<p>A young man that I know, a rising high school senior, is interested in attending Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. His guidance counselor says he should have no problem getting accepted; he is in the top quarter of his class at a Catholic high school, a 91 average and lots of school activities (yearbook, student government, etc).</p>
<p>After reviewing the college's web site, his parents have one concern. The school attracts primarily southern, preppy WASPs; the young man and his family are northern, urban, white ethnic Catholics. His parents are worried that their son won't fit in a such a school.</p>
<p>I told them that I would post their concerns here at CollegeConfidential.com. I told them that forum members are pretty sharp and have plenty opinions to share. Please don't prove me wrong!</p>
<p>Any opinions would be appreciatied. Thanking everyone in advance.</p>
<p>DH and brothers were preppy mid-Atlantic coast Catholics...they liked it. Probably not for everyone, though. I recall almost everyone was a member of a fraternity. Even though it is remote, there is a lot of socializing between HSC and women's colleges, road trips to UVA, bands on campus.</p>
<p>Trivia: Stephen Colbert went there for a year</p>
<p>I know someone who just graduated from there last year. He was an Italian Catholic from a Connecticut public high school. He absolutely loved the place, and loved all of the traditions including wearing bow ties. He had visited during his junior year and so he knew what the school was like.</p>
<p>People from all walks of life can fall in love with a place like Hampden-Sydney. It's not for everyone, but no reason to scratch it off the list before he learns more about it.</p>
<p>The predominant denomination on campus is Roman Catholic,followed by Episcopal and Presbyterian.The school is purely liberal arts and proud of it.No cheap junk majors.Economics is the most popular major.Only about a third of the student body is Greek.
The classes are small.If you don't do the work,everyone knows,so you flunk out,quit,or transfer.
The brotherhood on campus is beyond tight.It's incomparable.Sports and social life mean a lot at HSC.The honor code is run and enforced by the students-very strict.
A visit will seal the deal.Try to go when classes are in session.Arrange to stay at Hamden House on campus-you need to request it through the admissions office.
The culture on campus is very conservative,traditional.Partying,however,is big time.</p>
<p>I knew two HSC alums; one was a likeable fellow, the other was a horse's end. Both were native small town Virginians and intelligent. They couldn't have been more different in temperament. The point is, you'll meet all kinds of people at college.</p>