<p>Hi animalcule - my son will be applying to Lafayette (hopefully attending there,) and is born in the US fifth generation, living in NJ. I can't really speak to life at Lafayette -although we met many friendly people there - but if we are any indication of the typical American family, your biggest problem is likely to be acclimating to a different environment. There are many foreign born students in our High School and some are friends with my son and our house sometimes looks like the United Nations. They don't care where each other is from but have interests in common such as music or other extra curriculars and respect each other and get along fine. The other advice you have received is good - don't keep yourself apart, join in activities, and keep an open mind.</p>
<p>Hey Candyman.</p>
<p>I have recently decided i might apply to Lafayette for engineering, but am really worried about the the social life of the school.</p>
<p>First of all, the class of 2012 is even smaller than my graduating class at my school, which really worries me. I'm not sure if that small of a campus will work for me. Do you know any benefits/downsides of this? I feel that if it's a tightly knit group of kids it'd be cool... but i'm worried i wont fit in.</p>
<p>Which transitions into the fact that i'm not white... im indian and i was raised in some pretty poor/urban parts of hartford before moving here to colorado. I'm not particularly worried that most of the college is white/upper class (since this is the case with most colleges in general), but im worried that this statistic would be greatly magnified with the class size being so small. Around 400 per grade and 10 percent asian + black... what is that like 40 not white kids on the entire campus?I figure the small class might be quick to label me an outcast or something...</p>
<p>so basically. how is life at lafayette with the class being tiny? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot</p>
<p>Shiven,</p>
<p>That's a very legitimate concern. For those students coming from larger high schools, Lafayette may seem quite small. For those from smaller high schools, Lafayette can seem too big. It all depends on where you're coming from.</p>
<p>Please keep in mind that, although each incoming class consists of about 600 students, you won't be limited to the 599 other students in your class. In college, classes are very much in constant interaction. You'll be enrolled in courses with upperclassmen and be involved in outside activities with students of all class years. It's not like high school, where the classes usually stick to themselves.</p>
<p>Benefits, you ask? Professors will get to know you, and you'll get to know them. This definitely comes in handy when asking for recommendations. You'll make some really close friends very quickly. You'll feel like you're an integral part of the campus, too, not just one nameless student out of many.</p>
<p>Downsides? Some students prefer to be nameless, and prefer to stick to themselves. Some students might not wish to run into acquaintances while walking across campus. It's all a matter of personal preference.</p>
<p>Why are you worried you won't fit in? Wouldn't this sort of worry apply to both smaller and larger schools?</p>
<p>The number of minority students is certainly higher than you state. We have about 2,400 students on campus. Of those, about 6% are international, and another 13% are self-identified minority students. A bit more than 40, for sure, but I totally understand your point.</p>
<p>I hope this helps. Best of luck finding the perfect-sized college for you!</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>Justin</p>
<p>I kind of get what you mean. So your saying that since i'm a pretty extroverted person who likes to run into friends walking across campus and i dont usually stick to myself, i should be okay even though it's a small school?</p>
<p>Shiven</p>
<p>Shiven,</p>
<p>Yup, that's the gist of my message.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to post.</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks a lot. Will do</p>
<p>hi there,
i'm an international who will be sending in my applications for ED to lafayette soon, Unfortunately,my nov sat scores arent good therefore i will be retaking the SAT as a standby test taker in Dec ( but seating is not guaranteed) im worried that if i dont take the SAT in Dec that i might need to take it in Jan which i think will be too late for ED, help i need some advice</p>
<p>princessmomo,</p>
<p>I think you understand your situation well -- either you retake the SAT in December or you send in your November scores.</p>
<p>What advice are you seeking?</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>Hello candyman, </p>
<p>I am very interested in Lafayette College and I will be applying to it this month. I have visited the campus over the summer, and I thought it was very nice, and despite it being small I still enjoyed the feel I got from it.</p>
<p>I just had a few questions for you if you wouldn't mind answering them, and please forgive me if they have been asked already, this thread is 29 pages long lol</p>
<p>How is the intellectual atmosphere at Lafayette?
Does the small size result in very cliquey behavior among students?
What is the social life like at the college?</p>
<p>Anything you can tell me relating to these questions and about the college would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>bdmet2491,</p>
<p>Of course I wouldn't mind answering your questions! That's why I'm still here.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Intellectual atmosphere: While I would hesitate to compare our "intellectual atmosphere" to that of a Wesleyan or Haverford, I will say that I have always been pleasantly surprised by the "intellectualism" of my peers. Most students are genuinely interested in learning, both in and out of the classroom. I know some people say that Lafayette can't possibly have an "intellectual atmosphere" because of the popularity of athletics. If anything, our varsity athletes are some of the best workers and thinkers on campus. I should mention that we do have two houses just off campus, McKelvy House and Reeder St., where our most "intellectual" students can reside. Both houses host weekly dinner discussions that any student can attend.</p></li>
<li><p>Cliquey behavior: Thankfully, the formation of cliques isn't nearly as prevalent in college as it is in high school. Sure, you'll quickly form a close group of friends (typically your neighbors in your residence hall), but most students are willing and eager to "socially network" through extracurricular involvement. If anything, Lafayette's small size ensures you'll get to know your peers and professors well over the course of four years.</p></li>
<li><p>Social life: While we do have the requisite "college parties" on weekends, student groups, academic departments, and a student-run activities forum are constantly sponsoring campus-wide events (musical performances, comedians, lectures, etc.). I always say that the "health" of one's social life on campus is totally determined by one willingness to "get out there," to get involved. There are almost too many ways to get involved in college, so for many students, it's a constant challenge to maintain focus on academic pursuits.</p></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>p.s. Sleep much? If you're up at 1am during your high school years, good luck finding the time to sleep in college!</p>
<p>Thats good to hear!</p>
<p>And about the cliques, yeah the small size of lafayette was one of the things I wasn't sure if i'd like or dislike, because my high school at the moment is very small and veryyyyyyy cliquey! But then again Im not yet a college student so I wouldn't know, but if cliques are a high school thing only then that would be great!</p>
<p>Would you say that if you go to Lafayette you will have to become Greek?</p>
<p>Thanks for answering!</p>
<p>Haha and yes, I am understandably very anxious about this whole college process so it's resulting in my perusing of these forums till lateeeeeeee in the morning =D</p>
<p>bdmet2491,</p>
<p>About 1/3 of students (2,400 total student body) affiliate with a Greek house. Of course, this means the majority of students are non-Greek.</p>
<p>I decided not to join, but my social life hasn't suffered in the least. I made a ton of friends during the "rush" process who are now in the Greek system, and we still hang out. I'll attend many Greek events throughout the semester, but I'm not limited to the events of just one house. While it's true that those involved are very proud of their affiliations, they rarely isolate themselves from the rest of campus. Of course, they're in all the same classes and extracurriculars as everyone else!</p>
<p>So, yes, "going Greek" is a feasible option at Lafayette. For some, it's the perfect option. For others (myself included), the traditional residence hall environment fosters a comparable sense of community.</p>
<p>All I ask is you keep an open mind. Don't dismiss the Greek system at any college until you find out what it's all about. Interestingly, many students who eventually "go Greek" had no prior intentions of joining -- in due time, they find that the culture just "fits."</p>
<p>Now get some sleep!</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>I don't know if you'd know this candyman but any idea decisions on early decision applicants is ever done before the required month? I applied ED and everything was in by November 17th, so basically I want to know if there is any chance it gets here say by next week?</p>
<p>GoGBPackers_4,</p>
<p>Applicants who apply ED typically hear back 30 days later.</p>
<p>From the ED portion of the Admissions website (Early</a> Decision Plan):</p>
<p><<< Decisions on [ED] applications normally are made within 30 days of receipt of your completed application forms. >>></p>
<p>By next week? Ehh...probably not. Patience, young grasshopper!</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>Turns out your wrong :) I got the acceptance letter today. I'M IN! I found it odd that virtually no where in the letter does it come out and say "You are accepted" but rather says things like my "application has been favorably acted upon" and we are glad you will "continue the family legacy".</p>
<p>Haha, GoGBPackers, my son noticed the same thing about the letter when he was accepted. Congratulations!</p>
<p>Congratulations, gogbpackers! Great news!</p>
<p>And same to your son, Lafalum. I must have missed the news that he got in.</p>
<p>DougBetsy, my S is a Soph at LC. He got 2 years ago, ha ha. He loves it.</p>
<p>Doh! LOL. :)</p>
<p>GoGBPackers_4,</p>
<p>Congratulations! I'm glad I was wrong. I'm surprised you received such early notification, as it normally takes the full 30 days.</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>