I'll Answer Your Lafayette Questions! Part I - Page 25

janesmom1 · 11-17-2006, 08:33 AM

Hi Justin-

Visited the college with my DD. We were both impressed. Anyway, it has risen to the top of the list. I think this is a place where she can really grow and learn. The faculty, students and administrators were all friendly and knowledgeable.

What I was impressed with was the level of maturity the students exuded. They all seemed focused.

By far, the best experience we had!

candyman92486 · 11-17-2006, 08:46 AM

janesmom1,

I'm so glad to hear of your positive experience visiting Lafayette with your daughter!

I just wanted to wish your daughter the best of luck with the admissions process. If Lafayette really is at the top of her list, maybe she should consider applying ED...

If you (or your daughter) think of any questions, post away!

- Justin

janesmom1 · 11-17-2006, 09:00 AM

Justin-

Thanks for the quick response! It is definitely at the top of the list. I am hoping that she will be able to get some merit aid since her stats are up there. If not I will try my best to send her. She is also looking at financially safe schools in NY State where we live. I am hoping I do not have to go that route because we were all so impressed with the school.

BTW, do you still have to interview? I asked, and they had said that an interview was not needed if she visited the campus.

candyman92486 · 11-17-2006, 09:37 AM

janesmom1,

If you think she has a shot for one of our merit-based scholarships (Trustee or Marquis), I'd try to schedule an on-campus interview. As I told another prospective students just a few days ago, admissions officers like to make sure they are handing out the scholarships to the "right people"...by meeting a candidate in person, they can really get a great sense of one's potential for academic success.

You do not have to interview (it is not a required part of the application process), but I would STRONGLY recommend it. Admissions officers say that the interviews are solely informative, but they are evaluating the candidate as well. For information on how to schedule an interview, please visit:

http://www.lafayette.edu/admissions/...tml#interviews

The off-campus alumni interviews are not very productive. The alumni's job is to share their experiences at Lafayette many years ago and convey their enthusiasm for the school. Admissions officers sadly do not take their advice into consideration.

You did already get credit for visiting the campus, but the interview could make or break your daughter's chances for a merit scholarship. I think another trip down to Easton, PA is warranted in this situation.

- Justin

janesmom1 · 11-17-2006, 03:19 PM

Wow Justin- had I known this I would have postponed our visit for the Open House and just scheduled the interview on a day when we could have toured the campus as well.

I doubt I will be able to make it back before the holidays. This is a bit disappointing as well as upsetting.

candyman92486 · 11-17-2006, 03:35 PM

janesmom1,

Oh, I hope my post did not upset you too much! An applicant is not, by any means, required to have an on-campus interview in order to be considered for a merit-based scholarship.

Many of our scholarships are awarded to applicants solely based on their application materials. The interview may just make the decision to hand out a scholarship a bit easier for admissions officers since they know exactly what kind of person will be receiving it.

Keep up your hopes! If your daughter's stats are really "up there", I'm sure admissions officers will seriously consider awarding her some $$$.

All the best,

- Justin

ursdad · 11-19-2006, 05:25 PM

my daughter did not interview and she was awarded a marquis scholarship.

candyman92486 · 11-19-2006, 08:18 PM

janesmom1,

See? There is hope for your daughter...even without having an on-campus interview, she still has a great chance for a merit scholarship.

Thanks for that tidbit of information, ursdad!

- Justin

Boonies13 · 11-21-2006, 06:11 PM

hey i have a question. Im an asian from california and I heard that Lafayette has pratically no asians or many ppl from cali so do you think the demographics will help me?

also, if i go to lafayette, i will need a LOT of money in financial aid bc i am raised by a single mom so will this hurt my admissions? will lafayette reject me bc i cant afford to pay for most of my education?

Bridie · 11-22-2006, 10:40 AM

Hi Justin. I'm a parent of a junior and I want to thank you for all your thoughtful, informative responses. We just attended the Lafayette Open House with our daughter a few weeks ago. It was her first visit to a "small" college and we wanted to see how she responded. She loved the campus and the student body and we were all surprised at how big the school actually felt. I know you've written before about the surrounding area, but I was wondering if there is anything within walking distance where students can go (even just to get a sandwich)--we didn't see anything right around campus but I wasn't sure if we missed something! Do students go off campus on weekends-are there off campus restaurants, bars etc.-parties? What is happening on campus on the weekends? I'm still trying to get a sense of the social life there.

Someone once told me to choose a college not by where you think you will fit in as a freshman, but by where you will still fit in as a senior. Do you think there is room for growth at Lafayette. Are the seniors happy to be there or do they get tired of the small, somewhat isolated atmosphere?

Scrowman · 11-22-2006, 10:56 AM

At the beginning of the year you and I had a short dialogue about Lafayette. My son had applied to Lafayette as a legacy and was admitted. His choice ultimately came down to NYU and Lafayette (you may recall he applied to Vanderbilt ED-he was rejected and relieved at that-too far away). He decided upon NYU and is VERY happy there. I continue to receive your responses to inquiries on CC since I posted on this thread and want to encourage you to keep up giving the good information you provide. I hope your diligence does not keep you from more important pursuits however! Good Luck to you Justin. (BTW- my son is named Justin as well).

candyman92486 · 11-22-2006, 07:39 PM

Boonies13,

Asian students are a definite minority on campus, and so are students from California. Believe it or not, I do know a few students from California (some are athletes and a few are engineers).

Even though I can't say exactly how much of an advantage it is to be an Asian from CA, being ANY kind of "minority applicant" will definitely increase your chances.

An applicant's financial situation has NO BEARING on one's chances of admission. If you are accepted, your financial need will then be considered. If it is determined that you need a fair amount of need-based aid, you will get what is necessary in order for you to attend Lafayette. Keep in mind that the college hands out about $25 million worth of grants to each incoming class.

For a rough estimation of your eligibility for need-based aid, why don't you consider entering your financial information into Lafayette's Financial Aid Calculator? It may take some time to gather the required information, but it has been specially designed for Lafayette applicants. It gives applicants a decent estimation of their "expected family contributions".

https://www.lafayetteexperience.com/.../estimator.php

Just keep in mind that you will not be evaluated based on your family's income.

- Justin

candyman92486 · 11-22-2006, 08:21 PM

Bridie,

I'm so glad to hear that your daughter enjoyed her time at Lafayette's Open House. I gave a few tours that day...it was pretty crazy!

Yes, there are many places students can go to get a bite to eat. Just off the east side of campus is a place called "Campus Pizza" where we can get a quick lunch and hang out with friends. Also along Cattell Street are three competing Italian Restaurants (Morici's, Juliana's, and Pizza D'Oro). There are also a few bars in that area mainly for upperclass students. Oh, there are also some great seafood restaurants on that street ("The Sea Hag" has the best New England Clam Chowder!)

An amazing coffeehouse called "The Cosmic Cup" is located just off campus and is a favorite of both professors and students.

Just down the hill in downtown Easton are various chain restaurants (Subway, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, etc.). There are also various ethnic restaurants (Indian, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, etc.) around center square. With a car, there are so many more options...the local shopping centers have many other restaurants (and places to shop).

Students will go off campus on the weekends to go to the local shopping malls, movie theater, supermarket, etc. Even though Lafayette does not allow first-year students to have cars, you can always just hitch a ride with an upperclassmen (trust me, it works!) or just take advantage of Lafayette's L-CATS transportation service. L-CATS is free to use for Lafayette students and runs on a regular bus schedule which is published online.

I'm not sure what kinds of parties you are imagining that are happening off campus...the bars will host themed parties on occasion...is that what you meant?

It is very difficult to get a sense of the social atmosphere at any college/university without being a student there. It is even more difficult for me to describe the social scene in words, but I'll try!

There are always musical performances hosted at the Williams Center for the Arts on the weekends. Both student-run and professional performances are free to students, so it's always a great idea to see as much as possible! There is always a movie playing in Limburg Theater (located in our student center) for students to see on the weekends. I will often work out or play raquetball in the Kirby Sports Center with friends on the weekend.

Various clubs and organizations on campus are always planning events. We'll have guest speakers come to campus, comedians, bands/concerts, etc. There is always the opportunity to see a sports game (football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, etc.).

There are always so many college-sponsored events happening every day of the week that I find myself choosing from a host of options. Our online "Calendar of Events" proves helpful in keeping the student population up-to-date on social events.

I'm not sure I entirely agree with that thought. A college-bound student should choose a college where they think they'll fit in from the first day they step on campus to the moment they graduate. If you have to wait a year or two before you feel comfortable at a particular college, maybe it wasn't the best choice.

There is definite "room for growth" at Lafayette. Students who aspire to take advantage of all of the resources we offer can opt to conduct research with a professor (EXCEL Program), study abroad, compose an honors thesis, etc. All of the resources are in place for a student to go crazy at Lafayette (in a good way!).

The seniors I am friendly with all say that Lafayette has provided them with everything they needed to succeed academically and socially. I think seniors really enjoy the small, close-knit environment at Lafayette. After four years here, you really get to know your classmates and your professors on a very personal level.

At Lafayette, we really are more than numbers on a piece of paper. When I walk around campus as a sophomore, I know that I'm an integral part of a special community. I feel important. I feel needed. When I am a senior, I can see myself becoming even more attached to this place. There's just something special about Lafayette that is so hard to put in words.

I'm sorry if I went off on a bit of a tangent right there, but I really mean what I say. Of course, Lafayette isn't for everyone, but for those of us who take part in the "Lafayette Experience", it really is a life-changing experience.

I wish your daughter all the best during the college admissions process!

- Justin

candyman92486 · 11-22-2006, 08:33 PM

Scrowman,

It's great to hear from you again! NYU is an AMAZING school, with such a vast amount of resources. I'm sure your son will have the time of his life.

Thank you for those kind words. Time permitting, I plan to continue answering the questions of prospective students. I've realized that the time I spend on this website is very important to many people.

From one Justin to another: "College will surely be the best four years of your life. Enjoy it while it lasts!"

It was a pleasure meeting you on this website and answering your questions.

- Justin

Bridie · 11-23-2006, 07:46 AM

Thank you Justin. I wish I was going to college again because Lafayette seems just like the type of place I would choose. I wish I would have known that you were one of the tour guides, I would have liked to meet you! We had to switch groups after a few stops (ours was just too huge!) and we were lucky to get on the tour of a soph girl (whose name unfortunately I can't remember) who was terrific! It is definitely on my D's list (she's been wearing her Lafayette sweatshirt to school) but of course we'll have to see how she does with her testing and junior year grades! I'll keep reading your posts! Thanks!