<p>Can I help anyone who is still undecided?</p>
<p>CarolynB, my D is deciding between HWS and a school that is located in a major city. She seems to be really worried about being “stuck” on campus. I’ve told her I don’t think that’s going to be an issue, but wonder if you had any info on how often your S leaves campus, or whether he feels he never needs to.</p>
<p>Her other sticking point is the art department. Do you know anything about it? It isn’t as extensive as some of the others we saw in her search, but I think a lot depends on the faculty.</p>
<p>As always, any insight would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I think my son would say Geneva gets the job done as a town with basic stores. He occasionally goes to Wegman’s to pick up some food or to Walmart’s. He doesn’t “leave” campus to go anywhere and I don’t know that he really feels a need to. </p>
<p>I know a little about the art department as a friend of my son’s was taking an art class or two last year. I think she liked the classes; I know that, understandably, the assignments took a lot of time. Has your daughter visited during the semester and sat in on any art classes? If not, and you can, go for it. If it’s not possible to visit before you have to decide, perhaps you could call and ask some specific questions of a couple of the art professors. I just looked at the Art Department on the HWS website to see if there was anything that might jog my memory about what I know about the department; the information about what art students beyond HWS do looked promising. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. Good luck! Let me know how it goes.</p>
<p>HMSmom, I was just able to contact my son’s friend. She’s enjoyed taking two studio classes and says it’s a very popular major. She’s happy to write up something, send it to me and I will post it for you.</p>
<p>CarolynB, that would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>HMSmom, here is what my son’s friend says about the studio art program. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need any more information and I can try to get your questions answered.</p>
<p>Studio Art is a major and minor program, with most classes taking place in the Elliot or Carriage House buildings, both located in the art center (an area of campus).
As a major, it’s a 12 course, disciplinary program. Most studio classes, as a studio, are around 3 hours long, and twice a week (although not every studio class fits this example, it’s been my experience in the studio art department).</p>
<p>Both of my classes have been aimed towards architecture students - that is, both of the classes I have taken are required for my major. I’ve taken 3D Design and Intro to Drawing, both very intensive - studio classes are a lot of work! They’re definitely enjoyable though and both have given me a lot of experience in working with different materials (namely charcoal for Drawing and materials such as plastic, wire, metal, and paint for 3D).</p>
<p>The professors are encouraging and instruct you on how to use materials you are unfamiliar with and safety instructions (especially for working in the woodshop!)
There’s a set of 100 level classes designed as a “foundation” for the major and then more focusing classes so the student can pick their interests. </p>
<p>I hope this helps, I’ve had a lot of fun taking studio classes and if I didn’t have so many architecture studios, I would definitely go back to studio art and take more!</p>
<p>CarolynB, thanks so much for getting this information and going out of your way for me, I really appreciate it! I’ll pass her comments on to my daughter. She’s going to have to make a decision soon…</p>
<p>are the parties fun and frequent? are the females attractive?</p>
<p>CarolynB,
What meal plan do you recommend for freshman? Do they need the “gold” plan?
Thanks so much,
Boomer</p>
<p>Can you please tell the pros and cons of going to HWS?</p>
<p>Are fraternities/sororities a big presence?</p>
<p>FatChicks and 1bie792, while the percentage of Hobart students in frats is fairly small, there are reasonably frequent parties that the frats put on. There are no sororities as the William Smith students recently voted (again) to not have them; they felt no need for them as a source of identity as they have their own college, after all. My son is not in a frat, has never been interested in joining one, and has found a circle of friends that don’t bother with parties. There have been some college-wide dances that he’s attended with his girlfriend, but I don’t think those are sponsored by the frats. It is possible to have a social life with or without the frats. </p>
<p>Boomer, for first-year, I think I would recommend the gold meal plan and after that, you can gauge what to do for subsequent years. You could try the silver plan and see how it goes, but if you find it’s too restrictive, I don’t know if you can change it mid-year. Besides, you get a cake on your birthday! :)</p>
<p>My D is on the waitlist, any info on how large the list is this year?</p>
<p>Summit10, I’m sorry I do not know that. I suppose you could call the admissions office. Has your daughter sent in a letter saying how much she loves HWS and wants to go there, and supplied some new information of some kind for the admissions office to consider, such as additional recommendations, additional honors or interesting events, projects, etc.</p>
<p>Fireworks, if you want to know the pros and cons of HWS, take a look at the HWS thread page. At the bottom on the left, there is a box with drop down menus that gives you options of looking at older threads. I’d go back a year or two and read the old threads. That will give you some idea of the pros and cons. Right now I can’t respond to your question as it’s too broad.</p>
<p>thanks.</p>
<p>does anyone know anything about the club soccer team? how competitive is it/how much time does it take up?</p>
<p>FatChicks, I’m sorry I can’t give you any information about the club soccer team. I only know a little about the varsity team as my son’s roommate was on varsity during first-year (and he took his playing very seriously).</p>
<p>HWS will be building a brand new performing arts center in the next couple of years. The art programs are very strong. I had a good friend get into an ivy league architecture program after studying at Hobart.</p>
<p>Hello… I’m strongly considering HWS, but I became a bit concerned about the presence of drugs. Is there a significant drug problem at HWS? Thanks!</p>
<p>Ineedausername, I don’t think there’s any more of a drug problem at HWS than at many schools. From what my son says, I’d say drinking is more prevalent than drugs. All schools are going to have drinking and drugs; that’s a fact. It’s really more a matter of how you are going to handle those activities at any college.</p>