<p>Thanks for the support. I hope you're right about switching..because otherwise he goes to Lehigh..There he is already in the engineering dept. How can you state that Lafayette's engineering program is better ..by far?? I'm not disagreeing ..cause I don't know. I just want to know how you can say this. Facts to back it up? I know that Lafayette is much smaller...so it has to be somewhat limiting in it's offerings. We also have the RPI program to consider also. (medal scholarship) Are we the only family is American that is one day before the deadline and STILL are deciding between 3 colleges????</p>
<p>MKW,</p>
<p>I am so sorry if you misinterpreted one of my previous posts. I was stating that Lafayette's engineering program is better than Lehigh's program BY FAR. It was simply a comparison between two schools which are generally thought to be quite comparable. We offer a wider variety of engineering courses, we have a more technology-driven, state-of-the-art facility for engineers (Acopian Engineering Center - renovated in 2003), our class sizes are smaller, and 100% of our engineers pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. In addition, Lafayette offers students the opportunity to study engineering in Brussels, Belgium during the spring semester of sophomore year.</p>
<p>My older brother went to RPI for his undergraduate education. He was accepted into their accelerated B.S./M.D. program, and received the Rensselaer Medal as well. After spending just three years at RPI, he moved right on to Albany Medical College. I do not wish to downplay the strength of their engineering program in any way. RPI is such a technologically-oriented school...math, engineering, bio, chem, etc. are such strong programs there. In case you were wondering, my brother ended up majoring in biology, with a minor in psychology.</p>
<p>I am sure you are familiar with the U.S. News rankings of colleges. Even though I disagree with the practice of ranking colleges, just know that Lafayette's engineering program is ranked 12th in the nation. I do not have the rankings in front of me at the moment, but rest assured that RPI is up there as well. </p>
<p>Lafayette is definitely a smaller school. Even so, your son would be surprised at the breadth of offerings for prospective engineers. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of courses offered in even the smallest departments when I was researching colleges myself. Do not make assumptions based upon the size of our school...it is quite deceiving!</p>
<p>Trust me, you guys are NOT the last family in America still deciding between colleges. Take today to gather all of the information you have up until this point and ask your son what his gut feelings are. I am sure that he has stronger feelings for one of the three schools, but sometimes it is difficult to make that commitment.</p>
<p>I wish your son the best of luck as he weighs his options. When the decision is made, I would love to hear where he will be for his undergraduate education...a private message would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>Haha, I only made my decision yesterday. And I'm still slightly torn about it, so no worries. It all, hopefully, works out in the end.</p>
<p>ridethecliche,</p>
<p>Truer words were never spoken.</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>Justin:</p>
<p>I just realized that Lafayette is religiously affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. How does this translate in the social life on campus? Do you, for instance, have crosses on the walls in every classroom, as happens to be the case with Georgetown University?</p>
<p>By the way, good luck with your finals! <em>crossing fingers for you to get a 4.0 GPA</em></p>
<p>Hey maxy,</p>
<p>If you were to go around campus asking students about our religious affiliation, only a select few would guess correctly. Even though we are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, it really has little effect on the student body. Classrooms do not have crosses in them...the only crosses I know of are inside Colton Chapel. We offer Catholic mass every Sunday at 11:30am in the chapel, and interfaith services are held inside of Hogg Hall.</p>
<p>There are religious organizations on campus which a lot of students choose to get involved with (Muslim Student Association, Newman Association, Hillel Society, Lafayette Christian Fellowship, etc.) Take this quote directly from Lafayette's website: "Since 1854. . .the College has enjoyed a mutually supportive association with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), while remaining open to religious expressions of all faiths".</p>
<p>In terms of affecting social life, the religious groups/organzations will sponsor events for the entire campus to take part in. Even though I am not Jewish myself, I'll go to the Hillel Society dinners all the time and meet some really great people. </p>
<p>It seems that students are really accepting of faiths other than their own at Lafayette.</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>Regarding my previous post, I hope I did not seem to send the wrong message...I am very accepting of persons of all faiths.</p>
<p>maxy,</p>
<p>I did not get that vibe from your post at all. Don't worry about it.</p>
<p>Take it easy,</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>It's interesting to note that one of the first questions I asked J when I met him was exactly that.</p>
<p>I Love You Justin!</p>
<p><3 Lafayette College <3</p>
<p>LEHIGH SUCKS! ANDDDD WE DONT ROB BANKS!</p>
<p>Justin, I have a quick question for you -</p>
<p>How's the grilled cheese and the chicken patties @ Laf?</p>
<p>Let me know!</p>
<p>THANKS!</p>
<p>Oh and are the females attractive on campus?</p>
<p>How are the lunch ladies, by the way?</p>
<p>oh...and </p>
<p>Tig Ol Bitties?</p>
<p>I heard you'll be an RA next semester - is there a kid named Phil on your floor? I heard he's real cool and a super nice guy. Any possibility I can get his phone number?</p>
<p>Send a PM please! Thanks!</p>
<p>What percentage of female engineering students are hispanic?</p>
<p>Thanks a million!</p>
<p>Even though you havent finished answering my questions yet, I have a followup to your answer</p>
<p>What's "Fritter Sauce" and why are you still in my dorm room?</p>
<p>outdoorjoe34,</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I love you too, outdoorjoe34!</p></li>
<li><p>It is true that Lafayette students do not rob banks.</p></li>
<li><p>The grilled cheese is AWESOME! It is so tasty. The chicken patties are decent, especially if you can get a hold of some fritter sauce.</p></li>
<li><p>Most females are hotter than your 17-year-old girlfriend.</p></li>
<li><p>The lunch ladies are a little too friendly at times...Tig ol' Bitties are nice.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, as a matter of fact, there will be a kid on the Dry Surfers floor in Keefe Hall in Room 329 named Philip Patrick Abbate. However, I have heard that he isn't really that cool. Trust me, you do NOT want his phone number...unless you are under the age of 17.</p></li>
<li><p>The percentage of female Hispanic engineers is slightly less than 1%.</p></li>
<li><p>Fritter sauce is a mixture of ketchup, chipotle powder, distilled vinegar, and lime juice. And no, I will not be leaving your dorm room anytime soon because the wireless in here kicks butt!</p></li>
<li><p>Then join the Muslim Students Assocation!</p></li>
<li><p>We have an organization on campus for gay/lesbian/transgender students at Lafayette. It is called Quest, which stands for "Questioning Established Sexual Taboos".</p></li>
<li><p>The MSA meets in Hogg Hall in the interfaith chapel and/or Muslim prayer room on a monthly basis. That is all I really know about the MSA. </p></li>
<li><p>No, just to reiterate, you CANNOT have Phil's phone number (unless you are under the age of 17). He is a very busy guy, and chances are, he would not get back to you for a very long time.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>J</p>
<p>I am a muslim</p>
<p>could you please give me more information about the muslim association. Also, im a homosexual - could you please give me more information about Laf's Gay/Lesbian groups?</p>
<p>Thanks love!</p>