<p>I know that there is a significant bias on this message board, but will someone suggest the accurate fit for my brother who was accepted to both Hamilton and Bates off of the waitlist yesterday?
He wants to work in Pre-Med, Foreign Language and English.
He wants to live in a non-isolated community and hopes to find a college with alot going on, and a good party scene.</p>
<p>Hamilton is a very nice college, but it is more isolated than Bates.</p>
<p>I suspect that there is not a major difference academically but the differences are social. Have you visited either campus?</p>
<p>Hamilton has an open curriculum, in case your brother cares. Clinton, NY is very isolated.</p>
<p>Bates is very strong in pre-med and English, but I've heard that they're language program is not as solid. Bates is somewhat isolated in that Lewiston itself doesn't have much going for it, but its fairly easy to escape to Freeport, Portland, or even Boston. Many students feel that this is not necessary because there is SO much to do on campus. Supposedly the party scene is pretty good. I'm a Bates pre-frosh. I also looked at Hamilton and really liked it, but somehow it didn't end up in the final round - I think the seculusion and distance was a factor for me.</p>
<p>People are right, Hamilton is more isolated but I'd take isolation over Lewiston anyday. At Hamilton you're not far from Syracuse (40 min) which isn't great but it's there..and Colgate is just 1/2 hour away. As far as academics go, your brother can't miss at either school. I saw both and was alot more impressed with the facilities and beauty of the Hamilton campus. My guess is party scenes are both the same except Hamilton has a great pub right on campus and the diner that adjoins it is awesome and open til 5 am on the weekends. If I had to go to one, it would be Hamilton all the way. They also have great internship programs in NYC.</p>
<p>Congrats to your brother for getting into Hamilton and Bates! I'm a Bates student and Lewiston really isn't that bad. I think the part people tend not to like is the center of the city which is not the nicest looking place. But I think it has character as its old mills and architecture give it a historic New England feel. Lewiston also has many nice looking country roads that are very close to campus. And the Bates campus itself is beautiful. Lewiston also has numerous service-learning opportunities and I've met some very friendly and great people in the community. The city isn't really a bustling place with much going on but Bates provides a lot of entertainment such as concerts, lectures, dances, etc. Good luck with your brother's decision.</p>
<p>For someone very intellectual (not in the sense of highest IQ but rather.. loves learning, is at home in the world of ideas) and very left-leaning --- would either of these schools provide a simpatico community? One more than the other?</p>
<p>Hamilton has clubs on campus for democrats and republicans- I'm in the Barack Obama club- so you'll definitely find your niche. The overall character, like most LACs, is left of center, but it's not as pronounced as some other schools like Wesleyan.</p>