Enrollment: 2457
Average SAT: 648
Average ACT: 28
Most Popular Majors: Business/Commerce, General,Political Science and Government, General,Psychology, General,
Regular Application Deadline: 02/01
Student Faculty Ratio: 10.75:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 31
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $25,221.00

Best Campus Food
Little Race/Class Interaction
Lots of Beer
Major Frat and Sorority Scene

School Says - General Information
Gettysburg is a national college of liberal arts and sciences located in the world-famous town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Our 2,500 students are actively involved in an academically rigorous and personally challenging educational experience. With an average class size of 18 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, there are no bystanders here. Our students are passionate about all of their endeavors, taking advantage of myriad opportunities to make a difference in the College's classrooms and laboratories as well as in the greater campus community and beyond. From the very first semester, when almost all new Gettysburg students take an intensive First-Year Seminar, students analyze, investigate, research, discuss, debate, and present. They often collaborate and conduct research with the College's faculty (95% of whom have a Ph.D. or the terminal degree in their field), and they leave Gettysburg more than well prepared for productive careers and challenging graduate programs. Students come to Gettysburg because they know that they are going to be challenged academically, but they're also members of a dynamic college community comprised of students with diverse talents and interests. In addition to leading more than 120 student clubs and campus organizations, "Gettysburgians" are mindful of their responsibilities as global citizens. More than half of the student body pursue at least one of the College's extensive study abroad programs, and many become involved with Gettysburg's Center for Public Service. Gettysburg College prepares students to lead energetic, engaged, and enlightened lives. Gettysburg College is also home to the Sunderman Conservatory of Music and the Eisenhower Institute.

School Says - Student Body
At Gettysburg, students like to get involved. Whether you prefer to pack your schedule or concentrate on a narrower range of activities, you should have little difficulty tapping your interests to the fullest. With more than 120 student-led clubs and organizations and 24 intercollegiate (NCAA division III) athletic programs, Gettysburg provides students with a greater understanding of how different parts of their life complement each other. It's a place where students can immerse themselves in all the things that they love to do while making a difference in the life of the campus community. The campus offers an exceptional home base as students explore the world around them and prepare for rewarding lives and careers. Residential accommodations are excellent, and the College's food services consistently win rave reviews. It's no wonder more than 90 percent of students live on campus all four years. Over the course of four years, Gettysburg College hosts more than 3,200 lectures, films, plays, concerts, and workshops, and over 50 art exhibitions. Within minutes of campus are dozens of restaurants, pubs, and cafes; the newly-restored Majestic theatre, which features an 830-seat performing arts center, as well as two cinema theatres and an art gallery; and the spectacular Gettysburg National Military Park.

School Says - Academics
As part of Gettysburg's balanced undergraduate degree program in the liberal arts and sciences, students may choose from 42 majors, pursue interdisciplinary and self-designed majors, or complete one of several cooperative and dual-degree programs. The Sunderman Conservatory of Music combines Gettysburg's suburb music tradition and the strength of a leading liberal arts education. The College also provides preparation for professional schools in law, medicine, and the allied health sciences. The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in the following areas: anthropology, studio art, art history, biochemistry and molecular biology, biology, business management, chemistry, classical studies, computer science, economics, English, environmental studies, French, German, Greek, health and exercise sciences, history, Japanese studies, Latin, mathematics, music, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religion, sociology, Spanish, Spanish and Latin American Studies, theatre arts, and women's studies. The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in biochemistry and molecular biology, biology, chemistry, environmental studies, health and exercise sciences, music education, and physics. The Bachelor of Music degree is offered in performance. Area studies, interdisciplinary studies, and special programs include: African American studies; American studies; Asian studies; Civil War era studies; comparative literature; East Asian studies; elementary and secondary education (preparation and certification); global studies/area studies; international affairs concentration; Italian studies; Latin American studies; law, ethics, and society; neuroscience; peace and justice studies; and a writing minor. Dual-degree programs in engineering, forestry, and nursing, and cooperative programs in marine biology and physical therapy are also offered.

School Says - Admissions
If Gettysburg is your first choice, you are strongly encouraged to apply for Early Decision (ED) admission. Gettysburg offers two Early Decision deadline dates; the ED I application deadline is November 15 and the ED II deadline is January 15. Early Decision admissions decisions are mailed within one month of the deadline date. Regular Decision applications are due by February 1. The foundation of the admissions decision is a strong academic record. Grade Point Average and SAT I or ACT scores are important factors (SAT II tests are not required). Curriculum options open to students may vary from school to school, but in general we look for evidence of students' success in the most challenging courses available to them. Participation in accelerated, enriched, and advanced placement courses is highly desirable. What students do outside the classroom is also important. Participation in a plethora of activities and leadership positions helps to complete an application. Essays that are clear and compelling provide even deeper insight into the applicant. Letters of recommendation from both the secondary school counselor and a teacher provide further information about work ethic, personality, and potential. Personal interviews with a member of the admissions staff are strongly encouraged, but not required. Gettysburg accepts the Common Application (including the Gettysburg Supplement). A complete application file should include the following: Completed Application Form Gettysburg Supplement Teacher Recommendation Counselor Recommendation Secondary School Transcript SAT I or ACT scores (directly from The College Board or on an official transcript) $55 application fee Early Decision Form (for ED applicants only) Senior Mid-Year Grades Students applying to the Sunderman Conservatory of Music are required to audition.

School Says - Campus Life
Two things make Gettysburg College's location extraordinary--what's here and what happened here. Our 200-acre campus connects to a famous and engaging town that offers a variety of options when you decide it's time to head off campus. Downtown you'll find an eclectic array of stores, restaurants, and cultural offerings, including the Blue Parrot Bistro and the Ragged Edge Coffee Company, the newly-restored Majestic Theater, art galleries sponsoring First Friday openings each month, and many other attractions. Farther afield, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the area's challenging whitewater, great rock climbing and mountain biking, three nearby ski and snowboard resorts, and outstanding hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail. And the College offers easy access to three major metropolitan areas: Harrisburg (45 minutes), Baltimore (60 minutes), and Washington (80 minutes). The campus also sits less than a mile from the site of what many consider to be the single most important moment in American history. The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War, and its outcome defined the future of the United States. A few months after that event, Gettysburg students walked through town and heard President Lincoln deliver a two-minute speech that stands today as one of the most moving expressions of the ideals of freedom and equality ever spoken. Today, by educating students to become engaged and contributing citizens, the College contributes to shaping a world in which those ideals can flourish.

School Says - Cost Aid
Comprehensive Fee The cost of attendance at Gettysburg College includes charges for tuition, room and board. Allowances for books and supplies, transportation, and other personal expenses are factored into a student's budget for the purpose of determining aid eligibility. Typical fees for the are listed below. Various room and board options are available after the first year. Tuition: $37,600 Room (regular dorm room): $4,880 Board (unlimited access): $4,220 Total charges: $46,700At Gettysburg, we continue to honor a long-standing commitment to put the College within the financial reach of all students desiring to engage themselves in our dynamic community. Need-based financial aid, academic merit scholarships, and music talent scholarships are available. Thirty-four million dollars in scholarships and grants will be awarded from Gettysburg College resources for the 2007-08 academic year. Approximately 70% of the student body will benefit from these funds. The average financial aid award for enrolled students in the 2007-08 academic year was $28,888. Merit-based scholarships range from $7,000 to $15,000 per year. Applicants who are applying for financial aid should submit the Financial Aid PROFILE before February 15. The Gettysburg College Code Number for the PROFILE is 2275. In addition to the PROFILE, applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 and before February 15. The Gettysburg College federal school code for the FAFSA is 003268.

Students Say - Academics
Gettysburg College is a quintessential small liberal arts college, a place where "you can be challenged academically in an intimate environment of smaller class sizes and a smaller student-to-faculty ratio," enabling "students to develop a close rapport with peers and professors." Students here speak glowingly of the "welcoming community with limitless opportunities" to get involved and "grow in and out of the classroom." Those opportunities include "strong study abroad programs, community service activities, internships, and externships." Academically, "Gettysburg isn't a walk in the park. Your professors have expectations of you whether you are a first-year in a 101 class or a senior looking into a research proposal." Help is available to those in danger of falling behind; one student writes, "the offices are there to help you from calc-aid [tutors], biology [reviews], and the writing center...There is so much available; you just need to go take advantage of it." The school's strongest disciplines include political science, music, biology, environmental studies, and (unsurprisingly) Civil War-era studies. Gettysburg also "has a great management department for a small liberal arts school."

Students Say - Campus Life
"Greek life is where the majority of social life is centered" at Gettysburg, with a strong percentage of all male students joining a fraternity, "But that's not to say that there are not options beyond that." True, "Greek life is huge at Gettysburg, and for a male who chooses not to 'go Greek' life can be hard socially." It's not as big a deal for females, because "Gettysburg does not have sorority houses." The Greek scene as a whole is "not exclusive"-everyone "goes to the frats." Moreover, "The college doesn't allow rush to take place until second year, so hopefully students have made friends before making the choice to branch out into other social groups such as the frats." "Most everyone makes a conscious effort to get involved on campus in lots of different activities," so the Greeks, while big, aren't the only game in town. The school "does a lot of extras for the students, such as themed dinners, concerts, and special events," and "the activity board also brings bands and movies on weekends so there are other things to do." College sports teams "are very strong, both men's and women's," and "lots of students play intramurals or work out." Hometown Gettysburg, with its battlefield and "ghost tours," is a great for history buffs and has a lot of "small town charm"; others may prefer to "take day trips" to D.C. and Baltimore for fun, although each requires a 90-minute drive.

Students Say - Student Body
Gettysburg students tend to be "smart, outgoing, preppy, and determined," the kind of folks who "work really hard during the week and then have fun on the weekend," but also find time to "volunteer and [get] involved in extracurriculars, clubs, and athletics." Students admit that "there is very little diversity on campus, but the majority of the students come from high schools with the same situation," so many "don't notice the lack of diversity, though this can make you stand out if you're different." Students who don't fit the mold tell us they are comfortable here; one writes, "Gettysburg students tend to come from families who are mid- to upper-class, [and] there is a high percentage of legacy students on campus." Quite frequently, students show their wealth "in the form of clothing or cars," but "money isn't the only thing that matters here." While it may be plentiful, "Even if you don't wear Lily Pulitzer or Burberry you will be just fine as long as flip-flops are your favorite footwear!" Students tend to be politically conservative, although the "the Frisbee team is one niche of politically liberal people" on campus.

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