<p>Have you visited the schools? I think they’re probably comparable in “prestige”–you can be successful coming out of either one. You should choose the school that makes you more comfortable (other kids, dorms, whatever is important to you non-academically).</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to visit the schools (I’m an international student) 
</p>
<p>Yes, I am now relying on non-academic factors.</p>
<p>Well, most schools are going to have at most one bathroom per gender per wing or floor, depending on the size and configuration of the floor. It is very likely that you will share a bathroom with 15 people at any school where they don’t put freshmen in apartments. That bathroom will probably have multiple private toilet stalls and multiple private shower stalls.</p>
<p>The bathrooms are typically cleaned regularly by maintenance staff, and everything works. You don’t find the kind of situation where there are overflowing toilets that can’t be flushed and people continue to use them while flies circle. Nor do you find the kind of situation where used toilet paper is put in a wastebasket rather than flushed. (The norm in some countries to which I’ve traveled, even in private homes.) Do you live in the US? have you traveled here? I don’t know what you are imagining, but it is unlikely to be as dire as you think.</p>
<p>BTW, in observing bathrooms in various institutions in the last couple of years, I’d say that the comparatively “public” ones look cleaner because students usually have to take their toilet articles and towels back to their rooms, rather than leaving them on the sink.</p>
<p>I’m going to differ with everyone else and recommend you go to HWS. Yes, Denison is a bit higher ranked academically, but the academic reps of the two colleges aren’t THAT different. (Put <a href=“http://www”>www</a>. in front of usnews.com and check out the college rankings there. This will give you a rough idea of how the colleges compare. USNews’ ranking system is far from perfect, but it will give you some idea of how these two colleges fit into the overall picture.) </p>
<p>I don’t know if you are male or female. HWS really is two separate colleges for men and women with a co-ordinate college system. If you are from a more conservative country, you might beel more comfortable with this that the typical co-ed college. </p>
<p>The Finger Lakes Region of NY, where HWS is located, is beautiful. It is also a bit isolated. I’d pick it over the area in which Denison is located in a heart beat, but that’s personal prference. </p>
<p>Creative writing is one of HWS’s strengths. </p>
<p>While only about a quarter of the student body at Denison belongs to fraternities, it’s only about 7% at HWS. Most internationals I have known are uncomfortable with the Greek system. </p>
<p>At the very least, if you haven’t already done so, I’d suggest reading the wikipedia descriptions of the two schools.</p>
<p>Thanks! Your post/reply was really informative! I am female and yes, I do belong to a conservative country (though I’d prefer to study in a co-ed environment, I’d definitely like to live in an all-female dorm/housing arrangement).</p>
<p>BTW: I, too, am VERY uncomfortable with the Greek system.</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>Oh yes, then I definitely agree with Jonri.</p>
<p>How good is the William Smith College housing?</p>
<p>I suggest that you post this and any other questions in the forum for HWS. If you check the main discussion page, you’ll see a link to Colleges and Universities, right under the Parents Forum. Under that, look for the sublink alphabetical list of colleges. Click on it and look under H. Find Hobart and William Smith and post there.</p>
<p>HWS isn’t a very active forum, but I could still try. I asked the question here mainly because I am looking for a more objective analysis of the situation.</p>
<p>Thanks 
!</p>
<p>I don’t think HWS will work for the OP. 4 of the 5 female dorms there have one shared bathroom on each floor and she requires a female dorm that does not make her share a bathroom with those from outside her suite.
[HWS:</a> On-Campus Housing](<a href=“http://www.hws.edu/studentlife/resed_on_campus.aspx]HWS:”>http://www.hws.edu/studentlife/resed_on_campus.aspx)</p>
<p>I can’t figure out if any of the Denison dorms are for first year students and are designated as all female.
<a href=“Denison A-Z | Denison University”>Denison A-Z | Denison University;
<p>OP, I suggest that you contact both of these schools, explain your needs and the reasons, and ask for their advice regarding housing.</p>
<p>It may be that they can reassure you that the bathroom situation will work for you, or suggest measures you can take to address your needs.</p>
<p>Yes, I’ve contacted both schools.</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>@MidwestMom2Kids_: None of the DU dorms for first year students have rooms with a private bath. Students live in co-ed dorms, but can opt for all-female/ all-male floors or wings.</p>
<p>As for HWS, only Comstock Hall has private bathrooms located in between every two rooms. I am not too sure about the co-ed dorms.</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>Okay, I understand that this issue is important to you, but I really think that selecting the college at which you will spend 4 years on the basis of bathrooms available to first year students is FOOLISH!</p>
<p>Please don’t get the impression that this issue is the sole deciding factor. It’s a need, and I’m sure we’ll get to a proper solution soon. I’ve shortlisted two colleges that are pretty much on par when it comes to academic reputation. I’ll choose the one I would be more comfortable attending, that’s it.</p>