I'll start by saying that I think F&M is absurdly, overwhelmingly underrated, and should beat quite a few of the top 40 liberal arts schools, at least in terms of academics.

I'm going into my sophomore year, and I cannot do anything but praise F&M.  It was not my first choice, and maybe not even my second, but I am so grateful that I ended up here. 

The problem with F&M is not the school itself.  We have incredible staff who virtually beg students to come in for office hours.  We do not have TAs.  The academics at F&M are extremely challenging whether you are an English major or a Neuroscience major.  Although, I've found that my classes share many parellels despite their seemingly glaring differences.

F&M also has ample opportunity for students to join clubs, gain leadership experience, and seriously make a difference.

The “problem” is not F&M.  Alas, the problem is that students like to complain about what F&M “lacks.” These gaps include things like parts of dining hall not being open on weekends (that would be KIVO [kosher international vegan organic], which needs to be closed on weekends in order to be considered kosher certified), and other petty concerns.

Many students at F&M, and I suppose this could be considered the “problem” with the school, are very privileged and think good fortune and success should be handed to them on a silver platter.

If you think you fall into that category, then don't waste your money on college at all.  College is supposed to be challenging, and it's supposed to push you to try things you never thought you would try, and meet people you never thought you would meet.

College is different than high school.  High school is all about going through the motions, beating the system, playing the game.  Everyone says that the 'real world' starts after college.  I think that is a ridiculous notion.  You have to look at college as the real world and take it seriously, or else you are wasting the 4 best years of your life.

Anyway, now that I've rambled a ton, I'll give a bit of random advice that may or may not be useful to you.

Party scene: We are the epitome of work hard play hard.  And we party a lot.  Sororities can't hold parties, but frats can, so the 7 frats host parties that are all completely different scenes.  Give frats a chance, but also go with friends.  They aren't fun if you don't know people there already.

Also, sports teams often have lofts, which are sorta like apartments off campus, and those are fun, but they don't pass out fliers like frats do.

If you make friends with juniors and seniors (you should), they usually have apartments in college row across campus, or in the lofts.  They're usually a little more low key, but that is relative.

I usually go out Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but I try not to go out thursday if I have too much work (it's about working your ass off all day so you can go out at night).

F&M parties are fun, sometimes they get old— it's a lot more fun if you are outgoing and aren't afraid to talk to people.

Oh, and it's a lot easier to meet people if you're a girl.  Just a fact.

Greek Life: Not for everyone.  I'm a member of Greek life, and I really love it (to my complete surprise...I had no intentions of joining a sorority when I came to f&m), but it definitely isn't for anyone.  It's a great way to meet a TON of people.  I think my favorite aspect of it is that greek life (more so sororities than fraternities, to be honest) gives you ample opportunity to gain leadership roles and experience.  A lot of it is tangible, and applicable to any job after college.

Students: Most students are from PA, NJ, and Fairfield County (CT), but there are also a good amount of international students.  Most students are really wealthy—some make this known, others don't.  Some people complain that students aren't engaged or interested in the world, and this is somewhat true.  It's sort of surprising that there are students who have never heard of really important news events, but I guess that's the nature of college.

It's totally possible to find friends who don't buy into superficiality, who are really smart, and who also have fun...it's just a matter of finding them.  That's why it's so important to get involved in as much as you can or feel comfortable with, becuase that's how you meet tons of interesting people.

The only other thing I want to add, is that Lancaster is NOT safe at night.  Sorry to say this but there have been more mugging cases than there should be.  With that said, F&M public safety (psafe) is AMAZINGamazingamazing.  If you are on college property, they have your back.  They also are really lenient with drinking rules and such.  Lancaster police are much more strict, and aren't always around— moral of the story, don't walk around off campus alone.