Hi guys, I am interested in Gettysburg College, but I've come across some comments stating it's one of the least diverse colleges. Can anyone elaborate on this? What does the lack of diversity look like in terms of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or international students?
Gettysburg College, as is the case with many smaller liberal arts institutions, indeed struggles somewhat with diversity. As of the most recent data available, the student body is broadly reported to be about 64.1% White, 11.3% Hispanic, 4.9% Black, 3% Two or More Races, 2.7% Asian, and 11.2% of students are nonresident aliens (a term used statistically to represent international students not permanently residing in the U.S.).
Socioeconomic diversity is also relatedly lower than some might ideally aim for with a substantially smaller percentage of students receiving Pell Grants when compared to some other institutions. Pell Grants are usually awarded to U.S. undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and provide an indirect measure of socioeconomic diversity in a school.
Lack of diversity doesn't necessarily mean a poor quality of education or a non-inclusive environment, and Gettysburg College has numerous programs focusing on increasing diversity and promoting inclusivity on campus. They've developed their Diversity & Inclusion Plan which outlines fundamental goals and strategies to address this issue in both the student body and faculty. However, continued dedication to these efforts will be key in attracting and retaining a more diverse student body moving forward.
Bottom line, while the college has a more homogeneous population in comparison to some other schools, it's important to note that the experience of diversity can vary significantly based on individual social circles and involvement in different organizations. For instance, if you actively engage with cultural clubs or specific initiatives, you might encounter a more diverse group of students than the overall student body percentages suggest.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.