Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

Frequently Asked Questions

In the Office of Admissions, we hear a lot of great questions from prospective students, parents, guardians and counselors about academics, student life, financial aid, and more. Below are the answers to some of those common questions. Don’t see yours? Reach out to us! We can chat via phone, email, or in person.

I’m a prospective student, and I’m wondering...

  • What is there to do in Williamsport?

    Whether you enjoy hiking or mountain biking, shopping at boutiques or the mall, relaxing at a coffee shop or dancing at a nightclub, you'll find your free time easily filled with new and exciting activities. Williamsport even has a symphony orchestra and its own professional baseball team, the Williamsport Crosscutters.

  • How much does Lycoming cost? Are scholarships available?

    We’ll do our best to help you finance your education, from merit-based scholarships to need-based financial aid and grants. View Lycoming’s recent cost of attendance for tuition information.

  • What is campus life like? Is the campus safe?

    Lycoming College offers more than 80 clubs and organizations, including Campus Activities Board, Student Senate, and Greek Life. Athletics are also very popular, as are musical organizations.

    The safety of our students is a top priority. The services provided by the Lycoming College Department of Public Safety are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services include transportation to and from medical visits and escorts for walking home at night.

    According to CQ Press, Williamsport ranks fourth in Pennsylvania and within the top 15% of cities in the United States with fewest major crimes committed.

  • What are the housing facilities like?

    As a residential college, we have space for over 1,300 students. Lycoming's campus has private, suite-style residence halls, community living residence halls, and a number of campus-owned apartments for upperclassmen.

    • Every residence hall building and the Douthat Commons is secured by a keyless card access system.
    • Each building has one or more card operated laundry facilities (campus apartment residents have access to a shared laundry facility).
    • Every residence has basic cable TV service (one location in each room or apartment, or the common area and each bedroom in the Douthat Commons).
  • What are the criteria for admission?

    A number of things are taken into consideration for admission to Lycoming, such as strength of courses, grades, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, teacher recommendations, and a personal essay.

  • When is the best time to apply?

    It’s best if you complete your application for admission in the fall of your senior year. We receive over half of our applications by December 1 (and provide those decisions by December 15!).

  • When will I receive an admission decision?

    From December until March, if your application is complete by the 1st of the month, you will have a decision by the 15th of that month. After March 1, we grant admission on a space-available basis.

  • Does Lycoming College have an academic honors program?

    Yes! In fact, we have three different academic honors programs including, the Scholars Program, the Management Scholars Program, and Departmental Honors Program. Read more about these programs of excellence.

I’m a parent/guardian, and I’m wondering...

  • Can we afford it?

    All Lycoming students receive some form of financial assistance, from low-interest loans and grants to academic and talent scholarships. Students also have the opportunity to work on campus to earn money for books, supplies, and other college expenses.

    As a parent, you have the option to participate in the College’s tuition payment plan, allowing you to spread college payments over a 10-month period. You may also consider the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Parents may borrow up to the total cost of education less any financial aid received. For more information, click here.

    To apply for financial aid, students must submit the Lycoming Financial Aid Application (LFAA) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

  • What if my student needs help in a course?

    With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, your student’s professors will always be within reach and willing to meet. Because 90% of Lycoming faculty members are full-time, they are accessible by appointment or by phone, and most have a generous open-door policy.

    The College also offers academic support services, including tutoring and helpful workshops, through the Academic Resource Center located on the third floor of the Snowden Library.

  • How do you help students who are undecided on a major?

    Nearly 20% of incoming first-year students are undecided about their future major. Even as first-year students, another 20% will change their mind and pursue newly found interests. In many ways, college is the best time for students to explore various course options and career paths. We're so certain of this advice that we do not require our students to declare a major until the second semester of their sophomore year.

    Students who enroll at Lycoming and are unsure about a major are assigned specially trained advisors who are familiar with our 38 majors and 700 courses, and are committed to helping students find their way.

  • How safe is the campus?

    The safety of our students is a top priority. The services provided by the Lycoming College Department of Public Safety are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services include transportation to and from medical visits and escorts for walking home at night.

  • How will my student maintain good health and well-being at Lycoming?

    Lycoming has enlisted a leading catering service to provide a variety of meals to our students, including hot dishes, assorted breads and cereals, and items from our deli, salad bar, and sweet shop.

    Students have full access to the Keiper Recreation Center, which houses an indoor track, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, a dance studio, weight stations, a swimming pool, and a Nautilus machine room. The recreation center hosts numerous programs throughout the year, such as total fitness, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, and more.

    The College dedicatedly supports its students’ emotional needs through counseling services and educational programming.

  • How does Lycoming prepare students for jobs or graduate school?

    First-year students and sophomores are strongly encouraged to participate in the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences, which are designed to individually enhance each students educational training with experiences outside the classroom.

    Nearly 80% of Lycoming students complete one or more internships locally, regionally and nationally. As a major retail, financial, health care, judicial, and transportation hub, Williamsport is an ideal city for students to combine their classroom knowledge with real-world experience from as early as their first year.

    Students are also encouraged to take advantage of various workshops, including résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques, LinkedIn, networking, dining etiquette, job search strategies, and grad school preparation. Students also can attend job fairs with recruiters from regional, national and international firms.

    Faculty members typically serve as the primary mentors in shaping and molding students for entry into graduate or professional school, while the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences staff helps with many of the details. Those preparing for professional school such as law, medicine, or seminary will receive special counseling from the appropriate pre-professional advising team. A large selection of books, practice tests and many other resources are available to help students prepare for the MCAT, LSAT, GRE, DAT, and the MAT.

I’m a counselor, and I’m wondering...