New Students

• Friday, April 12, and/or Saturday, April 13: Attend Admitted Student Weekend

• Complete the incoming student questionnaire
  
  
• Complete the academic advising questionnaire
  
  
• Complete the health information form
  
  
• Incoming students able to log into their financial aid account via MyAid
  
  
• Self-Identification & Accommodation information made available
  
  
• Information for international students made available

• June 15th all academic questionnaires due

• Families receive health insurance information and details on the waiver process
  
  
• Language placement exams emailed to students
  
  
• Student employment information available
  
  
• Instructions regarding the housing application come via F&M email

• Fall bills made available
  
  
• Student employment virtual job fair 
  
  
• Pre-orientation trip details made available
  
  
• Move-in day information made available

• August 9, 2024: Fall payment due

• Student employment assignments emailed to students
  
  
• Registrar’s office notifies students about AP/IB credits that have been processed
  
  
• Fall course schedules made available to students
  
  
• The fun stuff: Room assignment, roommate name and contact information, College House affiliation,
  and House Dean information emailed to students
  
  
• Mid-August: If you need to ship any items to F&M ahead of your arrival, please sign up with Storage Scholars and ship your belongings to them by mid-August. Learn more about Storage Scholars at F&M.
  
  
• August 20: International student arrival
  
  
• August 20: Pre-arrival programs arrival
  
  
• August 23: New student move-in and Convocation
  
  
• August 23-27: New student orientation

Course Registration

The Registrar's Office will create your fall course schedule from the courses you select on the academic survey and from the answers you provide on the language, math and science surveys. These surveys will be accessible through the Class of 2028 Canvas course. Note that some forms become available at different points during the summer. You can expect to receive your class schedule in early August. Explore our course catalog to see what sort of courses you may be registered for. 

Placement Exams

Information regarding academic placement exams will be available in your Class of 2028 Canvas Course and will be emailed to your F&M Gmail account. 

Credit Transfers

• Transfer of Credit Policy

• Advanced Placement (AP) & International Baccalaureate (IB)
  Make sure you have your AP/IB scores and any college transcripts sent directly to the Registrar's Office at F&M by the end of July. As we create your fall schedule, we will adjust it to make sure you are not enrolled in any course for which you will receive AP credit or transfer credit. If we receive score reports or transcripts after the end of July, we may not be able to adjust your final schedule.

• Earning Credit During Deferral
  For first-year and transfer students with approval to defer their admission, F&M will allow the study of up to two courses per semester at another institution. Should a first-year or transfer student deferring their admission pursue more than two courses, the student would be required to reapply through the transfer admission process. 

Academic Support Resources

• Tutoring & Academic Support
  A constellation of tutoring and academic support services are available to you at F&M, many of which are located in one central location on campus. We offer academic coaching, writing support, peer advising, subject-specific tutoring, and much more. You can partner with professionals and student peers to develop skills as a purpose-driven learner, build habits for success, and reflect on how your knowledge provides momentum to achieve your goals.

• Academic Advising
  Students at F&M are paired with a faculty member who acts as an academic adviser, offering support and encouragement as they journey through their academic pursuits at F&M. Faculty advisers are given extensive support and training resources to learn how to provide students with access to the tools they need to thrive. 
  
  
• First-Year Advising Mentors
  As a new student, you will be connected with a first-year advising mentor (FAM) to help you successfully launch your journey at F&M. Your FAM will assist you with onboarding and learning F&M’s academic culture, help you add or drop a class to choose that perfect schedule, introduce you to many resources available at F&M, talk about the deep questions of life, and provide tips on where to shop for your new College House room. Most importantly, FAMs will be an important resource throughout your entire F&M experience, listening to your story and helping you craft a distinctive academic path that suits your interests.

The Office of Student and Post-Graduate Development (OSPGD)

Pre-Professional Advising

Several pre-professional advising programs are offered through OSPGD. These programs are offered as a supplement to your chosen major.

• STEM & Engineering
• Pre-Dental
• Pre-Health
• Pre-Law
• Pre-Med
• Pre-Vet

Diplomat Athletic Sports Teams

Your coaches will be in touch with steps throughout the summer with specific instructions about move-in.

Tuition, Fees, and Billing

Each student is charged fees that cover tuition, housing, food, and some charges for activities and labs. All charges and fees for each semester are billed in advance and must be paid in full by the specified term due date. Learn more about tuition, fees, and billing at F&M, including payment options and due dates. 

LEARN MORE

Financial Aid

We’re dedicated to making an F&M education affordable for all. By offering need-based and merit-based financial aid, we’re able to welcome talented students from all backgrounds. Need-based and merit-based financial aid is not mutually exclusive; you can qualify and receive both. If you’re admitted to F&M, we will meet 100% of your institutionally determined financial need for all four years on campus. 

If you have any questions about financial aid at F&M or your specific package, please feel free to reach out to your financial aid contact. Your contact is based on the first letter of your last name: 

• A-G: Mr. Eric E Kopp, Associate Director of Financial Aid
• H-O: Mr. Jasper Choi, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
• P-Z:  Mr. M. Clarke Paine, Director of Financial Aid

LEARN MORE ABOUT FINANCIAL AID

Student Employment

If you’re enrolled in at least three credits per semester (a full-time course load), you are eligible for on-campus employment. If you are awarded Federal Work Study or College Work Option in your financial aid package, you are given priority status as an aided student and are eligible to apply for any position on campus. If you’re not work-aided, you are still eligible to work on campus, but will have a limited number of positions available to you.

F&M’s Student Employment Office (SEO) will guide you through the position search and hiring process, and match you with positions where you will learn valuable, transferable skills that will benefit you both at F&M and beyond. If you are work-aided, SEO will send you an invitation to a virtual job fair via your F&M Gmail account.

If you are seeking campus employment, you must bring original, unexpired identification documents with you to campus during move-in. Copies, scans and faxes are not accepted (per federal government requirements). These identification documents are required before you can start any position on campus.

First-Year Meal Plans

As a first-year, you’re required to purchase a meal plan unless you are commuting (though you can of course purchase a meal plan if you are!). If you’re a commuter and want to purchase a meal plan, please contact housing@fandm.edu. Otherwise, your meal plan pricing is automatically enrolled into your tuition details.

How to Access Your Meal Plan

Your meal plan is conveniently attached directly to your F&M student ID card. All you have to do is swipe your card in the dining hall and our retail locations to use a meal or your flex dollars. 

Learn more about your meal plan

Coming Early for a Sport?

If you’re an athlete coming early to campus for pre-season training, you won’t be able to use your meal plan quite yet. Instead, you’ll be fed in the dining hall. Please talk to your athletic advisors if you have any questions.

Dietary Restrictions

The chefs on campus work closely with those who have specific dietary needs due to allergen restrictions, religious affiliation, lifestyle choices or other dietary restrictions.

Dietary Need Due to Allergies

If you require a specific dietary need due to allergies, Simple Servings is a gluten-free station on campus that serves a variety of delicious meals that don’t include any of the top allergens, with the exclusion of fin-fish. This station is also gluten-free. The entire dining hall is a nut-free facility, and gluten-free options are available in our retail locations.

If you have other dietary restrictions, our chefs and our dietitian, Sue Hurd, work closely with the Office of Student Accessibility Services to assist you with those restrictions to ensure you have nutritious and delicious meals while at F&M.

KIVO: Kosher, International, Vegan, and Organic

If you keep Kosher or Halal, we have an area in the dining hall called KIVO, which stands for Kosher, International, Vegan, and Organic. This space is a Star K certified kosher dining facility, and also houses Trellis, our entirely plant-based dining option.

Health Forms

New students need to fill out a health history form indicating personal and family health history, demographic information, tuberculosis assessment, and immunization records, including meningitis vaccine requirements. Completion of this form is mandatory for all new and all transfer students. When available, please go to your Class of 2028 Canvas course follow the instructions on completion and submission of the required forms. You can direct all questions related to health form requirements to studentwellness@fandm.edu.

Please note: Pennsylvania State Law requires that all college students residing in a dormitory must either receive the meningitis vaccine (quadrivalent vaccine is the CDC and F&M recommended vaccine), or sign a waiver declining the vaccine for “religious or other reasons.” You will not be able to receive your room key on move-in day without submitting proof of the vaccine or the signed waiver.

 

Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage is required for all full-time students. You must enroll in F&M’s student health insurance program if you don’t have insurance or if your insurance does not provide comparable coverage — including mental health — to the school sponsored plan. 

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Health, Wellness & Safety at F&M

We offer a comprehensive array of health and wellness resources that not only care for you when you’re feeling unwell, but teach you how to be proactive in your self-care and learn lifelong skills related to healthy living, stress management and more. 

There are also trained, licensed professionals available and ready to support you when needed. Our Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an accredited law-enforcement agency on campus. Our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a Basic Life Support (BLS) unit licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

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Student Accessibility Services

The Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) works with students who have disabilities to determine reasonable accommodations and ensure that they have equal access to all aspects of their education. Accommodations may include academic, dining, and housing needs.

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Housing Application & Room Assignment

You will receive an email to your F&M Gmail in June with instructions on how to complete your housing application online. We will match you with roommates based upon your answers to those questions. Our College House Deans then review assignments and make adjustments to components that our automated process might have overlooked. Your room assignment (including your roommate’s name and contact information) will be announced in August. 

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College Houses

These are not your average dorm! F&M’s College Houses are lively hubs of intellectual, extracurricular, and social engagement that not only give you a place to hang out, sleep, and study, but also your own special place to belong.

LEARN MORE

Room Details

When you receive your room assignment in August, feel free to explore the specs of our residential facilities so you can get a better idea of what your room will be like.

Explore room details

What to Bring to Campus

One of the most exciting parts of the summer before college is getting everything you’ll want and need for your room. We know you can’t wait to get started, so check out this list of what we think new students might need. Be sure to also review what items you should not bring to campus!

View what to bring

Renter’s Insurance

Franklin & Marshall College does not cover the cost of your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged. Students are expected — and in some cases required — to obtain renters insurance before moving in to protect their personal items.

Learn more about renter's insurance

Shipping & Storing Your Items

F&M has a partnership with Storage Scholars, a service that lightens the burden of moving and storage. Storage Scholars will ship boxes to your house for packing. Once the team receives your belongings, Storage Scholars will store them and later deliver them to campus so they’re ready and waiting in your room.

LEARN MORE

We are eager to welcome you to campus! As an international student, there are some additional steps you will need to take as you prepare for your arrival on campus. You can get started with these materials: 

International Handbook

Explore our International Handbook for an overview of everything you need to know before you arrive at F&M.

Learn more

Logging Into Your International Student Services (ISS) Portal

International Student Services (ISS) at F&M offers professional immigration support, advocating for your academic success at F&M by ensuring you are compliant with U.S. immigration laws and processes. Learn how to log into the ISS Portal, a tool you will use during your time at F&M.

Learn more

Learn How to Prepare to Apply for Your I-20

Your first step as an F-1 student will be to apply for your Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Learn more about how to prepare for your I-20.

Please note this link is only accessible if you're logged into your F&M Gmail account. 

Learn more

Apply for Your F-1 Visa and Prepare for Your Interview

After you have applied for and received your Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Student Status), the next step is to apply for your F-1 Student visa. Learn more about how to apply for your F-1 visa and prepare for your interview. 

Please note this link is only accessible if you're logged into your F&M Gmail account. 

Learn more

Getting to Lancaster From Various Airports

F&M's location in Lancaster offers easy access to several major airports. There is also an Amtrak train station just two miles from campus. Learn more about how you can get to campus after your flight lands.

Learn more

Travel Checklist

Coming soon!

Computers

We often get questions about what type of computer new students should bring to campus. The answer is: it’s up to you! We recommend bringing a laptop computer that you are comfortable using. If you want to use Windows or Mac, it’s your choice; we are not an exclusively Apple or PC campus. 

Keep an Eye Out for Savings

Some vendors, such as Microsoft, Apple, Lenovo, and Dell offer students a discount on their products. We include links directly to these discounts on our website. You may also want to consider purchasing an extended warranty or an accidental damage warranty if it is offered to you.

Always Use Your F&M Gmail Account

Many of the documents shared on campus are Google Docs, and some will require you to be signed in with your F&M Google account to view them. That’s why we recommend you use your F&M Gmail to read your email and not have messages forwarded to another email account. If you have been forwarding your F&M emails to a personal email account, or possibly to your old high school student account, please discontinue that practice.

Install the Gmail App on Your Phone

If you haven’t installed the Gmail app on your phone yet, please do so! Our Setting Up Email on a Smart Phone or Other Mobile Device TechDoc provides the instructions on how to get that done, whether you have an Apple or Android phone.  

Software & Applications

• We recommend using Chrome as your web browser.
• F&M uses Google Workspace including apps such as Gmail, Google Meet, Google Docs, Google Slides, and more. Google Workspace also offers unlimited storage space for any type of file you may wish to store in the cloud, including Microsoft files that you can edit without moving them to your hard drive. 
• In addition to Google Workspace, F&M provides you with access to Microsoft Office 365 products, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you want to use any of these Microsoft products, you will need to create a Microsoft account with your F&M email address. To learn how to create a Microsoft account (sometimes referred to as a Microsoft ID), check out our Technology Guideline for Microsoft 365 Apps for Personally-Owned Computers. Be sure to make a note of your login credentials and password, since that account doesn’t sync directly to your F&M account. Once you have a Microsoft account, you can access all of the applications and your data in the cloud through a web browser on any computer or through one of their mobile apps.

Cars on Campus

F&M does not allow first-year students to bring vehicles to campus unless a first-year parking waiver is approved.

Shuttles & Buses

We offer free on-campus shuttle services to both libraries, several of the residence halls, and various off-campus housing locations. Our shuttles also provide a link to Lancaster, offering free transportation to nearby grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as downtown Lancaster, Target, Walmart, and the mall. We also offer transportation to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport at the end of each semester for a fee. Local buses of the Red Rose Transit Authority also serve the F&M campus, and OurBus runs buses from Lancaster to New York City on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

A Bicycle Friendly Campus

F&M was designated ‘Bicycle Friendly’ by the National Bicyclist Group. Our bike loan program provides free bicycles for students to use during the semester. Students are also more than welcome to bring their own bikes to campus. There are plenty of outdoor bike racks to store and lock bikes, two bike repair stations on campus with pumps, and two bike shops within a mile of campus, including Common Wheel, a nonprofit bike center led by an F&M alumna.