Lafayette College

STUDENTS AND FACULTY

Enrollment: 2,378.

Student Body: 47% female, 53% male, 76% out-of-state, 7% international (46 countries represented). Asian 4%, African American 5%, Caucasian 66%, Hispanic 5%.

Retention and Graduation: 95% freshmen return for sophomore year. 86% freshmen graduate within 4 years. 29% grads go on to further study within 1 year. 12% grads pursue arts and sciences degrees. 7% grads pursue law degrees. 5% grads pursue business degrees. 3% grads pursue medical degrees.

Faculty: Student/faculty ratio 11:1. 208 full-time faculty, 100% hold PhDs, 13% are members of minority groups, 35% are women.

ACADEMICS

Degrees: Bachelor’s.

Classes: Most classes have 10-19 students. Most lab/ discussion sessions have 10-19 students.

Special Study Options: cross-registration, double major, dual enrollment, exchange student program (domestic), honors program, independent study, internships, student-designed major, study abroad, interim sessions here and abroad. Special programs offered to physically disabled students include tutors.

Career services: Alumni services, career/job search classes, career assessment, internships.

FACILITIES

Housing: Coed dorms, special housing for disabled students, men’s dorms, women’s dorms, fraternity/sorority housing, apartments for single students, wellness housing, theme housing, scholars houses, Hillel House, arts houses. 100% of campus accessible to physically disabled. Special Academic Facilities/ Equipment: Art and geological museums, center for the arts, engineering labs, INSTRON materials testing machine, electron microscopes, transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, computerized gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer.

Computers: Students can register for classes online. Administrative functions (other than registration) can be performed online.

CAMPUS LIFE

Environment: Village.

Activities: Choral groups, concert band, dance, drama/ theater, jazz band, literary magazine, music ensembles, musical theater, pep band, radio station, student government, student newspaper, student-run film society, symphony orchestra, yearbook, campus ministries, international student organization.

Organizations: 250 registered organizations, 14 honor societies, 7 religious organizations. 7 fraternities, 6 sororities.

Athletics (Intercollegiate): Men: Baseball, basketball, cheerleading, crew/rowing, cross-country, diving, equestrian sports, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track/field (outdoor), track/field (indoor), volleyball, wrestling. Women: Basketball, cheerleading, crew/rowing, cross-country, diving, equestrian sports, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, softball, swimming, tennis, track/field (outdoor), track/field (indoor), volleyball.

On-Campus Highlights: Skillman and Kirby Libraries, Farinon College Center, Williams Center for the Arts. Environmental Initiatives: In addition to signing American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, three undertakings summarize the college s efforts towards responsible stewardship of the environment: Waste Reduction—Recycling, including composting. Purchases of materials/goods made from recycled materials and/or virgin material that is recyclable and produced from renewable sources. Resource Conservation—Seeking to enhance our energy use portfolio s renewable energy sources (i.e., electric power suppliers with more sustainable product offerings). Installation of conservation/efficiency technology to reduce consumption of water, electric power, and natural gas. Purchases of materials/goods made from recycled materials and/or virgin material that is recyclable and produced from renewable sources. Commitment to education and information dissemination of sustainable practices. Information dissemination through College website, public discussions, and campus publications. Inclusion of “sustainability” in our curriculum offerings (i.e., Environmental Engineering’s composting initiative) and as a cornerstone of orientation week for new students. New curriculum initiative at Metzgar property involving the growing of vegetables through sustainable and organic methods.

ADMISSIONS

Freshman Academic Profile: Average high school GPA 3.46. 59% in top 10% of high school class, 87% in top 25% of high school class, 99% in top 50% of high school class. 68% from public high schools. SAT Math middle 50% range 600-710. SAT Critical Reading middle 50% range 570-670. SAT Writing middle 50% range 580-680. ACT middle 50% range 26-30. Minimum paper TOEFL 550.

Basis for Candidate Selection: Very important factors considered include: Academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record. Important factors considered include: Class rank, application essay, recommendation(s), standardized test scores, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, talent/ability. Other factors considered include: Alumni/ae relation, first generation, geographical residence, interview, level of applicant’s interest, racial/ethnic status, volunteer work, work experience.

Freshman Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent is not required. Academic units recommended: 4 English, 3 mathematics, 2 science, (2 science labs), 2 foreign language, 5 academic electives.

Freshman Admission Statistics: 5,822 applied, 42% admitted, 27% enrolled.

Transfer Admission Requirements: High school transcript, college transcript(s), essay or personal statement, statement of good standing from prior institution(s). Lowest grade transferable C.

General Admission Information: Application fee $60. Early decision application deadline 2/15. Regular application deadline 1/1. Regular notification 4/1. Nonfall registration accepted. Admission may be deferred for a maximum of 1 year. Credit and/or placement offered for CEEB Advanced Placement tests.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

Annual tuition $38,810. Room and board $11,959. Required fees $305. Average book expense $1,000.

Required Forms and Deadlines: FAFSA, CSS/ Financial Aid PROFILE, noncustodial PROFILE, business/farm supplement. Financial aid filing deadline 3/15. Priority financial aid filing date 2/1.

Notification of Awards: Applicants will be notified of awards on or about 4/1.

Types of Aid: Need-based scholarships/grants: Federal Pell, SEOG, state scholarships/ grants, private scholarships, the school’s own gift aid. Loans: FFEL Subsidized Stafford, FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford, FFEL PLUS, Federal Perkins, college/ university loans from institutional funds, HELP loan to parents (Lafayette Loan , Program).

Student Employment: Federal Work-Study Program available. Institutional employment available. Highest amount earned per year from on-campus jobs $1,000. Off-campus job opportunities are good.

Financial Aid Statistics: 41% freshmen, 45% undergrads receive need-based scholarship or grant aid. 11% freshmen, 13% undergrads receive non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. 36% freshmen, 38% undergrads receive need-based self-help aid. 2% freshmen, 1% undergrads receive athletic scholarships. 47% undergrads borrow to pay for school. Average cumulative indebtedness $20,745.

Criteria for awarding institutional aid: Non-need-based: Academics, athletics, leadership.

About Us

Universities Today is a website dedicated to help you find your best fit colleges, apply well, and pay the bill easily. We work hard to meet all your needs in college admission.
Read more

Ask the Expert