Hi! I’m currently a rising high school senior and am trying to solidify my college application list. I have been mostly looking at larger universities in my college search process to give me the most options in majors. I am currently looking to major in economics (with very likely some emphasis on business) and follow a pre-med track, and thus feel that larger colleges may give me more options in terms of departments in both the economics and science/medical fields. My concern with smaller LACs is that they are generally smaller, and often to not offer two such widely different programs.
However, I recently became interested in Lafayette College because of its relative proximity to home (driving distance, though too far to be a daily commute) and because academics seem to be very good. I attended an information session (virtually due to Covid) and was able to get in touch and talk by phone with two current students to get a better feel for the college. I have had very good experiences all around and the admissions staff, students, and campus seem to be very friendly.
Would anyone have any additional input on what it is like to go to a smaller college such as Lafayette? Do you feel that many of the students have very similar interests and that it is more important to “fit in” than it would be in a larger university, or is this needless worrying on my part? How about the surrounding area? Lafayette is certainly not an isolated college, but I would love to know if the surrounding area and smaller feel is in any way constricting. I unfortunately was never able to visit campus due to Covid, so I am trying to gather as much information as possible now.
Thank you so much! I really would appreciate any input on these questions!
Others will comment about Lafayette College specifically but Easton is in the Lehigh Valley alongside Allentown and Bethlehem. The metro area population is over 800,000. It is hardly a small town.
D20 visited and toured a few times, loved it and applied but had to withdraw because she was accepted at her ED school. Easton had a nice downtown area and a really pretty campus. I think that “fit” is important at any college. Schools have different vibes even though they may share characteristics with other schools.
In terms of LACs, I am a huge fan! There are tons of different majors and you can be prepared for all kinds of different paths. If you liked Lafayette, take a look at Colgate. They have The only NIH study group program where students spend 30 hours a week doing research at the facility in Bethesda, MD. They also have one of the top rated economics departments. With a relatively flexible curriculum, it is easy to double major or come up with various combinations of majors and minors, but that is true at most of the LACs if not all.
LACs can be superb for economics, core sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry) and math/statistics, though — as with the majority of the most highly ranked universities — they often do not offer undergraduate business degrees. Nonetheless, economics departments at LACs may offer courses in topics such as corporate finance, financial economics and international finance. Note as well that courses in disciplines such as English literature, psychology and sociology may be required/recommended for admission to most medical schools.
If you’re interested in business, Muhlenberg, also nearby, offers business. It’s a happy school and has good academics. Going on memory (so check this out for yourself) it has good premed advisement too. Premed, from what I’ve gathered on this forum is a combo of GRADES and MCAT score, so going to a college where you’re sure you’re getting the support you need to get the GPA you need is key. Then study like heck for that MCAT.