<p>Virginia has many fine colleges, but I am taking a closer look at Randolph-Macon and Hampden-Sydney. Pluses - Minuses anyone?</p>
<p>My son has been accepted at HSC. I tried to get him to look at RMC because of our/its Methodist connection and possible s’ships. HOWEVER, these are each others main rivals in sports. So far we are leaning towards HSC and love it. Good luck</p>
<p>Do you want to go to a college that’s only guys? That’s really the crucial question about Hampden Sydney. It’s also in the middle of nowhere, and I mean the middle of nowhere. That said, my impression, is that HS is a stronger school academically.</p>
<p>Hamden Sydney has many fine traditions. Many colleges in Virginia were single sex until recently, including the University of Virginia and William and Mary. Washington and Lee was single sex until the late 1970’s. Some female single sex colleges still exist in Virginia (but the recently lost Randolph Macon Women’s College which converted to coed and renamed Randolph College). These schools all socialize both formally and informally. So communication with and socializing with the opposite sex is frequent and highly organized. The difference is the dorms are not coed and the classes are not coed. </p>
<p>I know two people who went to Hamden Sydney and both raved about it. Wonderful traditions. Old South. Duty. Honor. Country. Stuff like that.</p>
<p>I think between Randolph Macon and Hampden Sydney its Hampden Sydney. My S went to the CHOICES open house at James Madison on Monday Feb 15 and loved it. He went to the pre-professional open house at Hampden Sydney yesterday and liked it as well. He has said that he nknows that he would enjoy JMU and have fun there but Hampden Sydney’s Pre-med program is very strong and better academically. JMU is also about $10K cheaper. So its between Hampden Sydney and James Madison.</p>
<p>I would absolute recommend that you visit and inspect H-S before deciding to attend. It’s a horse of a different color.</p>
<p>My son has visited Hampden Sydney three times. One was an overnighter with the football team. He enjoyed it. For an all male college there were plenty of girls on campus on the weekends we visited.</p>
<p>My son visited Randolph-Macon twice. Once in the fall and once this winter when he stayed overnight with the football team. Absolutely the most wonderful people to have visited. Everyone, from the coaches to the people in the bookstore. He decided this is where he wanted to go to school. Mom and dad are very happy about his decision and this school. Can hardly wait to be a part of “THE GAME!” As parents, we were really pleased with the school’s academic program. This was the best fit for our son.</p>