F&M College | Check out amazing student stories and experiences! 

Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, F&M is home to students from over 40 countries. Along with having a strong education system, the college offers a vibrant social life with 100+ student clubs, 11 intramural and club sports teams, and much more. The research opportunities provided by F&M College are popular with all students. 

We connected with some students to share their experiences studying at this prestigious institution and what this place offers. So, read ahead to see what the students have to say about the college. 

Life in F&M’s College Houses, in the words of Vyas Agarwal

The College House residential system at Franklin & Marshall College shapes the intellectual, social, and physical landscape of the campus. Inspired by the models at England’s Oxford and Cambridge universities, the five College Houses at F&M have onsite faculty members. The residence halls and open common areas are where faculty and students meet for events and discussions. Students also take on leadership roles as house advisers and members of their house government. 

Senior Vyas Agarwal is a peer adviser at Brooks College House. We asked the Kolkata resident and Animal Behavior major what he likes best about living in his house.

Why do you love the house system? 

F&M’s house system instills a sense of belongingness that helps me sail through the day, as I always feel I am an integral part of the house. The close-knit community allows me to know people from different backgrounds and develop lifelong friendships while being a part of something bigger, and I will always cherish this.  

Tell us about your favorite house memory

One of my favorite memories is from the time I joined this house – The Phoenix Ceremony which is unique to Brooks College House. During the first-year orientation, Brooksians jot down something they would like to remain in their past as they enter college. The notes are kept in the ceremonial Phoenix Sculpture, which is placed into a bonfire on Hartman Green. After this, they write something that they want to achieve or improve upon, and this note is handed back to students when they graduate. This exercise helps us reflect on our younger selves and realize how much we have grown since the time we joined. 

Read how Aryaa Ogale is building skills with a Sports Medicine Internship

Experiential learning is a hallmark of the F&M academic experience. The summer months of June, July, and August are popular times for students to dive into experiences related to their fields of study. Every year, hundreds of F&M students use this time between academic years to build real-world experience through internships and fieldwork.

We talked with Aryaa Ogale, a Biology major from Thane,  about her sports medicine internship at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, India. She logged 340 hours as an intern at the hospital during the summer of 2022.

Tell us about your summer experience. What was a typical day like? 

I interned in the sports medicine department with a sports physical therapist, where I used to attend to patients from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some patients were regulars who were doing rehabilitation post-invasive surgery, and others were being treated for ailments caused due to old age. 

I learned about patient care and machine usage on patients to speed up the healing process. Besides, I also gained insights into designing and executing programs, including manual therapy and other techniques for patients based on their particular condition and age. 

What inspired you to take on this experience? 

I have been a professional squash player for over 12 years and have suffered three injuries. One of the major injuries forced me to pull out of the Indian team, which was extremely heartbreaking. After that day, I took my workout routine seriously, and over the next few years, I gained a deeper interest in human anatomy and body mechanics.

I decided to be associated with sports but also pursue my passion for the human body and return to sports mechanics, so I took up physical therapy. I joined Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital as an intern.  I only wanted to intern at this hospital because I wanted to be on the flip side, from being a patient to observing how doctors treat them.

Why did you choose to attend F&M?

I chose F&M due to its small college community, challenging academics, and amazing squash program. I was also attracted to its location, small community-like life, and good connectivity to nearby big cities while allowing me to focus on academics.

Shaamyl Anwar, the faculty mentor, develops Mobile Security Software

Undergraduate research is an integral part of the academic experience at F&M. In fact, 65% of students participate in a faculty-led research project, independent study, or guided reading.

Working alongside Ed Novak, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, senior Shaamyl Anwar developed software that automatically implements dynamic information flow tracking in Android apps at the assembly code level. When it is completed, the software will help enhance the security of mobile devices. Here’s what he has to say about the project and his experience.  

What is the benefit of the assembly code? 

The advantage of instrumenting assembly code is that it is readily available by reverse engineering Android apps using open-source tools like Apktool.

Tell us about your experience of working on the project

I appreciate being able to work so closely with a knowledgeable faculty member who was willing to guide me and answer my questions along the way.

I learned a great deal about programming practical software and authoring research publications under the guidance of an extremely knowledgeable mentor. On top of that, implementing cutting-edge cybersecurity was tremendously enjoyable and insightful.

Key takeaways 

• F&M college enrolls around 2,283 students and offers 60 fields of study.
• The college’s campus life allows students to engage in discussions, interact with people from different cultures, and build lifelong friendships. 
• The above testimonials clearly show how much the students value the research and other opportunities available at F&M, which helps them thrive. 
• You can learn more about the college, courses offered, campus life, etc., on their official website. 

Are you ready to apply to F&M? If yes, drop a comment or reach out to us to assist you in the process. We’d be happy to help. 

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FAQs

Q1. What is the acceptance rate at Franklin and Marshall?

Answer- The admissions are competitive, with an acceptance rate of 37%. 

Q2. What are the core areas of study at Franklin and Marshall College?

Answer- The four core intellectual areas of study include-

• The Sciences
• The Social Sciences
• The Arts 
• Humanities

Q3. Do students need to live on campus at F&M college?

Answer- F&M has a four-year residency policy, which requires all enrolled students to live within the college portfolio of housing for all four years. However, a student might commute to campus if they live with parents or guardians within a 50-mile radius of campus.