Hello!
I am hoping current students or parents of students/graduates can help…
My son is not a partier but very active in clubs, sports and community service.
He is looking for an academically challenging school and a place that values has a good balance between working hard out of the classroom but having down-time and fun.
Thoughts about Lafayette, Gettysburg and Marist?
Thank you!
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In addition to feedback here, you might read niche student reviews and have your student reach out and ask to speak to a student ambassador. They’re usually very honest.
Best of luck.
Has he visited? What majors is he interested in? Are the net costs of each comparable? Will any require parental loans?
My D graduated from Lafayette a few years ago and loved it. I definitely felt it found that “secret formula” where she felt academically challenged and still had time for friendships, ECs, research with professors etc. If you have any specific questions about Laf feel free to PM me. FWIW I’m sure many other colleges have this good mix as well.
We did look at Marist with my S and liked it a great deal but ultimately he went elsewhere.
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What year in HS is this student?
Lafayette and Gettysburg were top choices for one of my twin D23’s (we didn’t look at Marist, although FWIW I’ve driven past it a few times and can say the campus is lovely) — as both had vibes along the lines of what you described: strong academics + work very hard (but not in a cutthroat way) + clearly embrace the value of having a good time + strong school/sports spirit + beautiful campus walking distance to an attractive downtown + friendly/approachable student body + strong links to the community.
Both are terrific schools with a lot to offer, and absolutely worth visiting and kicking the tires if you and he haven’t done so already. Two other schools with similar vibes that might also be worth your consideration: Franklin & Marshall and St. Lawrence University.
One final tip, and thing I wish we’d known to look at this time a year ago: check out the Instagram page for the Class of '27 for the schools you’re considering — you’ll see self-constructed profiles and photos of admitted students, and scanning through is a great way to get a feel for whether or not the students are your kid’s kind of people (as we worked through options for both of our D23s, we found it fascinating how distinctive and differentiated the crowds can be from school to school (although I’d expect there to be significant stylistic overlap in the schools named above)).
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Just an anecdotal comment here but I had a couple of close friends emphasize the Lafayette network.
Thank you everyone! Very helpful.
My son is a senior and making a final decision soon!
Every year a few students from our NJ high school attend Lafayette. Nice and smart kids. I have heard only good things. My D’s friend attends Gettysburg as a recruited athlete. She’s also happy. Personally I would choose either over Marist. Good luck!
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Please let us know the decision. Congrats on the great choices.
Regardless of how good the team is Lehigh / Lafayette is one of the best rivalries in college football and is always a big event. We toured Marist with my D19 and it really is a beautiful campus, it had a bit of a Hogwarts feel. They also run lots of trips into the city for the day as well which is nice if he is more adventurous.
What major is he considering?
DD got accepted to both Lafayette and Gettysburg. She originally ignored Gettysburg and then she loved it. Unfortunately due to acceptance to some other program she will not attend either. But my vote is definitely between these two. ( I do not know anything about Marist). DD had no scholarship from Lafayette and had a top scholarship at Gettysburg. What school loves your son most? Love it back! Go with that one!
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