@taverngirl, not certain if you’ve had a chance to read the student comments about Hamilton College in Princeton Review - my DD’s felt that they are accurate, so they may be helpful.
See what students say:
Academics
Upstate New York liberal arts school Hamilton College offers fine academics and an open curriculum that give students “preparation for the future that goes far beyond exam-taking strategies.” The focus on writing and speaking, the lack of core requirements, and the small class sizes put a “keen focus on students as unique individuals with different abilities and aspirations.” “Hamilton allows you the freedom to be anyone, but gives you the direction to become the best person you can become,” says a student. The school’s “mix of old-school practices with liberal thinking” allows students to become “true intellectuals beyond the basics of academia.” “Hamilton College is all about learning how to think and then conveying those ideas into writing,” says a student. The professors at Hamilton are “brilliant but they do not flaunt it and instead defer to class discussions.” Professors are also “always available outside of class to discuss anything further.” “Their extensive office hours are when you can really connect with them,” says one student. In using their “ability to bring classes to life,” professors demonstrate their interest in “comprehension of the material beyond grades.” The open curriculum allows for classes to be “extremely productive,” because “people want to be there learning and talking about what interests them.” “I know when I enroll in a class that the people I take that class with are truly interested in the class (just as I am),” says one student. “They aren’t there to fulfill a requirement.” Though the campus itself is large, the undergraduate population is fewer than 2,000, so class sizes are downright tiny (which is “excellent”), and if you can’t get in to a class, “all you have to do is talk to the professors, and they’ll usually make room for you.” Research opportunities are plentiful, and facilities (such as labs) “are well-equipped.” The administration “does what they can to adhere to the needs and wants of the students.”
Student Body
The typical student at Hamilton was a top student at his/her high school; is very invested in at least one activity on campus; works hard during the week but makes the most of weekends; is invested in maintaining health and fitness; and has big dreams for his/her future. “‘Preppy’ seems to be the common connection between a lot of students,” but “for a school in the middle of Central New York, [Hamilton has] a remarkably varied student population.” Students are often characteristically preppy, athletic “light siders,” or artsy “dark siders,” “but things aren’t really that black and white, and there is typically a place for everyone as long as you look.” Everyone is “exceptionally nice,” and “people here aren’t afraid to be themselves.” “Everyone is passionate about their academics as well as their activities outside the classroom.”
Campus Life
The “beautiful campus” is located in the middle of relatively nowhere, but students are creative in that they “very successfully compensate for our isolated location with themed parties, clubs, and other eclectic activities.” Students are “incredibly devoted” to their school work, but they are also devoted to having a good time. “A typical Hamilton student loves to learn on the weekdays, and drink…on the weekends (but gets to bed early enough to study the following afternoon!).” Still, there are plenty of people on campus who prefer to remain sober, though “whether that is a choice or due to lack of confidence in finding parties, I don’t know.” More often than not, “Hamiltonians aren’t strictly about working themselves to death.” People who have cars (a huge plus) can go downtown or into New Hartford in their free time, but “most students spend most of their time on campus.” Often, students just catch the van that travels around the area and “go to the movies or the mall and just hang out with friends.” Hamilton has “a very intellectually stimulating academic environment,” and “it is not at all uncommon to find a whole dorm room debating about an economic theory that only one of them actually learned about in class.”