Gettysburg College Top Questions

The students are mostly from upper-middle to upper class backgrounds, which can make a student from a lower socio-economic background feel a little left out at times. (I've experienced this a little.)

Students at Gettysburg are preppy, but they wear anything from sweatpants to dresses to class.

Gettysburg, until recently, was not a very diverse campus. However, more students of color and international students have enrolled in recent years. Different ethnic, racial, and social groups have formed their own organizations, like Allies (for LGBT) and BSU (Black Student Movement). That said, there isn't a lot of racial mixing on the campus.

The campus has a large international student population, and is fairly diverse for its size. There is a large number of clubs on campus, ranging from planning, languages, hobbys, arts, support groups, etc. Students are hard workers, but still know how to have fun. The greek community, while a fairly high percentage, does not dominate the social scene. Sororoities do not have houses on campus, due to a Pennsylvania law. Fraternities do exist. The food on campus is excellent, winning awards from the Princeton review. Many students are involved with the center for c[ublic service, allowing the college to create relationships with the town. Overall, there is a tight and close knit campus community.

Most Gettysburg students are from the Mid-Atlantic states, but with a good sprinkling from New England and other states as well. Many of the students are very preppy, sorority types and tend to dress up for class, but I don't fit into that category and feel perfectly comfortable there. People accept you no matter how much money you might have or might not have, and I haven't ever heard anyone talk about how much money they will be earning some day, unless they are seniors applying for a job. I wouldn't be able to tell you where most students fit into the political spectra because most students aren't that involved in campaigning or anything.

The majority of Gettysburg students are from the Mid-Atlantic States, but there are still many students from the rest of the US as well as international students. Students tend to be more aware than active and the campus tends to tilt slightly to the right on the political spectrum.

Many people say that diversity at Gettysburg isn't very high...and it isn't, but there is diversity. I belonged to the LGBT-Straight alliance on campus. However, there isn't very much socio-economic diversity. That being said, I don't feel that anyone would really feel out of place on campus. There are clubs and organizations for people of just about every religious, political, and racial background. Most students wear the basic jeans and a shirt to class...some wear sweats (which is rather frowned upon by most professors), and yet others dress up a little (a very few others).

Overall, Gettysburg College students are very friendly. It's not uncommon to say hi to several people on your way to class, even if you don't know them. Althought the student population is quite homogenous, I don't see those not fitting the "typical Gettysburg College student" being left out or descriminated against. The student body is really into volunteering and fundraising for different groups and events are run by students, Greeks, and the Center for Public Service.

Gettysburg is not a diverse school. Lets just get that out in the open. Its to the point that when the faculty mentions diversity on campus you can hear laughter from most of the students. Yes there are students from many states and many countries, but the GREAT majority of the students are white, upper/upper-middle class students from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut... with a few from the states bordering those. We have black greek life, and an international club, as well as a new club, E-race thats working to stop hate-crimes on campus. For GLBT, there is Allies. But, for the most part, people stick to what they know. People who are not white and upper-middle class are a minority. If you're not white and upper-middle class, you'll find some great people and make some great friends. You'll just have to look a little harder. Oh, one more thing, if you're looking for a college where you can roll out of bed and go to class, this isn't it. People take very good care of themselves and go everywhere looking perfect- unless its Sunday.

Gettysburg is made up of clicks that all work together at some point. The fraternities and sororities sit with each other and rarely include outsiders. As a male in a fraternity, I would find it difficult to enjoy Gettysburg College without being involved in some sort of organization. Most students are wealthier white kids from the Northeast but there is an increasing effort to recruit international students. Many students are politically aware and not afraid to voice their opinions. The newspaper consistently features weekly opinion articles by a liberal lesbian who argues for, but does not actually understand, diversity.