FAQs

First Year Course Registration: Your courses are chosen based on the academic surveys you fill out in your orientation Canvas course.  

Subsequent Year Course Registration: The Registrar's Office handles course registration - you can find their "registration hub" on the intranet (inside.fandm.edu) - note, this will require logging in to the intranet with your F&M NetID and password. 

Some tips for registration:

1. Register for at least 3 courses, even if they're not the courses you want. To keep your F-1 status, you need to be enrolled in at least 3 credits at all times (4 credits to stay on track for graduation). Work with your academic advisor to make sure your schedule is set for the spring. (just a reminder, not being fully enrolled = closing your SEVIS immigration record)

2. Reach out to the professors whose classes you want to join - sometimes they can add you to a wait list, and then if a spot opens up, you can join the class during the drop/add period at the start of the spring semester (you'll have a full week to drop/add). Only AFTER you have new classes can you drop the classes you're not excited about. 

   • If you aren't able to join a class during the drop/add period, just know that every class you take counts towards the graduation requirement of 32 credits - those classes won't be wasted. 

3. Declaring a major won't change the limits to the classes you want to join - if they're full, they're full. That said, if you want to work on declaring your major before the next class registration period, you'll need to reach out to your department and see what their process is. 

   • Generally, students declare their majors during the spring semester of their sophomore (second) year, but sometimes a major will allow you to declare early. It really depends on the department, so having a conversation is key.

4. Finally, reach out to your academic advisor if you haven't already (they're your main contact for any adjustments to your schedule, and will have to sign off on any changes), as well as upperclassmen mentors (the international peer mentors' contact info is here, and you can always reach out to your FAM too). Your advisor can walk you through your practical options and adjust your schedule, whereas student leaders can share their experiences (as well as their tips) on getting the classes you want. 

1. Can freshmen apply for a single room?

•  Most freshmen will have a roommate.  

2. What are the breaks and holidays in F&M?

• F&M has a winter vacation and a summer vacation, along with a fall break, Thanksgiving break, and a spring break during the semesters. The full academic calendar can be found here. 

3. What are the activities we have on campus?

• There are a large variety of activities on campus that are organized by students, faculty, and staff. Students are encouraged to get involved on campus to feel connected to the campus community, meet new people, gain transferrable skills, and explore interests. To learn more about the vast opportunities, please visit the Ampersand.

4. What is Greek life like there?

• Dating back to 1854, Franklin & Marshall College's (F&M's) fraternity and sorority communities have a long-standing legacy of developing students holistically across their founding principles that foster leadership, service, scholarship, integrity, and friendship, and fostering lifelong friendships and generational affinities. For more info, please visit the Fraternity and Sorority Life webpage.

5. What we can do in Lancaster?

• Lancaster is a small, vibrant, thriving city with much to offer including food, culture, history, and arts. Learn more about the city here.

6. How should I prepare for living in the dorm?

• Please click here to see what you need to pack for your dorm. 

7. Are there any spots where I can spend time alone?

• You can book individual library rooms to study alone. And most of the time, the house great rooms are open.

8. Are meals allowed to be brought anywhere outside the restaurants?

• It depends. The food in Dhall is more like a buffet, so it is not allowed to take out. However, food and drink in other restaurants and cafes are all allowed to be brought anywhere. 

9. Where can I find campus jobs?

• You can find campus jobs via Handshake, the College's tool for posting all on-campus jobs (incoming first-year students receive log-in information via email in July or August before classes begin). There is also a job fair at the beginning of the fall semester. 

1. When should I buy plane tickets and schedule my visa appointment?

• We recommend you book a flight after you have received your visa.  Visa appointments can be scheduled once you have received your I-20. Be aware, you cannot come to US until 30 until days before the Program Start Date printed on your I-20. 

2. When will I receive my I-20?

• I-20 applications are processed in the order they are received. Each application is reviewed and either approved or a request for further information will be issued. After submitting your I-20 application please check your F&M email regularly and complete any action items that may be required for your application to be processed. Once your application is approved, you can expect to receive your electronic document within 7-10 days. Please have patience as the I-20 creation process is a manual process which requires time and precision from the F&M ISS staff. If you have questions about the status of your I-20 please contact iss@fandm.edu.

3. How do I travel to F&M from airports in New York City?

• If you are able to drive, it is convenient to rent a car at the airports and drive to F&M (about a 4 hour drive). If you are traveling with someone else, you can also Uber/Lyft to Lancaster and share the cost. The Amtrak train is also a good option.  Lancaster’s Amtrak train station is approximately 3 minutes via car from F&M’s campus. Review the admissions website for more information on Getting to F&M. 

4. How do I buy Amtrak (train) tickets?

• Click here to buy tickets on the Amtrak website.  

5. Which airports are closest to F&M?

• F&M’s campus is easily accessible from three New York airports (LaGuardia, JFK, Newark), Philadelphia airport, or Harrisburg International airport.

6. What if I couldn't connect OR log in to my Google email?

• Please submit a ticket at request.fandm.edu. 

7. What's the vaccination policy in F&M?

• Most of this can be found in your student health forms, which can be downloaded from your orientation Canvas page. If you have questions, please contact the wellness center via email: studentwellness@fandm.edu.