Long story short, I got into a nasty argument with my parents last night about college options when it comes to ED’ing. My parents said they’re not willing to foot the bill for an LAC if I ED unless it’s Williams or Amherst. They will be willing to pay the bill for these LACs if I don’t get into other “better” schools, whatever that means. We will be getting some need-based aid, but not a ton. They say that colleges like Hamilton, Haverford, and Bates (ones I am considering ED’ing) are no one’s first choice schools if they can get into better schools and that I’m being too selfish (which is essentially the point of college search isn’t it? they’re not the ones going to college, I am). I haven’t been able to visit the latter two, but tagged along with a friend on a select Saturday visit to Hamilton and really liked the school and the friendly vibe there. I also really like all that I’ve read about Bates and Haverford. Their prestige-obsessed mindset is IMO completely ridiculous unsubstantiated BS and so I’d like some anecdotal evidence to prove them wrong. Thanks in advance.
I would pick Hamilton too over Amherst or Williams.
It’s not much in reality, but this Forbes article, “10 Expensive Colleges Worth Every Penny,” includes schools such as Amherst, Williams and Hamilton, and therefore might be of some interest to your parents, at least with respect to the specific concern they’ve expressed: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nataliesportelli/2017/04/26/10-expensive-colleges-worth-every-penny-2017/. Hamilton, fwiw, registers the highest early career earnings among the ten NESCAC LACs (followed by Williams and Amherst), a figure that can be tracked through the U.S. News entries for these schools, e.g. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/hamilton-college-2728.
Hamilton would be my first choice!
I’ve been to all the schools you mentioned, except for Haverford. Among them Hamilton would definitely be my top choice. Though all could be great options, Hamilton’s history of having been two colleges creates an appeal that puts it at the top, imo.
Interesting scenario. Willing to pay (great) if you go to a school they like (not so great). I would suggest making a pro and con list of “Why” for each school and explain “Why” you choose Hamilton. They’re all great schools. It sounds like a fit thing and that is, be definition, quite personal. Explain that to them.
It also sounds like they have their sights on IVY or equivalent based on the “better schools” comment. Two things about that: 1. The LACs you mentioned are outstanding and highly selective colleges that provide a certain type of undergrad focused education. Really excellent! 2. The HYP types are incredibly hard in admissions. Hamilton and other LACs are also difficult but not to that level. Hamilton will become easier with ED than RD so that’s a real advantage vs. saving a restricted (REA) or ED elsewhere for a school that is more or less a lottery.
@apple23 I have seen that remark made over and over again on CC about Hamilton . That because it had once been 2 colleges it makes it particularly appealing. But how so or in what way? I have toured the school a couple times, and think it’s a great place, but don’t quite grasp how absorbing Kirkland 40 years ago, makes Hamilton more special now. Full disclosure though, while I really like the original Hamilton campus, I’m not a fan of the look of the Kirkland side.
@wisteria100 I’m sure you’ll agree that we all find some colleges stand out to us for particular, and personal, reasons.
What resonated for my daughter and me about Hamilton might not immediately register with you. After visiting lots of great schools and seeing reasons to like many of them, at Hamilton we noticed something unique. In part this related to what we already knew about the school. To us, there was something inviting about having two distinct architectural atmospheres, with their associated histories, together in one college. Perhaps it helped that we happened to really like the architecture of the Kirkland side, which you have admitted does not appeal to you.
^It also is a symbolic physical representation of the many different social/interest types represented at Hamilton. In combining the two schools once upon a time, Hamilton brought together two very different school cultures… and though there is one unified college now, the legacy remains in that a wide variety of students find their social homes/niches at Hamilton while meshing and working together in interesting ways with people different from themselves as well. This really resonates with some students when they tour Hamilton.
In my opinion, it wasn’t the absorption of Kirkland that was important, it was its creation as a progressive complement to the traditional Hamilton. To the extent that these complementary academic, cultural and spatial aspects endure, the current Hamilton benefits from this innovation. If you are focusing on the buildings without fuller context, then you really shouldn’t expect to see that much different about Hamilton. On this latter basis, the school simply would take its place in some conventional small college hierarchy.
The above noted, Brutalism is an honest architectural form that aligns perfectly with the times within which it was conceived. Even Hamilton students who generally prefer the venerable architecture of the older quads can refresh their perspective with a walk across campus.
As for the appeal of any of this, those interested in exploring Hamilton can regard their perceptions as a purely individual consideration.
The only ranking that really matters is the school you fit best in and which you see yourself succeeding at. Going to a school your parents selected instead of one of your choice will not set you up for success. Our family recently went through a similar scenario. My daughter was looking at all the NESCACs and was at a point of choosing between Hamilton and Amherst. They are both excellent schools. Amherst of course has the more well known, stronger reputation and I would have preferred it but my daughter fell in love with Hamilton and it more strongly aligned with her particular interests. The whole selection process included input from everyone but ultimately she is the one attending the school and needs to feel good about her choice.
And yes, Hamilton was her top choice over Amherst as well as others but she had well thought out and specific reasons.
Is there a particular program you are interested in that is stronger at Hamilton? What aspects of the school do you prefer? List them out and why they appeal to you over Amherst.
This is from a while ago, but just for reference I was recruited for my sport (and offered spots) at Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin, Hamilton and Bates. I visited them all and chose Hamilton even though I was told I could get into the others. I understand parents thinking like this but prestige should honestly not be a factor at all when deciding between schools like this which are already so similar. I loved the vibe I got from my visit at Hamilton (like you) much more than the other schools and am loving going here (I’m a freshman). Good luck!!!
I chose Hamilton over Swarthmore, Middlebury, BC, Notre Dame, and Northwestern. I know kids here who turned down Ivies, such as Dartmouth and Columbia, to come here. Granted, my choice was because of their insane banking connections (the CEO of Goldman Sachs is a Ham alum). At a certain point it doesn’t matter the school because they all have the same resources and alumni. I mean Hamilton just raised 204 million dollars with in the first two weeks of their Because Hamilton campaign. It definitely has the same opportunities as Williams and Amherst.
@mic347 OP, I’d be interested in hearing where you applied early and how it worked out for you.
I saw that @hibubbh! It’s crazy how much the Because Hamilton campaign has already raised in such a short span of time. Funny enough, on my visit, I did meet someone who turned down Yale, but that was because he forgot to retract his app when he had applied ED to Ham. Apparently the school got on his case about it too haha.
@4junior To make a long story short, I did not get my wish. 
I can update you on the specific school I will be attending through PM if you’d like though because I’m concerned about potential doxing 
@hibubbh Do you think one reason many of the kids who also had admits to Ivies choose Hamilton because the Aid was a better package? Or they just liked the vibe better? I understand your reasoning but am interested to know about the larger group.
Ahhh, Kirkland was a special place! My twin sister went there '71-75, before it was even accredited. I believe the president painted himself Kirkland green to lead graduation in '75. On a horse, I think. Hamilton was so preppy and Kirkland was so crunchy granola, no course requirements, no grades, just long personal evaluations. Classes freely exchanged on both campuses, with benefits to Kirkies and Hamiltonians alike. Think Kirkland loosened them up a bit in the long run. All I know is that she got a hell of a better education there than I did at Northwestern, and I’m not complaining about Northwestern.
I’'d send my daughter to Hamilton in a flash–if she had the stats to get in these days. Wonderful school. Sorry your parents are not onboard.
My understanding is that they liked the vibe better. I mean you get pretty much the same financial add package for top 20 LACs and universities because they all have the same massive endowments (if anything Ivies should have better packages). Once you attend a top tier school you realize how ludicrous all the college rankings really are. Is there really any difference in education between Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, or Hamilton? Not really. It is more just where you would enjoy the most at a certain point. If all the colleges will get you to the same job in the end, why go to a school that will make you miserable? If you doubt the fact that ranking doesn’t matter in getting a job or going to grad school just take a look at all the college “after (enter school’s name)” page. I know Hamilton does not hide their stats, and I doubt the other top schools do either because they all get kids into top firms. The process really just comes down to going to where you can see yourself having a blast at for the next four years.