candyman92486

Dana,

In response to your question as to whether the Marquis Scholarship ($16,000/year for all four years and other perks) was the main reason I chose Lafayette, I can honestly tell you that it was NOT the deciding factor. I took the scholarship into serious consideration, mind you, but it did not dictate my final decision. I received numerous merit scholarships from other "more prestigious" schools (take that as you will...) that amounted to more than $16,000/year, so please keep that in mind.

Allow me to momentarily skip the "Why Lafayette?" question so that I may entertain your more straightforward questions.

Lafayette has one heck of an endowment, most of it coming from prominent alumni who feel they owe some form of gratitude toward the college for making their years here memorable. Doesn't that say something about Lafayette? I am not sure as to the exact amount, but even if I did know it, it would not accurately "stack-up" against some other schools. You see, Lafayette is small (2,200 students!), and our current endowment places us in the top 2% of schools in the nation in endowment per student. Please read that last statement very carefully. It means that Lafayette has the pecuniary resources to constantly expand student resources. For example, the complete renovation of Skillman Library cost $22 million. In addition, four new residence halls were just completed and an additional parking deck is almost finished. This semester, crews are working hard to completely renovate the interior of McKeen Hall and to convert an old frat into a new home for the History department. Whenever you visit a college and see construction/renovation of some kind, take it as a great sign that your money, and the money of others, is being put to good work!

Easton, Easton, Easton...it ain't THAT bad! It is a bit dungy, but no one ever feels unsafe because we all follow a simple rule: never go out alone. That rule applies to all college towns. It's just common sense. As for what there is to do in Easton: movie theater, small gift shops, great Italian/Thai/Chinese restaurants, Crayola factory, Wa-Wa, coffee shops, etc. It is currently under great restoration (Easton is putting its tax dollars to work!) and is fast becoming more student friendly. I take the L-CATS transportation service on many weekends to nearby Phillipsburg, NJ to stop at Wal-Mart and the local malls.

Dana, I am all for keeping it real. I know you don't want me to beat around the bush with idealistic responses to the ever-present "Why [fill in the blank with any college or university]?" question. In order for you to appreciate my answer, you need to attend a few classes that interest you and witness the dynamic between students and professors. Professor here care about their students and want to see them reaching their full potential. They hold office hours (of course), but most professor also give their home telephone number to students. They love their respective fields, and it shows in the way they interact with students. Keep in mind that they are here at Lafayette, a small liberal arts college, because they WANT to teach undergraduates. Of all the LACs I visited, the professors here at Lafayette impressed me the most...and remember, you are going to college primarily for an education.

Lafayette, simply put, is all that I have imagined...and then some!!!

Oh, did I mention the campus is damn beautiful? It is easy to feel comfortable here at Lafayette when you are surrounded by majestic, yet eclectic, architecture and sculpture. You can tell we take great pride in our school from the moment you step on campus.

Please keep in mind that Amherst, Havorford, and Middlebury are great schools as well. I actually have friends at each school, all of whom could not imagine being anywhere else. College is an amazing experience, and whether or not you end up at Lafayette, I wish you only the best in college and beyond!

J