DD admitted to Lafayette, Dickinson, and Gettysburg wanting to study political science or history most likely (still a bit undecided, but not STEM). We are not eligible for need-based financial aid and she got the following offers:
Lafayette College - no merit aid - will cost about 82K a year
Dickinson College - 35K merit aid - will cost around 47K a year
Gettysburg College - 41K merit aid - will cost around 41K a year
As parents, we’re fine with either DIckinson or Gettysburg for costs. Lafayette would be more uncomfortable, but possible with some big sacrifices…
I know the rankings in general (Laf>Dickinson>Gettysburg), but curious what others might think about these three for a politics/history/non STEM kid. She won’t be participating in Greek life, but isn’t bothered if half of the school does. She’s politically liberal and I’d call her preppy - I suspect she’d find her crowd at all three - she’s very respectful around others who think differently.
Are we the jerks ruining her future if we limit her options to Dickinson and Gettysburg and remove Lafayette??? Is there REALLY a difference here worth the cost?
My D graduated from Lafayette and had a wonderful experience. I would recommend Lafayette whole-heartedly. However, given the price differential and stress it would create on family finances, it makes sense to focus on your daughter’s other two very fine options.
If possible, try to revisit her top affordable choices.
As a Pennsylvania resident, I see these three schools as peers. I think for a political science/history major, either Dickinson or Gettysburg would be just as good as Lafayette. Gettysburg is especially good for history (Civil War in particular). I think she would fit in fine at either Gettysburg or Dickinson. (Obviously, if she were interested in engineering, Lafayette would be the (only) choice.) Has your daughter visited these campuses? I think Dickinson is a bit less Greek-oriented than Gettysburg, but I know a girl who is very nerdy who went to Gettysburg, so there will be all types at both of these schools.
I know who should be gone - great school - but that’s a big differential for an unknown major or history/poli sci (which Gettysburg, for history, can be great) and then what if she goes greek, etc. You say she won’t but a lot of kids say that and then do. But even without, it’s a lot.
You are absolutely not jerks if you eliminate Lafayette. You are saving either $35K or $40K a year - and it sounds like $140K is not immaterial to you.
Now did you have the budget discussion up front - i.e. we only have x $$ so if you get into a school above, you need to have merit or remove it?
That makes it easy. All parents need to have that discussion up front…from future readers.
Let me ask you this - forget rank - when she’s on the campus of all three, where does she feel best?
You mention Lafayette is > but is that on rank or feel?
Honestly, if it’s going to end up a social science kid, then I’d say zero difference.
Dickinson does have some business offerings if that might be an eventual interest.
Finances are always first, then fit - and to 99% of all people out there, all three will be great schools but there won’t be a huge “perception” difference.
For history/political science, I would conskder Gettysburg and Dickinson better than Lafayette.
Gettysburg is stronger in American history, Dickinson in anything international, perhaps a bigger focus on prelaw and career prep.
Based on what you say about her, Dickinson may be a better fit but it all depends on what interests her wrt her major (ie., domestic v. international focus).
Does she actually prefer Lafayette? Even at cost parity, I don’t think I’d necessarily choose Lafayette over the other two for history/poli sci. At double the cost?? Au revoir, Lafayette!! Don’t even agonize about it! There is no reason to make big sacrifices when the other two options are terrific and so much more affordable. On no planet are you jerks for not offering to spend an extra $120K+ for no good reason. If you feel uncomfortable about simply spending less (which IMHO you shouldn’t - you’ll still be paying close to 200K all-in), tell your kid that since she earned that discount, you’ll reserve [whatever percentage of it you’re comfortable with] for her future grad school, home downpayment, etc. But absolutely, limit her options. If she isn’t limiting her own options at the sight of those numbers, it’s only because she doesn’t yet understand large sums of money.
That said, this brings up the importance of clear communications about budget, from the beginning. A number of members here make a strong case for setting a budget, and then backing off and letting the kid choose any offer that is within that budget, even if other offers are much cheaper. I definitely understand that thinking, and I don’t think it’s a good thing if the kid expects this scenario, and then the parent starts yanking options that they’d previously agreed to, because of more affordable merit offers. That can feel like a bait-and-switch, or like they’re being punished for earning a scholarship. But in my opinion, it’s okay to set the expectation that, “We might consider paying $X maximum, if the opportunity is really really special. But we’re not offering a blank check up to that amount - there will be cost-benefit analysis once all offers are on the table.” I have no idea what your understanding with your kid was, at the time when apps were submitted. But, Lafayette isn’t a no-merit school; so it’s entirely reasonable that you could have okayed the application, without implicitly agreeing to pay full price.
For social sciences, Dickinson and Gettysburg are probably stronger and better known than Lafayette anyway.
Dickinson is located in a small town that is easy to access from campus (2mn walk) with shops& restaurants, an independent movie theater, a farmer’s market… there’s a courthouse where students can intern and the War College which is important for geopolitics as well as a former infamous “Indian School” (ie., opportunities to hear national speakers and do research).
Gettysburg is located in a smaller, charming and touristy town (logically, as it’s the location of the famous battle, with local reenactments). Greek life is more central than at Dickinson. The campus is very nice. History is especially strong.
My dd is also choosing between Dickinson and Gettysburg (and Franklin and Marshall)- didn’t apply to Lafayette. I think she is leaning Dickinson but they are so similar it’s hard to choose! Gettysburg does brag about their food, which can be pretty important. Both towns are cute and easy walks from campus but Carlisle seemed a little quieter as far as through traffic which is nice. Gettysburg does have a strong greek presence, but rush happens sophomore year which gives plenty of time to get a sense of what’s what.
Iirc, Dickinson has a special collection of primary sources for American history. Gettysburg, of course, is great if the interest is more Civil War focused.
Lafayette is an excellent school but for her interests, no better than the other two. It sounds like the social vibe at Dickinson might appeal more to your D. I appreciate that she’s confident she’ll find her tribe anywhere.
I might look at those two and try to map out 4 years at each, thinking about everything from distribution requirements, major requirements, study abroad, etc and see if there are any noteworthy differences that make one better than the other for you. (If looking at study abroad, consider how that merit is applied for that. Since Dickinson runs its own programs, it’s likely very easy to do. Otoh, if those programs don’t interest her, than could be a con for the school.)
Two really nice options. Personally, I liked Dickinson a bit better – it felt a little more serious and a little less regional – but that’s my taste only!
Keep in mind that Lafayette is a small LAC with both Engineering and Div-I athletics. Div-I sports teams can be very intense. So, by the numbers on College Navigator, about 1/4 of the students are engineering and also 1/4 are Div-I athletes which I’m guessing only partially overlap. So, it might feel even smaller?
When we visited, the number of athletes was very apparent in such a small student body.
Not jerks. Not ruining her life. I think the schools are largely seen as similar in non STEM majors, rankings notwithstanding.
Think of it this way. Let’s say you DO make those uncomfortable sacrifices. You could make a strong case for Gettysburg and putting the extra $42k per year in a money market account and giving her the $180k when she graduates, either to spend on grad school or pursue a career-establishing job that doesn’t pay well.
Have you visited all three? While they are generally similar schools my son did feel like there were certainly differences between Dickinson and Gettysburg.
He was recruited to play a sport so process the is a bit different but he talked to a number of schools he narrowed his choice down to those 2. He spent a day on campus at each and ultimately decided Gettysburg would be a better fit for him. His reasoning- Gettysburg is a bit more conservative and he felt there was more of a school community and enthusiasm around clubs and sports. He liked that Gettysburg is a residential school (required to live on campus all 4 years) and that freshman all live together. He’s a bit of an introvert but will get involved if the opportunities are easy for him.
I do think he also felt like the academics may be a bit less rigorous at Gburg and as an athlete that was a plus. He was alao very impressed with the alumni network and involvement, which again felt like a right community.
My honest opinion is Lafayette is absolutely not worth the additional cost and I don’t think she can go wrong at either gettysburg or dickinson! Congrats to her!
I agree with the discussion above. The only thing I would add is that if Lafayette would be her top choice if they all cost the same, you could try appealing the merit award as the other two schools are comparable institutions. But for history/poly sci I don’t think Lafayette is better. Don’t get caught up in rankings, where what are actually not real differences get magnified because someone made a list with an ordinal number.
Love the school that lpves you. Grown and flown has a great post about this.
Gettysburg alum weighing in here, majored in Political Science and then went on to a career in Finance. I agree with others, in my view there is no discernable reputational difference amongst that peer group. Particularly given your daughter’s intended major, I cant imagine paying 2x the cost unless she was in LOVE with Lafayette and money was no object. US News is very flawed blunt tool, if you want a meaningful ranking I prefer Payscale, which measures undergrad outcomes over mid-full career. https://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/best-schools-by-type/bachelors/liberal-arts-schools
I decided between Dickinson and Gettysburg, and chose Gettysburg b/c of the strength of their Poli Sci and History departments and didn’t regret it. I have no idea if they are strengths of Lafayette, but PS is certainly right in the wheelhouse of Gettysburg and Dickinson. Gettysburg has a great alumni network in DC that I was able to tap into for an internship and their partnership with the Eisenhower Institute there. I also just preferred the campus and town to Carlyle and it seemed more social/fun. I loved my four years there FWIW.
I can confirm, the food at Gettysburg is great, especially the chocolate chip cookies at SERVO! The new Student Union is also beautiful, I ate there with my kids when we were touring campus last year and they had really good salmon sushi rice bowls. IMO, Gettysburg’s campus is just better laid out and more open/prettier, but perhaps it is b/c it abuts the Battlefields and you have those great vistas. In terms of vibe, my impression is Gettysburg is bit more preppy/sporty and less liberal, but my impression is it is on the margins. Town is a bit bigger and has more options b/c of tourist trade. They have similar student bodies, but G-burg does have greek life as you point out to the extent that is of interest. In the end, tell her to follow her gut, both great schools and she can’t go wrong with either choice!
To the extent it matters, Gettysburg (ranked 19 among LACs) is ranked higher than Dickinson (ranked 92) grads when it comes to pay over a career.
OUTCOME: first, thanks to all for such helpful comments. Petitioned Laf for merit based on the other two offers and they came back with 15K - more comfortable to consider. Went to all three college’s accepted students events to circle back around for fit. Dickinson missed the mark on vibe for DD - felt a little lopsided regarding dialogue on campus without political balance. Lafayette lacked political science outcomes/opportunities like we’d seen with the other two and DD felt it was a little too lopsided economically with mostly Porsches, BMWs, and Mercedes pulling into the parking lot in front of us. In the end DD felt the best fit at Gettysburg - not quite as overtly opulent and more balanced politically. Visited Gettysburg a third time this morning to be sure - then put down deposit. Think we got the right one financially and for fit - we’re loving them back. Thanks again.
