Lafayette College

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Students Say - Academics
Lafayette College is "a small liberal arts college" that is "especially strong in engineering and physical sciences." There are "very cool" undergraduate research opportunities. Career services "are also phenomenal" and "an excellent alumni network" provides abundant career and internship opportunities. The "efficient, helpful, and very accessible" administration "generally listens to the comments of the students" and does "a great job of keeping the school running smoothly." The biggest academic complaint at Lafayette is that the range of courses offered in a typical semester is too narrow. The classes offered tend to be "small" and "difficult." "You must study," reports an economics major. "Not every professor is the greatest." "There is the occasional professor who makes you want to tear your hair out." On the whole, though, Lafayette's professors are "really knowledgeable and really do care about how you do and what you take out of the class." "I feel like I get a lot of individual attention," says a chemical engineering major. "Professors will explain difficult material until you understand," relates a math major, " and not just say it once and look at you like you're stupid if you still don't understand." Outside of class, faculty members typically remain "extremely available" and "beg you to talk to them and meet with them."

Students Say - Campus Life
Lafayette is located on a hill above Easton, Pennsylvania. The "gorgeous," "scenic" campus is full of "picturesque North Eastern college-like buildings." A few dorms "are in desperate need of renovation," though, and the "repetitive" food is "not that great tasting." Socially, Lafayette is reportedly "very homey." "At almost any social gathering, there will be people you know." The "amazing" sports center is "a very popular spot." "Lafayette is a very athletic school and most students participate in either varsity athletics or in a club or intramural sport," explains a sophomore. In the fall, "football games are extremely spirited." The annual contest against rival Lehigh "is attended by basically the whole student body." Beyond sports, many students tell us "there is always something to do on campus." "Everyone is really involved," they say. There are "a capella concerts, comedians, movies, and club-sponsored activities." A"multitude of speakers" visit campus. There's "a broad range" of religious groups. Other students contend "there should be more to do." "I have not experienced the outpouring of entertainment at the school," grumbles a freshman. Whatever the case, "the party scene is really fun." The frats and various sports teams throw parties "Wednesday through Saturday nights" and many students participate. However, many others don't. "Half the cam- pus considers Lafayette a party school and the other half doesn't know what school the first half is talking about," suggests a junior.

Students Say - Student Body
Lafayette is a haven for "well-rounded," "preppy," "smart jocks," and "your classic white rich kid" "from New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania." "There is certainly a mold," admits a senior. "Everyone is pretty similar." "Collar-popping" suburbanites are everywhere. "Crazy-colored hair and facial piercings are not really something you see," observes a first-year student. "You will see a lot of smiling and door-holding," though. Students take pride in the "incredibly friendly" vibe at Lafayette. Many students are "hard-partying" types. There are also "the kids who live in the library 20 hours a day." Most students fall somewhere in the middle. "People like to have a good time but they are also serious about their work and are genuinely interested in their area of study." "Both conservatives and liberals" will find soul mates at Lafayette but many students are "almost completely apathetic" when it comes to politics. Some students "have a snobby attitude," but others either don't flaunt their wealth or don't come from money at all. "We're not all running around with iPhones and Fendi bags," says a sophomore. Ethnic diversity is pretty minimal. "There are a few minority and foreign students but they hang out with each other in their own little cliques."

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