Academics

Go to office hours!!! Even if its just to say hello - teachers here THRIVE on interacting and talking with their students. The more you're around them, the more they know you care. Classes are usually fairly small, but regardless if your class is 5 people or 50 you NEVER want your professor to have to hesitate for a second when glancing at that gradebook - you want them to know your face, voice and handwriting instantly. They're great people and they're their to help.

Franklin and Marshall will be as difficult as you want to be - and F&M will never run you ragged like other academically prestigious schools might do. The classes are rigorous, but not difficult if you are an active participant in them.

Professors expect a high level of attendance and dedication, and students here are very hardworking and motivated to learn and do well. The workload is very manageable with good time management, and professors are available throughout the week during their office hours or by appointment/email should you have any questions for them. Since F&M is a liberal arts college, there are general education requirements that require students to take at least one class in the humanities, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, foreign languages, non-western, and writing (which is typically fulfilled by the freshman seminar).

Almost everyone is a double major, joint major, earning a minor, doing pre-med and something else, studying abroad, or graduating early. Everyone takes a lot of classes, and learning and homework take up an almost ridiculous amount of time. However, I have learned so much by being forced to know the material before class, and then broadening my understanding through discussion. Its a lot of work, and it is totally worth it.

F&M was ranked at the 4th most rigorous college in the nation by Newsweek's Dailybeast and my experience thus far has affirmed this. I am currently on the pre-med track and the sciences here are no joke. But don't worry because if you manage your time correctly and get help when needed there's no reason not for you to succeed.