Advanced Placement
Lafayette participates in the Advanced Placement examination program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Candidates interested in receiving course credit and placement in advanced classes should take the AP examinations given in May of each year. A score of either 4 or 5 on most examinations, and 3 or above on selected others, will earn course credit and advanced placement. The Lafayette faculty determine score assignments each spring. It is possible to receive sophomore standing with sufficient scores.
Lafayette cannot grant any AP credit without possession of the official AP score report from the CEEB before the end of the student's sophomore year at the College.
International Baccalaureate
The official results of the higher level examinations of the International Baccalaureate are considered for academic course credits at Lafayette. The acceptable score level is 5 or higher in all subjects. The amount of credit is determined by each department. No credit is given for subsidiary level examinations.
Students awarded the full IB diploma with results of 5 or above on all higher level and subsidiary level examinations, and results of C or above on both the Theory of Knowledge course and the Extended Essay, may apply for sophomore standing after arriving on campus. Students approved for sophomore standing receive between six to eight course credits, including up to two free elective credits (undesignated or INDS 098). Students who receive sophomore standing may not be awarded more than eight course credits and must complete the First-Year Seminar (FYS) as a graduation requirement. Free electives may not be used for major or distribution requirements.
A number of subjects in the IB program do not have a direct Lafayette course equivalent. Credit for higher level examination results in these areas is not guaranteed. If no departmental sponsor can be found for the subject, results of 5 or higher in these areas may be awarded as free elective course work (undesignated or INDS 098). Credits count toward the requirements for sophomore status as noted in the section above.
Academic Scholarships
Lafayette recognizes its most outstanding applicants with merit-based awards named for the Marquis de Lafayette. The Marquis Fellowship, valued at $40,000 per year, is offered to approximately 30 admitted students each year. The Marquis Scholarship, valued at $24,000 per year, is offered to approximately 10 percent of admitted students each year. Marquis Fellows and Marquis Scholars seeking financial aid award and whose demonstrated need exceeds the amount of their fellowship or scholarship award will receive a financial aid award, inclusive of the fellowship or scholarship, up to demonstrated need. Applicants seeking need-based aid must submit the required documents by the deadlines.
Other special benefits of the Marquis Fellowship and the Marquis Scholarship program include:
- a stipend of up to $4,000 for one faculty-led off-campus course during an interim session (Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges programs excluded), approved semester study abroad, poorly paid/unpaid internship, or poorly paid/unpaid research with a member of the Lafayette faculty, participation in special events and activities including cultural opportunities coordinated by the Marquis Fellows and Scholars
- participation in special events and activities, including cultural opportunities
- faculty mentors
Students admitted under both Early Decision and Regular Decision are considered for this scholarship. Early decision applicants designated as Scholars will be notified at the time of admission. All Fellowship recipients will be notified in mid-March as well as all regular decision candidates who are designated as Scholars.
Please note that only first year applicants to the College are considered for this scholarship at the time of their application for admission. Selection is based on the academic record prior to enrolling at Lafayette.