Academics
Lafayette College is "a small, prestigious liberal arts school" that offers a "warm, community feel." Even before you decide to attend, "walking around campus left me with a cozy, at-home feeling," one psychology major gushes. Thanks to the "top-quality engineering education," many students say, "Lafayette is your classic liberal arts college with a twist" and point to the "vast array of research" and "study abroad opportunities" available to undergrads. The college "prides itself on student/faculty relationships." A geology major proclaims when professors are "good, they're great. Even the 'bad' professors, however, take the time to know each student and are usually available outside of class." An international affairs major says, "Whether you're an engineer, a premed student, or an art major, there is a great academic program and an embracing group of people waiting for you at Lafayette." Overall the professors get high marks because "their office doors are always open," and "are invested in seeing [students] not only graduate but also do well." The focus on undergraduate education provides "maximum opportunities and makes resumes and applications for graduate school and jobs look fierce!" Students go so far as to claim, "It's not very common to hear that someone doesn't like one of their professors at Lafayette." Generally, "classes are challenging but manageable, if you put in the time."
Student Body
Lafayette students are "passionate and driven" and "tend to be athletic, very preppy, and serious about their education." A sophomore says the typical student is "white middle to upper-middle class students from the tri-state area," but another adds, "Recent years have brought in a number of different types of people." "More lower income, international, and non-white students have joined" the Lafayette community. Regardless, some students point out that it can be "a very self-segregated campus." "These cliques are not unique to Lafayette, but they are present." Just under 30 percent of the student body is "involved with Greek life," and some feel that those "not involved in Greek life or sports can be isolated"; however, many students have felt a change occurring in recent years with Lafayette "trying to add more living learning communities (LLCs) to create a social living space outside the Greek system." On weekends, most students stay on campus, and "very rarely is there a weekend where something isn't going on." Organizations are always "sponsoring fun events, including Condom Bingo, which is a fan favorite. And if you're into the party scene, it isn't too hard to stumble into one."
Campus Life
At Lafayette, the "campus is gorgeous," and students say you feel the "close atmosphere of the school" after "immediately walking onto the campus." Overall students feel, "the campus community is very supportive," and a civil engineering major says, "The family atmosphere adds to the education and makes Lafayette feel more like home than school." With "over 200 clubs and organizations on campus," there "is something that will fit everyone's lifestyle and hobbies," and when it comes to their Division I athletics, "students radiate school pride." Lafayette boasts a "great career center due to the close ties alumni have with the college," and career services are offered to students during all four years of their undergraduate study. The administration actively requests "student forums and opinions when decisions need to be made." Some say "the facilities are first rate" and improving. In recent years, the school opened an arts campus, including facilities for the theater, film, and media studies departments, and a five-story sciences center.
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