hairbrush, shampoo, flip-flops for the shower, deodorant, etc., etc., etc.), all of which you could buy here, I guess (Bed, Bath, & Beyond is a great store). Bring your clothing for the summer months (shirts, pants and shorts, shoes of all kinds) and maybe some school supplies (pens, pencils, paper clips, highlighters, etc., etc., etc.). Check out the Lafayette webpage <a href="http://ww2.lafayette.edu/%7Ereslife/fys.php%5B/url%5D">http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~reslife/fys.php</a> for some ideas on what to bring. Also, search past posts on collegeconfidential.com by using the search box option for general threads specifically about what to bring to college.</p>
<p>On the topic of campus jobs, if you are required to take a job as part of your financial aid package ("work-study"), then most of your paycheck will be put toward your tuition. You only keep a very small percentage for yourself which you can cash and use as you wish. If you take a job voluntarily (I am a tour guide, for instance), you get to keep ALL of the money you earn after taxes. I put the money I earn by giving tours into my checking account I set up at Lafayette with the local bank in Easton (Lafayette Ambassador Bank). I will take out $20.00 at a time if I want to eat out, order take-out, do a little shopping at one of the local malls, buy some needed supplies at the college bookstore (which charges WAY too much for everything), etc. </p>
<p>For monthly expenses (NOT taking into consideration the $300-600 for books at the beginning of each semester...that amount depends heavily on your major and the classes you are taking that semester), that amount could vary SO MUCH by student. I'd say, as a VERY rough estimate, I spend about $100-$120 per month on miscellaneous expenses. I do get take-out food a lot, however, and I like to shop at the college bookstore, so you will probably not spend quite that amount.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. I wish you the best, and maybe we'll be seeing each other around campus in the fall.</p>
<p>Until then,</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>Candyman: Is work study part of your financial package? If so, it seems that Lafayette's work study is very different from other schools. At most schools work study is never a required part of your financial package. If you don't want a job then you don't have to work. BUT that doesn't mean you get that money alotted to you. Also, work study money is not subtracted off the top of the bill. You indeed get paid but you decide how you want to use it.</p>
<p>Hey J!
Just wanted you to know that I've made up my mind: I'm a LEOPARD not a CAMEL jaja. I'm going to Lafayette next Fall! </p>
<p>ediaz</p>
<p>(I'll be having tons of questions... I bet you have tons of amswers jaja. thanks)</p>
<p>bluejay,</p>
<p>Please disregard my little rant on the work-study program at Lafayette in that post addressed to ediaz, and allow me to attempt a more accurate description of the whole process.</p>
<p>First off, I was not offered the opportunity of a work-study in my own financial aid package. I, therefore, must ask those who DO have work-study for information on the subject. Let me just say that the reliability of some sources is questionable, at best!</p>
<p>After speaking with many students with work-study as part of their financial aid packages, I think it is safe to come to the conclusion that, if offered the option, one does NOT have to take it. No one is forced to work at Lafayette...that would be crazy!</p>
<p>However, the majority of students given the opportunity take advantage of it because a work-study sure beats loans out of college. They will find a job on campus (see previous posts in this thread for some job examples) and put in a decent amount of hours each week. When it is time to receive a check, some students set up their job so that a certain percentage of each check goes toward paying tuition. I know that, of those I spoke with, most put about 70% toward tuition and about 30% directly into their pockets as spending money. It may not sound too enticing, but remember that a work-study's primary purpose is to assist certain students in paying for college, and NOT to help students pay the Chinese food take-out bills.</p>
<p>If a student were offered a work-study, and decided to take a job solely to earn some extra pocket cash, that would be perfectly fine. Most students, however, are smart enough to know that it so important to pay off as much as possible while still in college...who wants to be left with $100,000+ in outstanding loans which will take YEARS to pay off in full?</p>
<p>I hope that clears up any confusion on the topic.</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>ediaz,</p>
<p>I just wish to congratulate you on making your college decision...take it from me that you made a great choice!</p>
<p>Who in their right mind would EVER want to be a camel, anyway?</p>
<p>Just asking!</p>
<p>Seriously, though, let me assure you that the best is yet to come. I hope you are excited about the whole experience that awaits you in the near future. Make sure to find me on campus next year (Keefe 325 on the Dry Surfers floor). Don't be a stranger!</p>
<p>See you around,</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>J, if we did not get enough financial aid, what should we do?</p>
<p>Jimmy2588,</p>
<p>If you did not get the type of financial aid you were looking for, there are so many options left for families other than what the college has to offer (merit-based aid, need-based aid, work-study, loans, etc.)</p>
<p>Look into HELP loans (up to $7,500 per year if qualified), PLUS loans, federal Stafford loans, private loan sources from banking services, etc.</p>
<p>If you are seriously thinking about coming to Lafayette, and think your family's financial situation is preventing you from doing so, I highly encourage you (or one of your parents!) to call up the Financial Aid Office at (610) 330-5055 sometime during the week and have a LONG chat with someone in the office (don't even attempt to email them...they will NOT respond anytime soon). Better yet, if you live anywhere close to campus, see if you can schedule a personal one-on-one meeting with someone in Financial Aid.</p>
<p>You need to get into contact with them right away. Tell them your situation, top to bottom, and see where that takes you. There are so many ways to pay for college that I am not familiar with, and I am sure that someone in Financial Aid will know enough to help you out...it is their job, after all.</p>
<p>Remember: where there's a will, there's a way. Don't count yourself out just yet!</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>hey J! </p>
<p>got a new questions: to what airport should i arrive? </p>
<p>thanks.</p>
<p>ediaz,</p>
<p>If you are coming from Quito, Ecuador, I would highly recommend taking a flight into Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. You will most likely NOT be able to take a direct flight, but that shouldn't be a big deal.</p>
<p>I am sure you could take a flight with some major carrier like Continential Airlines, and it looks as if the trip would take you about 11 hours (on average) to get here. Once you arrive at Newark, you will need to take some type of transportation to get to the campus at Easton, Pennsylvania. You should, of course, schedule this transportation ahead of time. There are taxi services which will go as far as Easton, Pennsylvania (it will be about an hour and a half drive from the airport).</p>
<p>So, just to reiterate, land at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. There, since it is such a major airport, you will have many options to get to Lafayette College.</p>
<p>More than anything else, have a safe trip. I'll be waiting to see you on campus in the fall.</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>What is Watson hall like?</p>