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Resources for Your Sophomore

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Resources for Your Sophomore

Sophomore Sojourn

Specifically designed for this juncture of your student's F&M experience, the Sophomore Sojourn offers sophomores a unique opportunity to retreat from campus to reflect on, ideate about and clarify their path through and beyond F&M. This one-night retreat occurs off-campus during the fall break and is an excellent way to develop greater self-awareness through interesting sessions and build deep connections with each other and a supportive community of F&M alumni, faculty and staff facilitators. 

The cost is FREE, but applications are required and the retreat will be limited to the first 100 sophomores who complete their application. The application will be released once the semester begins, so tell your student to stay tuned!

Living on Campus

Ware College House

Housing

Our four-year residency requirement means students are required to live in F&M-owned or -approved housing for all four years.

Housing applications for returning students are available in February each year. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors have an array of housing options, including suites, apartments, single and double rooms and more. They can also choose to apply for a House Adivser (HA) position.

Students who don't receive housing in one of these options participate in the annual room selection proccess, the Housing Lottery.  Housing Lottery information sessions are held in March and April. All students participating in the lottery are encouraged to attend a session in any College House.

Students who did not select housing through the Housing Lottery will receive a housing assignment from the Housing Office in the weeks prior to the start of the fall semester. 

Learn more about housing

Contact Housing

If you or your student have questions about F&M housing, you can explore our FAQ to learn more or reach out to our housing team at housing@fandm.edu or 717-358-4010 for additional help. 

Your student also has a consistent reference point through their House Director if they have a question or concern.

Contact housing


Meal Plans

Sophomores are required to purchase a meal plan unless they are commuting (though students commuting students can also purchase a meal plan). Meal plan pricing is automatically folded into your student’s tuition details.

Learn more

Dining at Diplomatic Cafe

 

Academics and More

Physics Summer Research

Academic Advising

Many second-year students focus on exploring several academic and life decisions. Your student’s faculty adviser will support them in making these long-term decisions about major(s)/minor(s) declarations, off-campus study and their desired levels of integration, leadership and involvement in the larger F&M community, and much more.

Here are some topics your sophomore should discuss with their adviser:

  • What subject they might want to major in and where they think studying it will lead
  • Whether they are considering more than one subject for a major and how those subjects might work together as a course of study
  • What courses they have liked the most and what skills they most enjoyed practicing
  • Whether they want to study abroad
  • Fields of study they might want to do research in
  • Programs, clubs, and leadership opportunities on campus
  • What they are looking forward to during the rest of their time as students

Learn more about academic advising

Academic Fair

Center for Career and Professional Development

A milestone in your student’s sophomore year is their major declaration. The Career Center will guide them through every step of this important decision. Our signature programs for your sophomore include: 

  • An academic fair where students can learn more about programs and meet faculty from academic departments on campus
  • “Not a Major Decision” individual and group sessions to support students in the period leading up to and following major declaration
  • “Living Beyond F&M Series” consisting of sessions on financial literacy, public speaking, the etiquette of the business meal, and more

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAREER CENTER

F&M Graduate Success Stories

July 16, 2026

Decoding the Genome: F&M Public Health Alum Investigates Hantavirus

Anna Catherine Grady ’19 arrived at F&M with veterinary school aspirations. A few public health courses later, she discovered a love of research and a holistic approach to the discipline that reoriented her career path.

Read More »

July 14, 2026

Pat Ryan ’25 Charts Meaningful Medical Career at CHOP

Pat Ryan ’25 chose F&M for research and mentorship opportunities. Now, he’s a research technician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) – one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals – and remains connected to Lancaster EMS as an advanced EMT.

Read More »

July 7, 2026

Diplomats in Print: Your Summer Reading List

Looking for your next great read? Dive into this summer reading list featuring current works of Franklin & Marshall College alumni and faculty.

Read More »

Have They Considered...

Campus Employment?

At F&M, student employment is more than a job–it’s a pathway to college and career success. Student employees play a vital part in our community as contributing members to nearly every F&M department and office. From being a House Adviser and First-Year Advising Mentor to precepting for a class, tutoring in the Hub, or guiding campus tours, there are many employment opportunities open to sophomores and beyond that would be great additions to their campus activities–and will bolster your student’s resume! All on-campus employment opportunities are posted on Handshake with application instructions for each position.

Internships?

Internships not only enrich your student's academic journey, but also allow them to immerse themselves in the day-to-day life of their field prior to entering the workforce. These short-term work experiences help them identify the careers and industries that best fit their distinctive talents and developing interests, while making them a more competitive applicant for the post-graduate job market. Your student can even submit an application to earn academic credit for their internship experience or get funding to conduct an unpaid internship. 

The Career Center will help your student discover and land these positions, guiding them through the internship search, application and interview processes, and facilitating connections with F&M alumni, parents and friends of the College for potential opportunities.
Learn more about internships »

Research?

Regardless of your student's class year, there are invaluable opportunities to convert theory into practice and enjoy hands-on experience in and out of the classroom. They may even see their name in print or get to present their findings at a conference! Many professors offer research opportunities outside of their regularly offered courses throughout the academic year or as part of our Summer Research Scholars program. How do they get involved? The simplest way is to talk to a professor whose work interests them and ask if they have any research positions available.
Learn More About Research at F&M »

Off-Campus Study?

Is your student planning on participating in off-campus study? Most who plan to participate will have this experience during their junior year; if they expect to do the same, we encourage them to reach out to our off-campus study staff this fall. The advising and application process begins one academic year prior to their experience. All programs approved are for transfer credit, and your financial aid packages for the semester can be used towards off-campus study programs.
Learn More About Off-Campus Study »

Get in Touch With F&M

Do you have any questions? We're happy to help. Feel free to reach out to us at families@fandm.edu or visit our contact page.

Contact F&M