How to strengthen your Franklin and Marshall College application

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What Franklin and Marshall College weights most

F&M prioritizes demonstrated interest and fit within its strengths (government, business, sciences particularly). They favor applicants with clear intellectual engagement in their intended major—not just high stats—and reward those who show understanding of Lancaster's location as an asset (proximity to state capital for government students, regional business networks). They're notably less test-focused than peer LACs at this tier; a 1330-1380 with strong essays/ECs in their wheelhouse will outperform a 1450 with generic achievements.

Supplemental essay strategy

Use their "why F&M" prompt to demonstrate specific knowledge of departmental resources, professors, or programs (name them if possible—government's legislative internship pipeline, business school partnerships, or science facilities). Avoid generic LAC language; instead, show how F&M's particular location and alumni networks in your intended field create an advantage you've researched. If applying ED, this is where you prove you're choosing them for reasons beyond prestige, which F&M's admissions team explicitly values.

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Where to focus next

If you only have time for one thing this month, do this:

1. Read 2 admitted-student essays from Franklin and Marshall College (search official admissions site or Reddit r/fandm). Notice the level of specificity — that's the bar.
2. Write the ‘why this school’ supplement first, before anything else. If you can't fill 250 words with school-specific reasons, pick a different school.
3. Find one current student to ask about their experience — admissions offices often connect prospective applicants with current students. The follow-up email becomes specific essay material.