Gettysburg College Top Questions

Classes are generally very small and the relationships with professors are much closer than say at a big state university. A lot of my professors know me by name, especially the ones in my major department. Class participation is common in classes, and even required in many. I think students have intellectual conversations outside of class. I do sometimes. I suppose there are some competitive students on class, but not everyone is nearly that hardcore. The most unique class I've taken was my First Year Seminar, which was The Mysterious World of Fungi. It counted as a lab science and we had a special fungi dinner at the end of the semester. It was awesome. I'm a Japanese Studies major, and the Asian Studies department is small, but surprisingly good. There are 3 main Japanese professors and 1 or 2 Chinese professors. Since the department is so small, you get to know everyone in your major VERY quickly. I've spent some time with professors outside of class. My freshman year we had a party at once of the professor's houses. It was a lot of fun. As for requirements, I think they're good for the most part. It helps you to broaden your knowledge outside of just your major. I don't really know about the education being geared toward getting a job or just learning for the sake of learning. I suppose that all depends on your major and your own future plans.

The academics are very challenging at Gettysburg. There are small learning environments where faculty do get to know the students personally. The more dedicated professors are the ones who get to know their students on a personal level. Students here are very competitive in their classwork but also many are helpful with eachother.

Most classes are quite small, so professors quickley learn names. There are some professors i like so much that I've taken over 4 courses with them. They always have office hours and give you their home number and email, just in case you have a question. People participate in most classes and many hours are spent together studying outside of class. The most interesting calss I've taken was a class on Buddhist spiritual biographies. We read a whole bunch of biographies of all different kinds of Buddhists. It was so interesting and we even got to meditate. I feel like a lot of people are uncomfortable with the requirements, especially if they come here with an interest in mind already. I think they are good requirements. This is a liberal arts education, so they make sense. I feel like Gettysburg realizeds that people learn the most outside of the classroom, but their ultimate goal is to get you into a job.

Because of the size of Gettysburg, I feel that it's easier to get closer with my professors. With larger schools, it's harder to get in touch with teachers because everyone else and their mother is trying to reach them. My teachers from last year's classes still know my name. I'm not a number at this school. I'm actually a human being with a name. I've even gone in to talk to my advisor about things not related to my classes. And once you form that foundation with your teachers and advisor, it's easier to approach them when you have problems in class. And if you won't, they definitely will. The teachers here want you to do well, and want to see you succeed. I doubt professors will be as forward with you at larger colleges and universities.

the liberal arts education here pushes students to far out of their comfort zone with some of the mandatory requirements.

-professors very close to you, all know you name, its like highschool in that regard -students sometimes talk outside of class -its very competitive -language requirement is bullshit

Academics are great, but could use a little more career focus.

Academics are very good, definitely the best part of my Gettysburg experience. I study a lot, but there are plenty of students who get by doing very minimal work. The Philosophy department is amazing and I have a great connection with several professors there and do spend time with them outside of class. The education is geared toward learning for its own sake, not for getting a job.

Because of our small size, your professors get to know you well which is great when it comes to letters of recommendation. Our bio department is awesome, a lot of work, but they are great professors. If you plan on coming in to do Bio, Chem, etc. be prepared. The first year is easy. The second year is hard as hell. A lot of people drop their major sophomore year. One of my favorite classes here was "Death and the Meaning of Life" as a freshman seminar. It was a different but very interesting class. I loved it. Overall, Gettysburg is a really really great school and I couldn't see myself anywhere else. It becomes a home not just a school.

because it is a small school, professors always know you name. they are great! i really haven't had a bad class here. the hardest classes are biology. my favorite class was abnormal psychology. i think by your second year you start to really have a lot of academic conversations, and you really start to appreciate your experiences. I am a philosophy major, and i think it is the greatest department. the professors are funny, great people that i have a very strong bond with. we meet outside of class, talk about our personal lives and i really think that my professors have become huge mentors for me.