Gettysburg College Top Questions

With class sizes relatively small, close professor-student relationships are possible, if you wish to pursue them. I've been close with several of my professors, and near all of them are always available for help and advice, in and out of class. In higher level classes, discussion on average is interesting, but in lower level classes, many students are just trying to get by easily as possible. In the right crowds, discussions continue outside of class, it can be a cerebral environment, if you want it to be. There are unique classes available, from seminars that specialize in specific areas to broader courses. Much of the learning at Gettysburg is directed at mind expansion, and not necessarily work orientated, which to me, is more interesting.

profs know who you are within a couple of classes at teh beginning of the semester. some gburg students have intellectual convos outside class, and some don't. It depends on what you're interested in. a lot of the classes cover a broad range of topics and really exemplify the liberal arts ideal of interdisciplinary knowledge. a lot of businesses look for liberal arts degrees so it helps you get jobs as well as learn for learning's sake. the music department is its own entity. things are changing rapidly in the department--its growing a lot and there are more opportunities available. but some of the change is uneven and for those of us who've been here these last few years (when it switched from a music departmnet to the Sunderman Conservatory of Music), it's been a little more turbulent than we would like. but there is a wide range of staff members and interesting talents and interests within the department. the english department is also goign through changes hiring new professors, as many have retired. whereas people hang out in the music building, the english department isn't quite the same bonding experience, though some people hang out with profs after class.

The academics at Gettysburg College are tough, but rewarding and also extend outside the classroom. There are two different kinds of learning at Gettysburg – the academic side and the experience side. This will ultimately depend on your personal motive, but there are some students here that live and breathe academics; the ones that will go to the library and bring pillows and blankets with them because they know they will be there all day and all night. I was never a strict academic person so I branched out and learned a great deal through my on campus experiences whether it’d be through jobs, fraternity, etc. Students are pretty outspoken and compete heavily, but even though it may seem like a challenge it can only strengthen your development as a person. Professors are very welcoming and offer their help whenever you need it. You may even become close enough to go out and have a drink with them on occasion.

The classes are definitely challenging and keep you working. Most of the professors are great and really involved with their students. Gettysburg's great at making connections for the future and for the present. Class sizes are small...the largest is around 50 students, so there are no huge lectures. If you want to be hidden and uninvolved, Gettysburg isn't for you.

The professors at Gettysburg, for the most part, are both very personable and extremely intelligent. Within the first week of classes, all of your professors will know your name and something about you. The difference here at Gettysburg is that it is small, and the professors care about each and every one of their students, unlike the teachers of some huge lecture hall at a large university. You have the advantage at Gettysburg, in that you can go to your professors at pretty much any time and ask questions, get quick and insightful responses, and really get to know your professor. My favorite class so far has to be Spanish 301. I'm biased though, because I love the language. But the professor really knew how to teach. He was the epitome of college professor. He was kind, intelligent, insightful, empathetic and funny. He even brought the class to his house to have dinner and meet his wife, the whole wile speaking Spanish. That is a pretty regular occurrence here. Professors really want to know about you, what you're interested in, where you've been. It's great! The academic requirements aren't too strenuous here. You have time, usually, to take both required classes, as well as electives you have an interest in. That is not always true, as it is dependent on your major. I know I have a lot of time to take interesting courses, being a Spanish major, but my Bio and Chem friends have it pretty tough. Learning here both sets you up for jobs in the real world, as well as for learning for learning's sake. This is a liberal arts school in the true sense. You come here to explore the possibilities, not just to focus yourself in one area. I have many friends from Europe who came here to escape the system of going to school only to train yourself in one subject. If you want an engineering degree, or something to that affect, this is not the place for you and you'd better apply to Drexel, or Carnegie Mellon or someplace like that. But if you want to train for the workforce while also exploring what this world is about, Gettysburg is just what you need.

The classes are small and the professors will know your name and sometimes about your social life on campus. Some students study a lot and some a little but putting in effort usually results in an average grade. Not difficult to maintain a B average if students balance studying and social life. The difficult majors are the bio/chem health sciences area and the easier ones are management and political science. Most professors go to the sports events on campus and some even go to the fraternity events, not the fraternity parties. The school has a bunch of requirements to fill and if you have AP credit that takes care of them then you can either take meaningless classes or go for a double major. Students are not that competitive when it comes to classes and intellectual conversations outside of class are few and far between.

I absolutely love my major and minor. (soc and secondary ed) I worked my rear off in those classes but in the end I loved it! Profs challenged me, supported me, and enabled me to make the most of what I was learning. I was able to apply learning from one subject to another and further develop my understandings. I know that my positive experience was the product of my own committment and that of my professors toward academic success.

The professors at Gettysburg are absolutely wonderful. Each professor I've had seems to teach at a small school for a reason; even my larger lecture classes were open to participation and discussion. Professors are available whenever you need their assistance, and they really care that students take as much away from their classes as possible. Students are not as involved, unfortunately, as the faculty. There are a lot of kids who seem to be in college only because it's the next logical step before taking over daddy's business or backdooring their way into a graduate program. Not that most students aren't smart, there just isn't a lot of academic motivation.

All of your professors will know your name, and probably not forget it for all four years, if not longer. There is always an intimate setting for classes, since most classes do not stretch even close to over 20. My favorite class was Ancient Comedy (CLA 266). The reason this was my favorite class was because it was taught by my favorite teacher and adviser, Leslie Cahoon. Also, it was part of my major, meaning i was very interested to begin with. Lastly it was my favorite because as a culmination of the course we put on a performance of an Ancient Comedy called Truculentus, written by Plautus. Class participation is not really that common, especially in the 100 level classes. Although I am just a freshman, my experience has led me to believe that not many students are very interested in class participation. This may change though in the higher level classes as it gets more and more concentrated around people's majors. My major is in the Classics department, which is small enough that I will essentially have to take every class offered, and still probably have to take some extra classes that also count towards my major. I really the requirements that Gettysburg has, since it causes me to take at least an entire semester worth of classes that I have no interest at all in taking. This includes a math class, two sciences, an interdisciplinary class (definition), and some others. Since I have a primary interest in theater, as well as Classics and writing, I will not have time to have a Classical Studies major and a Writing minor while still having to take two science classes and a math class. These requirements are much easier to make when you are not simply a humanities person as I am. The education is definitely geared toward getting an education, as opposed to getting a job.

Not only do my professors know my name, they know about my latest performance at a recent track meet, my love for UConn basketball, and my favorite food. Classes are small and participation is expected. This semester I had a class in which 2 days a week were entirely dedicated to group discussion. Contribution was mandatory. For the most part students do a lot of work. You can choose not to, but your grades will suffer. I had semesters that were harder than others, but I did dedicate a lot of time to my studies. The Health Sciences department is wonderful!!!! The professors are warm, friendly, and some of the best people I know. The unique major allows students to look at the human body from a variety of viewpoints. Most graduates go on to become physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and exercise physiologists. There are academic requirements at Gettysburg, but they're pretty easy to fulfill. For example you need to take one "humanities" course while at Gettysburg. This can be any Engligh, History, or Religion course, just to name a few.