Gettysburg College Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Hannah

This school claims to be inclusive and respectful of diversity but yet the student body is seemingly 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} upper class white students with extremely wealthy parents. I've repeatedly heard students say, "Its ok if I don't do well. My daddy has pull around here." The Greek life on campus is the central component of this school. The alcohol is running every night from Wednesday to Sunday. Fraternities are loud and disrespectful, especially towards women. I've seen students going to a 'white trash party'. They dress up and mock people who are not of their social sphere, yet the administration and staff proclaims that this school is tolerant and inclusive. Hazing is 'prohibited', yet every sport has it. In its favor, this school offers great academics, if you are not put off by its elitism and exclusionary lifestyle or their hypocritical attitude. It is a smaller campus in a decent sized town. The library is at the heart of the campus, with dorm buildings and academic halls surrounding it. The mascot is the Bullets and sports are a rather big thing.

Megan

When I tell people I go to Gettysburg, they always assume that I'm rich because I go to an expensive school. I'm not, but the stereotype is that everyone who goes there is wealthy.

Sarah

Gettysburg is a bubble. You meet more people from different groups and clicks and sports and activities and majors than you would at other schools because the school is small. Sometimes you'll feel like you're in high school with more responsibility, different people, and equal drama. The school is not haunted, and there will be ghost tours going through campus. Resist the urge to make fun of those people in front of their faces - I know, it's hard. Take advantage of the mini-microfridge in your room and get creative - Servo will not be so convenient and appetizing after a while. Also - if you are a big football fan, sorry the team isn't that great and doesn't have the enthusiasm of PSU but Lacrosse players are looked at as "Gods" (Choose to view them how you like).

Katie

Gettysburg is a beautiful college. The scenery and the small town close by make it a nice college area. It is a small school but everything is spread out to make it not all piled on top of each other. The town has a few nice restaurants and LD's (the Lincoln Diner, a college favorite because it is open 24 hours and has decent pricing) and if you are into it, the battlefields are gorgeous and provide a good break from campus but still can be informative. While on campus, many people spend a lot of time in their dorms, friends dorms, outside if the weather is nice, in an academic building (which are unlocked nearly 24 hours), the library (which is open 24 hours and provides students with free hot chocolate and tea after midnight), or other buildings such as the CUB (College Union Building which features the junction, ballroom, the bookstore, and dining services-Bullet hole and a special area which changes every year). If you are ever walking across campus and you don't see someone wearing some type of clothing saying Gettysburg College, then it must be summer! Gettysburg students are very proud of their school and you can see it when you walk around campus. Whether it is a sticker displayed in the window of a car, a student wearing some type of Gettysburg clothing, or the numerous laptops you see displaying the Gettysburg College logo, you will find students happily displaying their college. One experience I will always remember is the kindness displayed by students and administration upon visiting campus and arriving for the first time freshman year. On move in day, you pull up to your dorm with a car full of stuff and upperclassmen volunteer to help you take all of your belongings out of your car and to your room! Then for the next few days you do some ice breakers and fun activites with your orientation group, a group of students from your floor, in a great way to meet them; the best activity being Field Day, where your whole dorm building competes against the other freshman dorms in numerous field activites to try to become the top dorm! It is a great experience having you interact with your fellow dorm-mates and just have some fun before classes start. Professors in the first few days of classes take some time to get to help transition you from high school to college, and make sure that you are making out okay.

Katrina

The big picture of Gettysburg is: two degrees of separation. If you're looking for a school where you can be anonymous, this is not it. If there's someone on campus you don't know, it's likely that you are friends with someone they're friends with. This, combined with the fact that nearly everyone lives on campus, can make you feel like you live in the Gettysburg College bubble sometimes. You can get a reputation here, good or bad or whatever. Also don't come here if you want sports and school spirit--it's a DIII school. However, this small school, close knit atmosphere is just the thing for some people, myself included. There is greek life, so there's certainly some division, but I was an independent and had lots of friends in fraternities and sororities. At a school this size (currently around 2600) you really do start to feel like a big giant family, because you all know each other. It sounds really cheesy and I know if I were a potential student reading this, I might be rolling my eyes, but I just graduated a month ago and moved 1200 miles away and I miss it SO MUCH. I want to go back home to the burg!

Sharon

Gettysburg is just the right size for me. With 2600 students, I can walk through campus and spot several friends, but if I am in a mood where I need to spend some time alone or away from friends, I am able to do so. The size also allows for small class sizes and personal attention from the professor. Every professor I've had here has known my name by the end of the first week. The thing I love most about Gettysburg College is how easily I was able to sign up for activities and get involved. I didn't sing or dance before I came to college, and now I am involved in two singing ensembles and I dance 4-5 hours per week. I was also able to get involved in my academic area (Biochemistry) as a Lab Teaching Assisntant. I can help other students understand the material while gaining valuable experience helping others and learning more about a lab setting. The only thing I would change about Gettysburg is the lack of public transportation. Although the schools provide shuttles to and from airports and parking is available for sophomores through seniors, I find myself without a car and without a ride to the Wal-Mart on occasion. I have several friends with cars who are willing to drive me, but I'd really like to see a free shuttle service to local places as well as the closest airports and bus terminals.

Kendall

I think the size of gettysburg is perfect. I spend a lot of my time at servo, the dining hall on campus. It is a huge social area, and people sit there for hours eating meals. I also spend a lot of my time in the library. When I actually need to get work done I know to go to one of the upper levels, but if I have a small assignment and want to be distracted the first floor is quite a social area. There is so much school pride on campus. It's amazing to be around. I was a transfer from a school that had NO school spirit, no one went to the sports games, and no one really raved about it. I feel like everyone at gettysburg is just as much in love with the school as I am. The stands at every game are PACKED full of friends cheering and socializing. Its such a supportive environment. There isnt any other school that I would rather spend the next two years at.

Laura

Gettysburg College is THE best thing that has ever happened to me, and I couldn't imagine being happier anywhere else. I mean, there's no such thing as a perfect campus, and Gettysburg certainly isn't right for everyone, but I have loved every second of being there. It's such a beautiful campus, and even if you (like me) are NOT a history person, it's still cool to go through Pennsylvania Hall and know that it was used as a hospital in the battle (although the reenactors can take some getting used to). The town really isn't any kind of a college town, simply because it's so established with it's own identity already. Some people would rather have a good old college town, but I prefer it this way (although the teens and younger people that live in the town of Gettysburg can be kind of sketchy). It's really small, so it's very easy to get around town by just walking, and you really don't NEED to have a car. The college is also the perfect size for me; I feel like I can and do make a difference there and can stand out, but I still see and meet new people every day. 2600 is actually smaller than my high school! The college staff, like the people who work in the dining center and all the campus life offices, are the sweetest, kindest, most polite people I have ever met. The omelet lady will remember exactly what your order is every day after meeting you ONCE, and they throw events and theme parties all the time. I can just tell that it's always their goal to make my day better, and it works! The food isn't always awesome, and Servo is the only real cafeteria-style dining center on campus, but it's usually pretty good (I love the General Tsou's chicken). Freshman orientation was by far the most fun I've ever had. Four days of meeting new people, bonding with your hallmates, and being as crazy as you want. Springfest was also an awesome four days, when the school brought in a bunch of musicians and set up a kind of carnival on Stine Lake (which is no longer a lake, but a wonderful grassy quad). A lot of people are starting to complain about how much tuition has spiked lately and wondering exactly where all that money is going, but the school is planning on building a new athletic center, a parking garage, and a new music building. I have never doubted that it's in our best interest.

Nicole

I often feel like I am in a bubble when I'm in Gettysburg because it is very small and there are only so many things you can do over the weekends which become routine and boring. Most students drink or go to frats. The college hosts some concerts and movie nights on weekends but I don't think that a lot of students go to them. Washington DC and Baltimore are not far from Gettysburg and are fun places to go over the weekend but you need a car. The college has yet to provide transportation to cities on the weekends-I think they are working on it though. However I do not regret choosing Gettysburg and I feel that its small size has been beneficial to me academically. The small class sizes help you to build a relationship with your professors and receive individual attention. All of the professors that I've had were more than willing to help me outside of class. The best thing about Gettysburg is probably the campus which is very pretty (especially in the spring) or the food. There are many choices at Servo, the main dining center, the sandwiches at the Bullet Hole are amazing, and the cookies melt in your mouth. I always miss the food over the summer..Oh and another great thing is the study abroad program. About 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students study abroad during their time at Gettysburg. I went to Florence for a semester which was an eye opening experience and also a great way to get off of campus and travel.

Laura

Gettysburg isn't a widely known school. It's pretty small and it isn't particularly diverse. It's actually somewhat monochromatic. That said, anyone who attends Gettysburg will find a place to fit and people like them, even if they aren't part of the majority crowd. And the size is nice, making for small classes and individualized attention, in the classroom and out of it. Sports aren't huge at Gettysburg. Our soccer and lacrosse teams are very good, but the main sports, (football and basketball) are mediocre, depending on the year. If you're looking for Penn State-sized tail-gate parties, Gettysburg probably isn't the place for you. Greek life is a big part of campus life, seeing as there isn't a whole lot to do within the city of Gettysburg and there's no school transportation to big cities. The school and the student-run Campus Activities Board do a good job of planning events throughout the year, so almost every weekend there is something going on on campus. So if Greek life isn't for you, there is still plenty to do to keep busy.

Tommy

When I tell people that I go to Gettysburg College they immediately associate it with two things: being a good school and being in the middle of no where. They are right about the first part, it being a good school but they are wrong about the second. Although our campus is surrounded by battlefields and farms I wouldnt say it's in the middle of no where. Their are plenty of things to do in Gettysburg. You can shop as much as you want since their is an outlet mall no more than 5 minutes away. Also their are several big cities that are easy to commute to such as Baltimore, Washington D.C., Harrisburg, and Philadelphia.

Chris

I love the size of the college. Most of my classes are small (less than 20)- except for introductory courses, which have about 40 students. Professors are approachable and very friendly, but also professional. Don't expect to find much to do in the town of Gettysburg- we are surrounded by the national military park! It is a very good idea to get involved in some activities which will keep you busy on campus or which will bring you to other places. Like students at other small colleges, we complain about a lack in course selection, courses filling up fast, a lack of fans going to our football games, and the lack of diversity.

Maddie

Gettysburg is a litttle small. You can usually recognize about half the people on campus just by being in the same classes and whatnot. I think the smallness also limits many of the options for extracurriculars. I feel like it's pretty much sports or Greek life and if you don't want to play sports at the varsity level we don't have club teams for those sports because we don'thave enough people in the school. The dorms are reasonably nice and the food is good. The townies dislike college students in general. The most unusal thing about Gettysburg is probably the civil war element and the ghost tours that actually run through campus. People usually know at least the town of Gettysburg when I tell them I go here even though some of them will think it is in VA. I think the most frequent student complaints is just that gettysburg is such a small town that there is not a lot to do besides what is offered on campus.

Jenn

The best thing about Gettysburg is the community and support that you receive from the faculty and staff as well as the students. The school size was not that big and professors remembered your face as well as your name. When I tell people I go to Gettysburg they are shocked because it is a very prestigious school. Gettysburg has a town but it is not a "college town." The only thing that I wish there was more of, is school pride there's not enough.

Joann

Gburg is the perfect size, it's not too big but it's really not that small. There were tons of people I had never even met at graduation, and you're not "pegged" into a certain category or group unless you make yourself really obvious to the entire student body. I was always proud to say I went to Gettysburg, it has a great reputation in the area. I spent most of my time running on the cross-country and track teams, the battlefields were incredible places to train.

AJ

Gettysburg is a small, liberal arts college that offers great professor-student interaction and small class sizes. The sacrifice, I suppose, is that the campus is not located in a typical college town, so there are not a lot of activities to be involved in within the surrounding area. The college tries to compensate for this by offering a variety of clubs and activities on campus, and there are also many social groups to join. One aspect of Gettysburg that sold me was the off-campus studies program whereby students can study in a myriad of affiliated countries and pay the same expenses as attending Gettysburg. With that being said, however, Gettysburg's tuition and selectivity are increasing, making it difficult for low-income and underprivileged students to afford the college and ultimately adding to its stereotypical image as a predominantly caucasian prep school.

Erica

The best thing about Gettysburg is it's size. It's easy to walk to class and to find someone you know. Rarely do I walk to class without exchanging a greeting to someone either in one of my classes or from my dorm. There is not really much to do in the town unless you are a huge civil war buff and even that gets old quick. There are always activities on campus whether it's a basketball or soccer game, midnight madness, movies hosted by Cab or even Frat parties. The college realizes the lack of action in the community and they try to provide the students with things to do on campus. The faculty are very helpful and encourage students to stop by their offices even to discuss their personal life. Many professors give out their cell phone numbers and realize that students do have other commitments sometimes aside from class. When the sun comes out so do the students. Any time of the year, when there is a nice day you wont be able to walk through campus without the chance of getting caught in a game of frisbee, catch, bocce ball, golf, lacross, etc. And when it's hot, you might even mistake Gettysburg College for the beach with amount students trying to catch a good tan.

Alex

Gettysburg is an amazing place for a college. There is history all around and lots of activities to do both on and off campus. Although many people think that Gettysburg is in Virginia, South Central PA is a great location because it is close to cities like Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The general perception of Gettysburg is that of a rigirous academic institution with a great reputataion. Our President just resigned from her position so the college is in the middle of a search for a new President.

Mike

I think the best thing about Gettysburg is its faculty. The small class sizes allow for the type of atmosphere where students and professors are on a first-name basis (without it feeling totally awkward), and where conversations outside of the classroom are about not only course material, but broader issues that relate to, as one of my professors calls it, "the grand scheme of things." Gettysburg is just the right size for me, but I can certainly see how it might be way too claustrophobic for some people. It's not the kind of campus where you expect to only pass people you've never seen before when walking to class -- you get to know faces, and even though you don't know all the names, you sort of have that common bond of Gettysburgianship. (Yes, that's a made-up word.) I hate to keep going back to the J.Crew catalog stereotype, but if kids aren't wearing J.Crew, they're wearing their orange and blue. School spirit is very much alive in that sense, although the football stands are oftentimes sparsely filled on Saturday mornings for home games.

Tory

School is in interime president stage, so people may be scared off. Do not be worried, the college will not change. It is an excellent institution, one in the top 50 liberal arts schools recognized by the Princeton Review each year. I am a management (business) major, and would recommend against this college if serious about going into a business career. However, I had a fucking blast and don't regret one thing in the four years I attended at the school. It will have a special place in my heart forever.

Alex

Gettysburg is a relatively small 'fine arts' college, but it's size is perfect, by my standards. The town isn't really a college town, as it's such a tourist location, but the school is separated from where the tourists go about, and during the "down months", it may as well be a college town. There's always something to do, whether on campus or not, as D.C. and other cities are an hour/less away. One of the best things about the school is the professors, most that I've had thus far are superb. It's a tight knit community, and you'll be satisfied.

Alex

obviously gettysburg is in a historic town which is worth checking out (too many students don't have any idea what happened 145 years ago on their own campus). the school is a good size, small enough that you recognize most faces and know a lot of your classmates pretty well. it's not a strange thing to have a couple classes a semester with a couple of the same people. too many people do greek life, though if that's your thing it's pretty big at gettysburg. there's stuff to do but the town does roll up the sidewalks at about 5 and you have to drive a ways to find anything but farm fields, so you'd probably spend a lot of time on campus at events. most of the classes are pretty good and the academics are strong. the food isn't bad either, for college food. the best part of college is probably meeting people you live with around the dorm.

Dylan

If you're looking for a big town with a lot of hustle and bustle like Penn State, USC, Miami, etc., then you may want to look past this destination. Even though Gettysburg College is not very big, with a student population of 2.600 students, it's not very small either. All throughout my first college semester I considered transferring to a larger school (mainly because I grew up in a town 10 minutes away from the college – needed a new scene), but I stuck with it my second semester and started to get involved on campus. Other than playing football, I got an on campus job that worked with a large portion of the college administration. I eventually became part of the Greek system and became President of my Fraternity and increased my overall involvement with other student clubs and organizations. As I head into my senior year I can say that I’m glade I didn’t transfer. I’ve come to realize that because of Gettysburg College’s size I’ve been able to accomplish more here than I would have anywhere else.

Tory

Gettysburg is a very small liberal arts college with only around 2500 students. Everyone is very involved on campus with jobs, volunteering, extracurriculars, and in the classroom. Professors get the students involved in classes and always know your name. There isn't a lot to do outside of campus, but Gettysburg provides a lot of weekend activities.

Michael

The best thing about Gettysburg is the small classroom size. I love having a more intimate relationship with all my professors. They are great people, and most of them really know their stuff, although there are always exceptions. If I could change one thing about the school, I would be to increase the amount and variety of late night weekend activities, although that is already happening. The campus size and the size of the student body are just right. You have the opportunity to meet a lot of great people, both students and staff, but its big enough that you're never going to know everyone and are constantly going to meet new people. When I tell people I'm a student at Gettysburg, if they're my age they usually have no idea where and what it is, but people in the business world (the adult world) have heard of it, and know it to be a really good school. I usually spend most of my time hanging out in the dorms with all my friends. It's so great having so many people you know and love so close to you all the time. All your best friends are just a short walk away at the longest. You have no idea what campus/dorm life is like till you get here, its great. The administration is really good. They are experienced people who really know that they are doing, and are always open to constructive criticism to improve the college in every way possible. School pride is pretty prevalent. There will always be a large turnout at the football games, and parents and alums are always there to watch students in their matches. I'll never forget our opening orientation week before classes began in freshman year. Everyone was getting to know each other, and the Res Life staff was doing a great job of managing the ice breaking activities.

Gary

The school is small compared to other colleges and you will see everyone you know about once a day if you go outside. The school has a pretty decent reputation with people outside the college. The people of the town of Gettysburg hate college students. The past president was just kicked out for who knows what. She was relatively mediocre and most of the student body is happy she is gone. The most frequent student complaint is either about what type of food the bullet hole will offer and that the school keeps buying all the fraternities it can.

Cameron

I love the size of the school. It is small enough that you really get to know the other students in your major. I have never felt like a number here. I can go talk to professors and get help. It's also the small things like hot chocolate at midnight in the library during finals week that makes life a little less stressful.

Erica

The administration at Gettysburg works very closely with the students. When I needed a recommendation from the Dean of Students earlier this year, she met with me in person and was very enthusiastic about helping in any way that she could. This would never have been the case at a larger school. The town is quirky and very touristy during the warmer months of the school year, and it dies in a big way in the winter. If you're looking for a city or even a school with easy access to one, Gettysburg is not the place for you. Transportation services are reliable and readily available, but public transportation is nonexistant. Gettysburg is a beautiful area, but it doesn't offer the 'best of both worlds' (in terms of proximity to Baltimore and D.C.) that it advertises to prospectives. The best thing about Gettysburg is it's size--any student who wants a small school would find everything they're looking for here. It is easy to meet people, and social and Greek life are relatively open to all students. It's a very easy campus to get used to and a supportive community in which to adjust to college life.

Jacob

The best thing about Gettysburg is how beautiful the campus is, and how well it is organized that you're never more than 6 or 7 minutes from where you need to be. One thing I would change about Gettysburg would be to have the health center open at crucial hours, like all weekend. Especially at a frat school when most injuries occur on the weekends when people are stumbling around drunk. The school is just the right size. It's small enough that you know most of your class and can be friends with upperclassmen, and not so big that you never know your professors and your professors never know you. People usually respond with, "Oh I heard the academics are pretty hard there." These people are mostly right, and yet the academics are not so hard that you can't deal with it. I spend most of my time on campus in the Theater Building because it's what I want to do. This is also something I wish could change about campus. I wish there were a much bigger theater building, since the black box theater only holds about 30, maybe 40 people, which is really not enough for shows. There really is no town around Gettysburg. It's sort of a one shot deal. You see it, then you've seen it all. It's very touristy, so the food is pretty good, and the 7-11 and Lincoln Diner are essentials. Pings is an essential spot for good Chinese food. I think that the Gettysburg administration is fine. I don't really notice what they're doing. There is not really that much school pride. We don't have a very strong sports team in any sport, so people do wear Gettysburg shirts and sweatshirts and stuff, but there's no real face painting or foam fingers and stuff.

Rory

I just graduated from Gettysburg and couldn't stop crying as I left. The most wonderful thing about Gburg was the friends I made. From teachers to coaches to fellow students, Gburg introduced me to some of the most amazing people I've ever met. I'll never forget meeting my advisor at orientation freshman year. She pulled me aside after the group introduction and told me "Jane, you're the furthest from home. If you ever need anything, you can come over to my house and we can have milk and cookies!" Four years later I sat on her back porch as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes having hamburgers and hot dogs as part of our annual cookout at the Wright's house. Gettysburg will always be my home away from home. Because of my athletic schedule I didn't go home much. On breaks when other students went home I took advantage of opportunities like GRAB (Gettysburg Recreation Adventure Board), where I went kayaking and backpacking in the region. Over 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students live on campus all four years, and the ones who are "off" are so close to campus the term becomes laughable. 99.9{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of people stay for the weekend and if you do leave students will give you a funny look and ask why? Why would you leave Gettysburg? Orange and Blue are the best colors on earth. There's a good amount of school spirit, especially for lacrosse. Sometimes students are so involved in their own activities it's hard to attend a lot of others. The accapella concerts are ALWAYS packed!!

Kendall

Best things: education and the professors. The education system is highly flexible and you can basically design your own major in almost any way you'd like. It allows and encourages you to explore many realms of study, but if you don't want to, then that sucks at first, but you'll come to appreciate it later. For example, you must fulfill a math and a science (with lab) requirement in order to graduate, no matter what you major in. This may seem like a burden at first, but in reality it's better to have a basic knowledge of these things, since you will have many more doors of opportunity open to you once you begin hunting for jobs. You will have the choice of working in areas you never considered before you found the job, because the liberal arts education trains you to be a well-rounded person. I know it sounds cliche, and I didn't believe this at first either, but now I see how this is so. And naturally I am the last person to defend or say anything positive about Gettysburg, but I've begun to change my mind as of late. Now, when it comes to social life, I've learned that there is LITTLE you can do here unless you've got a close group of fun, outgoing friends who are open-minded and are willing to do other things than going out to frats and drinking. Even with that, at times there is simply nothing to do (other than homework) and you end up wasting a precious night of the little free time you may have on a friday or saturday night. Which is really a shame. But what can you do? Everything in town closes at around 5pm except the restaurants, which close probably around 10pm the latest. Unless you go to the little bars, which open a bit later...or there's Lincoln Diner which opens 24 hours. But that's it. Small town, lots of tombstones and cemeteries, and mainly nothing but white people (and a small latino population). Oh, right, there's also a small group of international students and foreign nationals, and the school's trying to increase diversity, but it's still lacking in social life. I guess if you ACTUALLY want to go to a school in the city with bustling crowds and a good social life, then it's very hard to get used to Gettysburg's environment. That's my story, anyway. It grows on you, though (the close-knit community of Gburg and the quietness, that is). But then again, social life is totally dependent on the people you hang out with. Without my friends, I would get the hell out of here ASAP. Well, even with great friends I am still trying to get the hell out of here, although perhaps not ASAP as in my first semester. Shame, I was beginning to enjoy it too. So overall, great education but the crappy social life detracts too much from this one good quality. My best advice to you: visit the school, and if it seems a bit boring and not you're thing, you are probably right and you won't be as happy here as you could be elsewhere. Think about it before you choose to come here solely because they offer you a shitload of money.

Laura

Gettysburg has a lot of nice facilities for such a small school, especially our dining center called Servo, which is one of the greatest cafeterias in the world. Unfortunately though, the school is definitely a business and sometimes we wonder where our $48,000 a year is going when certain things dont live up to our expectations. Right now we're all pretty sure its going to build the new state-of-the-art gym; whether or not we need it is debatable. The school itself is a bit small and very similar to a high school with the social scene. There's the "in" crowd, which is mainly the Greek community, full of very attractive Lily Pulitzer wearing sorority girls and rich frat boys who wear too much plaid and pastel and are drunk or high 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time. Then there's the nerds, who are obsessed with Civil War history or part of the music department, they don't really go out at night and they don't interact with the Greek life scene. In between these two groups are the students who are cool and interesting and have friends in both groups, like to go out at night, but can't quite break into the "in" crowd. There's pretty much an opportunity all 7 nights a week to drink, and some people take advantage of that. Gettysburg has basically perfected the art of the frat party. Also, sports are HUGE at Gettysburg even though they're DIII, especially lacrosse, and games tend to draw a big crowd. Gettysburg can be interesting as a town for a while but it gets really old. There are only a few bars that students go to, and some of them can be awkwardly full of townies who dont really like the students. Plus there aren't many of the common franchises that you might see in a normal area. My friends frequently drive 30 minutes to get their Dunkin' Donuts fix. Plus the closest nice mall is about 45 minutes away. Overall the best thing about Gettysburg in my opinion is the emphasis on Study Abroad. Over 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students study off campus, and my semester in Australia was by far the best thing that's ever happened to me. Gettysburg makes it really easy to study abroad and so many students have life changing experiences that they may not have had if they had chosen another school. Despite the many things I dont like about Gettysburg, I really appreciate that experience I had, because it was unbelievable.

Lauren

Gettysburg is a small school that offers the kinds of opportunities typically associated with larger institutions. From day one Gettysburg has boasted of the kinds of things its students were involved with outside of the classroom (excellent academics is a given). There are hundreds of clubs on campus, service learning classes, community service options, research opportunities, internships, Greek life, intramural athletics, and so on. Everyone is involved in something. You find your place here. It is definitely a work hard, PLAY hard atmosphere.

Jen

The Gettysburg community is great. It's just small enough that you get to know the people you run into every day on your way to and from classes, but not small enough that you run out of new people to meet. There actually is a lot going on on campus... you just have to go to Student Senate meetings every week to hear about it. Not much actually filters from the meetings to the rest of the students, but if you're in a club, your Senate rep should be conveying the information to you. Most of the town is full of touristy stuff about the Civil War (obviously), and while that might not be your thing, every student has to admit that it is pretty fun to watch people walk around in full regalia and sneak along with the outdoor ghost tours that walk through campus. It's all part of the experience!

Casey

Gettysburg is a relatively small school so you will know lots of people you pass on your way to class but you won't know everyone. There isn't much to do in the town of Gettysburg unless visiting battle fields is what you do in your spare time. You will probably find yourself amused by the many ghost tours that wander through the campus at night. If you are looking into playing collegiate sports, G'burg is D III so there is competition but it doesn't take over your whole life. Most importantly the food is good!

Kate

Gettysburg is truly a campus community. Its a place where you can easily find your niche and not want to leave. Though at times, it may seem like a TINY college- its big enough where you don't know everyone- even if you wanted to. I think the size is perfect. I spend a lot of my time in the Student Union building, drinking coffee- hanging out with different groups of people. Thats the great thing about Gettysburg, that I've found. You can have so many different groups of friends- and no one thinks twice about it. The only thing is that you have to be involved. It is easy to seclude yourself- and I think the people that are happiest at gburg are the people who want to be an active part of the community- who want to meet as many people as they can- and who want to contribute. The town is incredibly small- but nice. Don't come to gettysburg if you're looking for a metropolis by any means. It is, however, beautiful and the definition of "quaint". The administration is great, for the most part. There was some unrest with our most recent president but she is currently being replaced. I find that sometimes our administration can lean more in the direction of how gettysburg looks on paper rather than what is actually good for the school itself. I don't like that at all. I do think there is a good amount of school pride. People spend their saturdays supporting their friends at soccer, lax, and football games. We all are pretty pround to be "bullets" Gettysburg is awesome because it does have such a unique history. I mean, our administration building was a civil war hospital. I am not AT ALL a history buff and yet- i think its pretty sweet. I have had so many experiences at and through Gettysburg that I will never EVER forget. Whether it be Springfest, or an incredibly fun mixer, or traveling abroad for a semester to Vienna, or singing in Nicaragua with the choir Spring break of my freshman year- I can't repay gburg for all the wonderful memories. Hopefully there are still many more to come!!

Kelly

Gettysburg is a school centered around working hard and playing harder. The students are extremely studious, but the only reason they get their work done early is so they can party that night. There's a lot of school spirit, a lot of events centered around Greek life, and a strong sense of pride in being a bullet. Orange and blue are prominent colors in everyone's wardrobe.

Alex

When looking at Gettysburg College one should remember that it is located in the middle of rural south central Pennsylvania (which out of state people refer to as Pennsyltucky). Often I have heard people used to big city living (mostly from New York), complain that Gettysburg has no clubs, is located in the middle of nowhere, and is "too quiet and slow" for them. If you think Gettysburg is going to have a wild nightlife with parties galor, you'll mostly be restricted to Fraternities, which I've been told are tame in comparison to some of the clubs in New York City. Gettysburg however has the added benefit of being within an hour of Harrisburg, two hours of Washington D.C., and ninety minutes of Baltimore, so if you need to get to a larger city every now and then, you can team up with a few friends and perhaps make a weekend trip of it. As to the complaints of Gettysburg being a small town, how can the town grow anymore when it is surrounded by the National Parks Service (which often threatens to buy up more land every now and then), and whatever the government isn't buying up, the college is buying for extra housing. So while there exists "townies" and people who live in Gettysburg. Mostly I'd say that the very existance of the town itself is restricted to the point it's almost endangered.

Megan

To say the people who graduate from Gettysburg College have pride would be a huge understatement. As I drove away from campus after graduating my heart was breaking. The experience that I had at Gettysburg was unbelievable. The campus is gorgeous and the faculty is amazing. The best thing about Gettysburg is not just the beautiful structure but the feeling you have when you are there is undescribable. On beautiful days, you can see hundreds of students parading around campus either playing frisbee, laying out, or just reading. The number of students is a perfect number because if you want to see someone you can, and if you don't you won't. Everyone in Gettysburg is so close and so involved that the whole four years I was there I felt as if I was part of a family. Not only that, but every year I managed to meet new and even more wonderful people. While the school seems small, it isn't, because everyday you find something new and exciting about Gettysburg College. The social life at Gettysburg College is out of this world. Whether you are involved in a sport, part of a sorority, or just a next door neighboor, everyone is out just to have a good time. From fall to spring, there are always fun things going on. From football games to basketball games and then to the outstanding lacrosse season, there is never a dull moment in Gettysburg. Fraternities and sororities go out and support the sports teams and the sports teams support the Greek Life. The connection between students at Gettysburg College has no competition with any other school I have ever heard of.

Allison

I really like Gettysburg as a whole. I'm involved in a lot of activities (though I've learned which ones are most important to me and have been able to divide my time accordingly, so that I'm not overcommitted and stressed) and even though it is a fairly small school I feel like I get to be involved in all of the things I wish to do. The faculty are generally very accessible, friendly and willing to help, and same with most of the administration. The dining hall is particularly helpful - they have a lot of options for all different diets (including salad bar, tasty vegetarian and vegan options, and gluten-free fare) and the kitchen is always open if students have any questions (I have Celiac Disease and must eat gluten-free, so their helpfulness has been invaluable). The town is really small, so most of the non-academic student life still takes place on campus, but there's generally a lot of offerings on campus - comedians several times a semester, movie nights with recently released, popular movies, dances and that sort of things, and even happy hours (all organized through the college) - and then there's also student parties. Some complain of the small town but most seem pleased enough with the campus offerings (and the bars in town for the over-21s).

Sarah

The best thing about Gettysburg is the professors. As a freshman, I went to Spain with a professor--on the college's bill--for a month to take part in a conference. Professors are always available for advice and help, even if it is 1 am before the midterm. They are caring, inviting and incredibly knowledgable. Many of our professors wrote our textbooks and regularly publish or present research. This gives students tremendous research opportunities to work alongside professors. The school is tiny, but most students love that aspect. You really get to know the professors, administration and most importantly, your fellow students. Gettysburg has an excellent reputation in the PA area, but sometimes Northerners don't recognize the school or, worse, ask if it's in Virginia. The town offers two movie theaters, tons of restaurants, several bars, a bunch of coffeeshops and cute little stores. Serious shopping is about a twenty minute drive away and we're in close proximity to DC and Baltimore. The administration is usually very helpful, but they are several weird red tape issues that pop up. For example, you can take your foreign language credits at another institution, but you still need to test out of a language. Sometimes credits transfer but not grades, sometimes grades transfer but not to your GPA...it's a convuluted system. The school encourages off-campus study and has programs all over the world. More than half of our students study abroad at least once. Programs range from a music semester in Vienna, Austria to a semester-at-sea, where you travel the world in a cruise ship full of 700 other students. There is a ton of school pride, especially at lacrosse games. Many students claim to bleed orange and blue. We also have AMAZING food at Servo. The staff is fabulous and really care about what you think of the food. If you have a request, make it. If you have a dietary concern, they will make every honest effort to make your eating experience everything you require.

Vance

Gettysburg is prestigious small liberal arts college with the social life of a much larger school. We have very strong academics which are greatly enhanced by the small class sizes, but people also know how to have a good time. We are definitely a school that follows the "work hard, play hard" motto. Professors place a high priority on their teaching and the personal attention that students are given is great. The influence and popularity of Greek Life gives the school a great social atmosphere, and the opportunities for leadership and campus involvement are endless. While the Greeks dominate a great part of the campus, there is definitely "something for everybody" and people usually are able to find their niche. It gave me what I consider to be the ultimate college experience.

Emily

The best thing about Gettysburg is probably the social familiarity between students, professors, and the town. Relationships run deep in such a small community. If I could change one thing... it would probably be a minor thing, the style of dress. I've seen enough popped collars, plaid, and pastels to last a lifetime. Then again, I'm for Oregon and just am not used to the preppy scene. ...Also the party scene. It's pretty intense and is a little over the top if you ask me. There are plenty of fun things to do while sober! Everyone appears to be pretty happy on campus and really enjoys attending. I find it to be very friendly and familiar. People are always outside playing and chatting.

Amy

Gettysburg is truly a community--you feel at home here, you go out to dinner with your professors and you gain more than just a school; you gain a second home. The town doesn't particularly like the college students but there are few acts of vandalism or crime.

Nikki

ok, so the campus is beautiful no doubt, and after spending a semester at another university for an "abroad program in the US," i appreciate it so much more. our professors are intelligent and open minded. they're not egomaniacs that love to hear themselves talk, they really do care about your input. with about 700 students in each class, its the perfect size. sometimes when I go to the dining hall i look around and realize i know noone there, and othertimes i feel like i'm surrounded by ppl i know. it's kind of right there in the middle, so that you know a lot of the kids in your class, but you still dont know everyone in your graduating class by the time you graduate. it's kind of a closed of atmosphere, which can be good or bad. we really do live in the college bubble, removed from the town, or so it seems. we all party on or around campus and there are a lot of places to eat within walking distance. you kind of grow spoiled, knowing your furthest walk is going to be about 10 minutes across campus.

Andrew

The best thing about Gettysburg College is the social atmosphere. It is a very sports oriented school and the athletes are treated in high regards. When I tell people I go to Gettysburg they are surprised that I got in to such a prestigious school.

Kara

best thing is the small campus, it is the perfect size if you are looking for a small school. I spend a lot of time in the College Union Building or my room or the library. It is close to downtown Gettysburg. Not much to do off campus, alot to do on campus. A lot of school pride at sports events.

Lauren

Overall, Gettysburg is a very good school. Class sizes are small and professors care about their students. There are excellent opportunities to work with professors on research projects and develop relationships with them, but the student needs to show interest. Outside of the college, Gettysburg is a charming small town. Although there is not much to do, recent expansion has brought an outlet mall and movie theatre(s). Gettysburg is always a tidy campus. The school's food is also good for dining hall food.

Ashley

The size for me is perfect. The campus is compact and class sizes are never too big that your professors don't know your name. Gettysburg is gaining popularity in the world of private colleges around the nation. It offers numerous activities and chances to get involved, whether through a saport, a hobby, a group or club. The town, while small, is a great college town. While tourist season begins in the spring and ends in late August, there are still things to do. There are a few movie theatres, malls, outlet shopping, cafes, restaurants, etc. Most of the professors hold PhDs or higher, and provide quality education to students. Many take the time to get to know you, some inviting students to dinner and taking inciative to know you as a person and as a student. What makes Gettysburg unique is the history and sense of tradition and importance of quality education. Gettysburg is committed to helpiung students succeed in any goals that their students set for themselves. By providing small class sizes, great student to professor ratios, and top professors from around the world, students find themselves in an enlightening and motivating environment. The sense of history and tradition is a core part of what makes Gettysburg special. It is one of the oldest colleges in America, with obvious historical implications to the American Civil War. Located literally in the middle of the battlefields, history buffs and anyone looking for some historical enlightenment will be welcomed at Gettysburg. Students have a tight relationship and everlasting bond with Gettysburg, as unintentionally becomes a part of who you are trying to become.

Alex

Gettysburg is pretty much amazing! It's small, with a lot of individual attention from professors if you seek extra help. They usually have a lot of office hours, and if you can't get to them, many profs will schedule you in when you can come in. It upholds its reputation of being tough academically, but the profs will bend over backwards to help you succeed. There isn't a whole lot to do in the town, which means that the Burg is a pretty big party school, but the vast majority of people respect and accept you if you don't fit into that scene.