Limitless exploration. Faculty mentorship. A close-knit and inclusive community. 

As we inch closer to F&M’s application deadline, our students and recent alumni cite these reasons – and many others – when they reflect on why they chose to spend their undergraduate years at Franklin & Marshall College. 

Current Students

“I was trying to find a college that would see me for me, not some face in a 700-person lecture. In high school, I was very timid, and I very well might have drowned in work and loneliness at a larger college. At F&M, I've been given more than enough room to grow and flourish.”

– Lucy Bupp ’27

“F&M had always been my first choice because of its commitment to diversity and the global community. I was drawn to the College’s liberal arts curriculum, which offered a limitless exploration. The fact that F&M has a significant international student population (17%) was a big plus for me, as it meant I would be part of a vibrant, multicultural environment.”

– Binayak Jha ’27

“I chose to attend F&M because of the strong community. Everyone here, including students and faculty, are here to support one another. At F&M, you're never alone. There is always someone who wants to help and cares about your success.”

– Lily Murphy ’26

“I chose F&M because of its proximity to home and the prospect of being a Diplomat on and off campus. The College encourages students to become global citizens by broadening their perspectives through interactions with people from around the world. Additionally, F&M’s liberal arts education allowed me to explore a variety of classes and discover my own niche.”

– Fatimata Ly ’25

“I received a Posse Scholarship. I love how tight-knit the campus is, and the resources that F&M provides. I would not be able to flourish as much as I do here if the campus was bigger.”

– Johansen Vargas ’26

“I chose F&M for both the welcoming energy throughout campus during my campus tour and the life-changing financial aid it offers. I’ve made lifelong friends here while also getting to pursue an amazing education that I otherwise would never have been able to afford.”

– Jessica Perfit ’25

“I am someone who thrives in close-knit environments and one-on-one connections with my professors and peers. F&M’s small class size was perfect for me to engage well with my teachers and make the most of my learning experience.”

– Aayat Tahir '26

“I chose to attend F&M because of the amazing pre-med program. There was no other college I was looking at that had numbers even close to the statistics of F&M (for getting into medical school).”

– Hanna Winslow ’27

 

Recent Alumni

“I chose F&M because of its robust liberal arts curriculum, which allowed me to pursue my various academic interests. The professors’ emphasis on developing strong writing skills was also particularly appealing and helpful to me. Additionally, the generous financial aid package made it possible for me, a first-generation immigrant student, to attend college.”

– Lam Tran ’21

“I wanted to experiment with different courses of study before deciding what I wanted to pursue. Having a place that felt very community-oriented was also important to me, and I could see the way F&M prioritizes this throughout its student experience, starting right when you get onto campus with the College House system.”

– Maggie Corson ’23

“I knew I wanted to attend F&M the moment I stepped onto the campus. Growing up in Philadelphia, many of the schools I attended were and continue to be under-resourced. F&M showed genuine interest in me, my experience and my future ambitions.”

– Cesar “CJ” Cortorreal ’20

“The ability to engage in hands-on (noninvasive!) work at the Vivarium as an undergraduate at F&M was unparalleled. Now I am certain F&M was the perfect choice for me to begin to become an animal behaviorist.”

– Gabie Nealon-Shapiro ’23

“I was enticed to go to a large university due to external influences during high school. Upon further examination, I discovered that a small liberal arts school would better serve my development. Looking back, it was a great decision that I would not change.”

– William Lewerenz ’23

“I chose to attend F&M because of its renowned psychology program, extensive alumni network and the ongoing support it provides even after graduation, coupled with its financial aid offerings.”

– Pamela Hernandez ’24

“I wanted a small liberal arts school with a strong Jewish community and a diverse student body where I would be able to explore many fields and artistic passions.”

– Aviva Katz ’24

“As a first-generation college student, I knew immediately after coming to F&M that there were numerous support systems already built into the fabric of the school. I felt comfortable navigating the college space even without any older siblings or parents to lean on who had gone to college, and I never felt odd about going out of my way to ask for advice about classes, extracurriculars or careers.”

– Sydney Dzenutis ’23

SEE MORE RESPONSES

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