Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting on CC so bare with me…
I am down to the wire on selecting an ED school and I absolutely love both Hamilton and Washington and Lee. I understand that they are very different schools socially but fairly similar academically (small challenging LACs), and I am having trouble selecting one.
At Hamilton I love the close knit community and the open curriculum but I am a little concerned about feeling isolated. Also I am from New England so it would be closer to home and more similar to what I’m already used to.
At W&L I love the campus, the small town of Lexington, and the unique spring term option. I would be open to joining a sorority there, but I am a little concerned that Greek life is the only option for social life. I am also a little worried about the school’s reputation of being very conservative since I consider myself to lean more towards the liberal side. Since I am from New England I worry that I may have trouble adjusting or fitting in at W&L since it is a southern school, but during my tour I got a sense that the students and faculty are extremely friendly and welcoming so I am trying to stay optimistic.
I am sorry for the long and wordy post, but if anyone has any advice or insight to offer me I would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
I’d vote for Hamilton. Unless you like preppy, more conservative, greek focused social life all found in spades at W&L, Hamilton would be a better fit.
W&L, though fraternity/sorority oriented and reputationally conservative, would nonetheless be likely, as you pointed out, to be a friendly and supportive college at which to spend four years. Their academics appear to be very strong.
That said, the school’s social atmosphere will inevitability be influenced by its substantial Greek presence:
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-frats
Hamilton’s distinct appeal among academically top-notch LACs relates to its history of having once been two colleges: one with a classical curriculum and traditional atmosphere, the other progressive and innovative. The current Hamilton reflects the curricular – and to an extent, cultural – breadth and spatial diversity of both of these formerly separate (but always coordinate) environments. Students who would be the best match for Hamilton should find this aspect of the College interesting.
In terms of isolation, Hamilton, beyond the charming village of Clinton, offers regular transportation to nearby suburban New Hartford and the city of Utica:
https://www.hamilton.edu/campuslife/transportation/the-jitney
W&L does trend conservative, bu D1 attended and based on her friends, lots of students are either moderate/liberal or at very least liberal on social issues. New housing is great and I think will help the atmosphere. Don’t know much about Hamilton so they may have similar course offerings. W&L is one of small LAC with actual business school if that matters. W&L is technically southern school, but PA and points further north well represented. Best friends from PA, West Virginia and Minnesota. Terrific internship opportunities and Johnson scholar program gives out higher number of scholarships than we saw at other LACs we visited.
In terms of geographical represention among the student body (beyond home states), Hamilton appears to attract more students from New England and California; W&L seems more popular in the Southeast and Texas:
Most Represented States (in order)
Hamilton
New York
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Connecticut
California
Florida
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Virginia
Illinois
Washington & Lee
Virginia
Texas
North Carolina
Georgia
New Jersey
New York
Maryland
Florida
Massachusetts
Connecticut
What do you want to study? They have different strengths and focuses.
If you are interested in English, Math or Classics, I would choose Hamilton. If you are interested in entering the business world after college, I would choose W&L.
Though well-recognized MBA programs tend to regard Hamilton highly:
https://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/infographics/top-feeders-mba-programs
This HBS program would tend to extend the range of Hamilton’s business-oriented offerings:
Not intending to knock Hamilton’s MBA placement.
I was just explaining that a large percentage of W&L students major in business, economics or accounting and then go straight into the business world after graduation. Hamilton doesn’t offer a major in business or accounting, it is most famous for its writing programs, and its students are more likely to go to grad school.
That information (#'s 6 and 7) was intended as complementary to that which you offered @ThankYouforHelp. W&L’s business program, uncommon among LACs in its class, should certainly be remarked upon.
That said, Hamilton’s economics program appears to be among the strongest in the nation:
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Although not exactly “business” Hamilton has an excellent economics program coveted by many employers and grad schools. Also, the campus does appear isolated, however New Hartford is only 5 miles away and Utica is 10 miles away.