Gettysburg College Top Questions

in a lot of cases, but there are still a lot of people who don't fit the stereotypes and it's not hard to find them

This is very accurate. Gettysburg College has developed this preppy atmosphere over time and it’s certainly not because of the metropolis in which it’s located. Truth is, if you are able to pay the College tuition outright with no federal aid, then you’ll fit right in with the everyday Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, J. Crew, J. Mclaughlin and Madras wearing students. Despite the headache you may get from the vibrant, pastel colored clothing, this preppy attitude adds to the culture of the Gettysburg Community.

There are a lot of people that fit the stereotypes; it can be a very "cookie cutter," one mold campus, but we still have a lot of diversity.

I'm sorry to say that yeah, some of these stereotypes are pretty accurate. There is a huge amount of drinking that goes on every weekend, and even during the week and during finals. It's crazy. And yes, Greek life is huge, and mainly consists of getting wasted. There are tons of really preppy people to go along with both, but that is not to say that Gettysburg consists of a group of mindless meat heads getting wasted all the time. On the contrary, the majority of students are hard workers and very bright. This is college, and you don't have to do anything you don't want to. It's your life and you call all the shots. So, so what if Greek life is huge? If you're into it, that's cool. And if you're not, you steer clear. If you're a drinker, you drink, but if not, there is a whole lot else to do around here. The college is constantly putting on events, including concerts and shows on weekends. There's plenty of food available, and lounge space inside and out where you can just chill with your friends.

pretty preppy, somewhat rich, very fratty, for the most part attractive student body

No. But Gettysburg is a college that costs almost $50k per year and adams county is one of the lowest per capita income counties in the state so it is understandable that the stereotype persists.

Often, they are to a certain extent true. Gettysburg is not diverse, and most of the students come from well off families who happen to be from the East Coast. While some kids do choose to literally party their college years away, many students are academically engaged and manage their time well.

Mostly yes. There are some exceptions though.

1. NO! Your social experience will be very different if you choose to have no interaction with the Greek system. That being said, you can't be involved until your sophmore year. When sophmore fall rolled around I decided I was too busy with sports and other extracurriculars to get involved in a sorority. 7 boys from my freshman hall joined the same fraternity, so I became an adopted member. Sophmore rush allows you to make your own friends before entering the Greek system. I just finished 4 wonderful years at Gettysburg without being in a sorority and I don't think I missed out on anything but headaches and meetings. 2. A lot of Nantucket red and sundresses, for sure. It's not all preppy though. Being an athlete I usually dressed somewhere between sweats and jeans. There are lots of different students at Gettysburg, from preppy to outdoorsy. Everyone can find a place.

Pretty much, unless you've got a group of GOOD friends who are willing to do other things than drinking and going to frat parties

There are many people that fall into both of those stereotypes but there are also a lot of students who dont fall into either of those categories and are really cool, down to earth, and interesting.

There is certainly a good number of students at this school who fit this profile and while they are quite visible they are not the only kinds of students here.

Some of the students party pretty hard, and there is pretty much always a party on campus somewhere, but there's a good balance. Also, the majority of students are not Greek and it's not difficult to have a great social life if you're not.

To some extent, yes. But I think there is more too it than that. Though there may be a lot of people who enjoy activities such as partying and may wear a lot of madras and j crew- the campus is full of active and involved people who just want to be part of a campus that can really contribute something- and also create a community that is great to be a part of.

For the most part, yes.

While there obviously is a majority of more wealthy kids on campus, there is a growing minority of lower economic kids that are appearing. While the majority of students are white, there is a growing (and very vocal) organization of black students, who have formed their own Black Students Union and Gospel choir independent of school run organizations. The majority of students do seem to come from the northeast coast however remember that New York and New Jersey are more easily accessible due to the proximity of US Rt. 78 and the fact that Pennsylvania is included as part of the Northeast, it only makes sense that the majority of students come from the northeast. However my second roommate was from Hawaii, and there is a growing multitude of international students, so Gettysburg is gaining different viewpoints in this manner as well.

While a very high percentage of the students come from very wealthy families and prestigious high schools there are still a number of students who would not be classified in this stereotype. The campus is small, but is not dull. My four years at Gettysburg were the best years of my life and I was devistated when I had to drive away from the campus the day after graduation. The campus is small but beautiful and the faculty is very close with the students and everyday you find a face you know.

There are a lot of people who do fit the stereotype, but there are also a lot of people who don't... basically, you can find friends who are similar to you or share your interests even if you don't fit in with the stereotype, even though it's pretty accurate.

A majority of students are wealthier, but this is to be expected at any expensive private college. There are preppy students and certainly J. Crew is popular, but there is a large population of the student body that follow their own fashions. The Greek community may seem like a large presence, but less than 30 percent of students are Greek. Students are obsessed with grades and partying: that's definetely accurate. The Gettysburg motto is "Work Hard, Play Smart."

Yes, but I believe that it is one of the things that makes Gettysburg a fun place to go to school -- there were a lot of other people there who were just like me.