<p>I'm a black student from an urban area. That phrase might of sound random, but for months now lafayette has been a top choice. Today one of my old college advisors told me that the school was full with "rich, snooby white students". I am all about being in a new culture with new people, but is that phrase really really accurate. Will a black male from Boston fit in?</p>
<p>Hi boston<em>man</em>2009,</p>
<p>It's really a shame how your 'old college advisor' is so narrow-minded and reliant on dated stereotypes.</p>
<p>While it's certainly true that the majority of students (upwards of 80%) identify themselves as Caucasian, that does not mean these students are all rich and/or snobby. Don't get me wrong: there is a smattering of those types of students on campus, but that's the case at 99.99% of America's competitive (read: expensive) colleges/universities.</p>
<p>I wouldn't fail to apply based on such a sweeping statement. If you decide not to apply to Lafayette, you should then avoid any/all of the Ivies and other small/elite LACs.</p>
<p>You'll fit in if you sincerely want to fit in. I know that sounds really obvious, but it's true. If you come to any campus with an accepting, open mind (which, judging by your post, shouldn't pose an issue), people will naturally gravitate to you.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>As a parent of a first-year student at Lafayette, I second what Justin said. </p>
<p>When my son decided to attend Laf, people told him the school was conservative, politically and in style. My son happens to be a political liberal and fervid Obama supporter and wondered how that would fly. I recently asked him how he found the campus political climate and he responded that it seemed, contrary to expectations, fairly evenly divided. He (who does value diversity and is not at all a spoiled rich kid) feels very good about his choice. Your advisor's info may be somewhat dated.</p>
<p>It is true that Laf could benefit from greater racial and geographical diversity, but if the school is a good fit for what you want, you can use those factors to give yourself an extra edge in admissions! If you like the school, please do apply, and also make contact with some groups on campus that might interest you.</p>
<p>Boston_Man -- Here are the stats relating to ethnic heritage from the Profile of the Class of 2012 which is posted on the Lafayette web-site:</p>
<p>African American 31 5.2%
Asian American 31 5.2%
Caucasian 385 64.7%
Hispanic/Latino 28 4.7%
Other 2 0.3%
Unknown 76 12.8%
International Students 42 7.1%</p>
<p>As you can see, 15% of the class identified themselves as African-American, Asian or Hispanic. Another 7% are international students. 65% indicated they are Caucasian, although I would guess that a substantial number of those who declined to identify their ethnicity are white.</p>
<p>As the parent of a freshman at Lafayette I would concur with Justin and jyber. My daughter is white, but certainly not rich or conservative (she's a registered member of the Green Party). Her circle of friends and dorm-mates probably runs about 70-30 in favor of Obama. Lafayette has a good number of international students and my daughter's friends include kids from China, Nepal, Europe and South America. She loves her experience so far at Lafayette and many, if not all, of the outdated stereotypes associated with the college have not been bourne out in her experience.</p>
<p>I agree that Lafayette still needs more diversification, both ethnically and geographically, but I think the College's administration recognizes that and is taking action to further those goals.</p>
<p>Thank you guys a lot for your time and opionions but Hudson 15% minority isn't that much and my ex-college advisor knows from past experience (she knew people who graduated from their and they said those things). I'm not trying to disagree with your thoughts. But Justin, I do like my "old (she is in her 20's) college advisor". I am going to apply to lafayette now.</p>
<p>boston<em>man</em>2009,</p>
<p>No, 15% (22% with int'l students) isn't that much relatively speaking, but it's in line with the numbers at comparable schools. From a historical standpoint, institutions of higher learning were founded by whites for whites, and the process of racial diversification is, sadly, still ongoing. </p>
<p>Keep in mind what jyber209 and hudsonvalley51 mentioned in their posts. The College has been working diligently, particularly over the past five years, to diversify the campus community (racial, ethnic, geographic, political, socioeconomic, etc.). Those who say the college isn't diverse, even if they knew people who graduated 5-10 years ago, may not have the most accurate picture of the school.</p>
<p>Feel free to love your college advisor. I quoted only because I wasn't sure whether you were calling her old in age or simply noting her status as your previous college advisor.</p>
<ul>
<li>Justin</li>
</ul>
<p>Boston Man -- Glad to hear you will be applying to Lafayette. You are right when you say that 15% is not that high a percentage...unless you compare that figure to other liberal arts colleges in the northeast. Certainly Wesleyan, Swarthmore and Bowdoin are way ahead of Lafayette when it comes to creating a diverse campus. On the other hand, Lafayette has made more progress than Bates, Colby, Dickinson, Hamilton and Franklin and Marshall. From what I have been able to determine Lafayette is pretty much in the middle of the pack among peer institutions in terms of expanding racial and ethnic diversity, and it is near the top so far as percentage of international students go.</p>
<p>I have neighbors who graduated from Lafayette in the mid-1980s. Their one word of warning was to be prepared to meet "lots of rich kids." While one of my daughter's best friends indeed turned out to come from a very wealthy family, the majority of her friends at Lafayette come from solidly middle class backgrounds and several have parents who might best be described as "working class." </p>
<p>I hope you can get a chance to visit Lafayette before or after you apply, since only you can decide whether or not the school feels like a good fit for you. Good luck with your college search.</p>