<p>Robbia613 (to whom I sent a longer version as a PM) and northeastmom, as for layoffs, every college that I'm familiar with seems to be dealing with pretty much the same situation due to the economy. What a difference from last year, when my D was applying to schools! Hartwick doesn't seem to be any better or worse from what I can tell. Layoffs were support staff, not faculty.</p>
<p>As for why my S chose Hartwick and my D didn't, my D had several scholarship/aid offers from different schools and ended up choosing a women's college because of that elusive but instantly recognizable "fit" - it just felt right to her.</p>
<p>My S loves the sense of community at Hartwick and the opportunities to work directly with faculty that he might not find at a larger school. He finds the campus a comfortable size (he would never have been happy on a large university campus). </p>
<p>Hartwick's travel opportunities are truly amazing, both for January Term and semesters. They seem to know how to do those kind of programs well. When I've looked there have been plenty of science-oriented January Term trips as well as trips that make me more than a little envious like theater in England, language and history in France, and the always-popular Prague trips led by the choral director who is a Prague native. They also offer a bunch of urban internships and seem well connected, especially in NYC, Boston and Washington.</p>
<p>If your daughter is headed for grad school, the opportunity to work with faculty on original research is a huge plus. I've read about several faculty who take their students to professional conferences to present research.</p>
<p>As for retention, I'm guessing that the folks who don't come back are the ones who don't like the location (it's not in a big city, which is an advantage in my book but is not to everyone's taste), or don't like northeast winters (apparently that's true at my D's school too).</p>
<p>Things my D liked about Hartwick's Honors program were the chance to register first for classes, the honors-only sections offered in some courses, and the chance to live in an honors dorm if she wanted to, as well as graduating with an honors degree. My D has been closed out of some classes she wanted at her college this year because as a freshman she's at the bottom of the totem pole. An honors "head of the line" boost would have made a difference for her.</p>
<p>I hope this helps as your D makes her decision. I remember how fraught the whole process was for our kids and our whole family. If I have one recommendation, it would be for your D to participate in overnight visits at the schools that are her final choices.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>