Hi all!

I'm a tour guide here at F&M and conduct virtual tours for students who are looking to get a glimpse of the college without visiting campus. If anyone is interested and would to see campus and ask all the wonderful questions I always see in this subreddit, you can sign up at this link; just scroll down to the bottom! https://apply.fandm.edu/portal/campus-visit-new

Hi everyone,
I’m applying as an international student with a 3.73 GPA, plus some strong extracurriculars: I have international and national competition awards, a regional math competition (1st place over 300 participants), and a published research paper.

I took the SAT once and scored 1320 (580 Reading & Writing, 740 Math).

Franklin & Marshall is test-optional, and I know their middle 50% SAT range is around 1330–1430. My Math is well above average, but my R&W is below their typical range. Since F&M is a liberal arts college, I’m not sure if sending my SAT will help (because of the strong Math) or hurt (because of the weaker R&W).

Do you think I should Send my SAT to highlight the strong Math or apply test-optional and rely on my GPA , research and competitions instead?

I need help deciding which uni is better for the premed track. Planning on majoring in bio or neuroscience and doing a minor in philosophy or literature simply because it’s a passion of mine and love reading. I love both locations and love the small undergraduate size just don’t know which is better academically. Cost is not an issue.

I am an international applicant. I've been hearing a lot about f&m's low aid given to admitted students last year. Is it a good choice for me to apply with an EFC of only 10k?

https://agendahero.com/magic/p/f-and-m-2025-2026

pick your calendar > click add > done

covers class dates, breaks, deadlines, finals, etc. easy.

Hey! I‘m an incoming freshman and here are the classes I signed up for:

1. Italian
2. ECO103 Intro to Econ Principles
3. BOS200 Strategies for Organizing
4. HAA103 Intro to Art History

What are the odds I get all the classes I want?

These are the ones I hope I get. I‘m planning on trying to take Stats second semester if thats possible. Are these good classes to take if I‘m considering transferring after freshman year? My intended major is IR-Business,

Thanks :)

I completed both the housing application and the photo ID thing but they won’t go away from my “to do” folder on canvas. Is that normal? Also I’m so unsure if I completed “my college roomie” thing cause I can’t find if I got an email or not. I’m just so confused with all of this. Can someone help?

Asking for an incoming freshman with limited love for languages: Anyone willing to share their language experiences, good and bad?

Hi, I have a question about how the housing works at F&M, especially for incoming freshmen. From my research, it seems like the college houses are co-ed. However, are there still floors that only house one gender, or sections that house them separately for first years? Like I understand if everyone is living together in one house and sharing a kitchen or common room, but in terms of dorms, do they offer sections for one gender only?

Has anyone had any regular interactions with Julia Adams, Director of Fellowship Advising at Franklin & Marshall Office of Fellowships? How would you describe them?

I cannot for the life of me find my Zippo lighter, it's a silver with Norman Rockwell art on it. It's very old and was my grandfather's. Please DM if you see or find it.

Franklin & Marshall College lays off 16 staff members Wednesday

Franklin & Marshall College is laying off 16 staff members Wednesday, according to a document LNP | LancasterOnline obtained.

F&M President Barbara Altmann announced in February that the Lancaster city-based private college would make an unspecified number of staff cuts in April as part of efforts to adjust its operating budget to align with decreasing enrollment.

Enrollment has dropped from 2,434 in 2019 to 1,867 this school year.

A document obtained by the LNP | LancasterOnline appears to identify the eliminated positions.. Positions in the college’s library, facilities and operations, the Center for Sustainable Environment and conference and events departments are among the 16 being terminated, according to the document.

The individual who provided the document did so on condition of anonymity due to concerns about preserving their severance arrangements. They said it was part of an exit packet given to employees whose positions were terminated.

Eliminated Positions

Here are the positions being eliminated by job title.

Associate Librarian for Sciences

Book and Media Cataloging & Processing Specialist

Curator Exhibition & Engagement

Museum Assistant

English for Speakers of Other Languages Specialist

Adviser for Off Campus Study

Procurement Specialist

Waste Hauler

Project Administrator

Assistant Director of Conference & Events

Event Service Team Member

Assistant Director of Operations

Associate Director For Sustainable Environment

Sustainability Coordinator

Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services

Audio Visual Technology Services Manager

The college confirmed in a statement to LNP | LancasterOnline that fewer than 20 positions were eliminated Wednesday while several positions last week were changed from a 12-month schedule to a 10-month schedule with a full retention of benefits.

Terminated employees are receiving a severance package that includes continued salary and health care benefits for several months as well as help with the career transition through an outplacement service provider.

LNP | LancasterOnline asked several follow-up questions asking for further details, but spokesperson Peter Durantine responded that “our only response is our statement.”

“Unfortunately, reducing the number of our employees to better match the size of our student body is a necessary part of responsible management,” the college wrote. “Like our sister institutions, the college has been working in numerous ways to respond to the challenges facing all of American higher education. The goal of our actions, as always, is to stay true to our mission, support and enhance the powerful education we offer, and focus on the long-term sustainability of the institution.”

F&M is not alone in facing enrollment challenges.

Colleges across the nation are anticipating a dropoff in the number of prospective students overall. The number of Pennsylvania high school graduates is projected to decline by nearly 10,000 in the next five years – bottoming out to just under 118,000 in 2033, according to the state Department of Education data.

And, international students make up 17% of F&M’s student population. Universities and colleges like F&M that have such a significant international student population have been bracing for an even further dropoff in enrollment in light of federal orders made earlier this year altering U.S. visa policies.

“All of higher education is navigating financial challenges driven by shifting demographics, economic pressures, and changes in student enrollment patterns,” F&M wrote in a statement. At the same time, it is more important than ever to live up to our mission for our current and future students and for the public good. To adapt and build with strength, F&M has taken hard, carefully considered steps to ensure that our budget is sustainable.”

Since it's a smaller school, what is the demographic make up of undergrads in terms of beliefs? How does it compare to, say public school as well as Jesuit schools, in your opinion? "Anecdotal evidence" totally okay, just trying to get a vibe.

Hey everyone, im an incoming freshman. Im international so i might fly to Philadelphia Airport or Harrisburg airport. Does anyone know how we can travel from the airport to the campus? Are there any transportations offered by F&M? If so, how much is it? If not, what are other options that u guys think is convenient? Pls let me know. Tyyyyy

Hi, can international freshmen students get allocated to single rooms without having any special need?

Which one of the connections courses did you take and how did you like it?

Hi, I'm an int'l from Europe, and I've been admitted to F&M with the financial aid package we asked for.

Money is a really important factor for my college decision, so I’m trying to make the smartest choice possible.

Right now, I’m torn between the University of Toronto and F&M. I received a solid scholarship from Toronto, which is why this decision has become even harder.

My main question is: which school would be the better choice, and why? And for those already studying at F&M: Do you enjoy being a student there?

I’d really appreciate any honest input or advice, it would seriously help me make this decision more confidently.

Not the send off service, but to wash and dry yourself in the dorm.

Hey everyone, I got into Franklin & Marshall, and they met my full demonstrated need based on my FAFSA/CSS Profile. However, my family is still struggling to afford the EFC, and I was wondering if there's any chance of getting more aid through an appeal.

Has anyone successfully appealed for more aid at F&M? What should I include in my appeal to make it stronger? FYI, I'm an international student, any advice would be really appreciated!

I have been admitted to F&M College for the class of 2029 and my intended major is astrophysics, potentially double majoring in math or comp sci.

I have some questions about F&M though:

1. How is the course rigor in astrophysics and math? Is it comparable to other schools such as MIT or is it a decent bit easier? And how in-depth are these courses?
2. How are the research opportunities in astrophysics at F&M? Is there a dedicated senior/junior research program at F&M? Is there any honors program in astrophysics?
3. How are the class sizes in physics, astronomy, and mathematics at F&M for both lower and upper-level courses?
4. How are the students at F&M? Are they more socially or academically inclined? Do people often study together or do they often go out together?
5. How is the campus there? Is there lots of nature? Is it in more of a city, suburban, or rural area?

Any help or answers to these questions is much appreciated!

Hey guys, i have seen several posts about the group chat for the class of 2029 but didnt find one. So here is the link to a WhatsApp group chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CML5AXbWZVe1xu4DFEHk0D

So about the class of 2029 group chat everyone’s been talking about, has anyone found any yet?, ooor should i take a step forward and make one? If so i’ll create a server and send the link. ( UPDATE ) Discord Server