<p>Thanks B@r!um (interesting name!) for your insight. I would imagine the Bi-Co relationship is different from the BC perspective than from an H’ford perspective. I like your statement: “opportunities of a college of 2,500 students with the close-knit community of a college of 1,200 students” and will present it to DS; makes a lot of sense. Considering that he is a little hesitant also at the very small size of H compared to come of the other LACs he’s considering (he’s coming from a HS of around 300), this is a very nice concise argument. I know the best thing he can do is TALK TO CURRENT STUDENTS (and imo this goes for all students at all schools), he’s on the shy side and hesitant to do so. Sigh…</p>
<p>Considering class size… A high school with 300 students per class is nothing like a college with 300 students per class. In HS, most students do not contribute a lot of depth to the academic and cultural experience… maybe 50 kids run the show… but in a good small college, almost every student makes a meaningful contribution, so the school is more likely to be buzzing with activity even with 300 students per class…</p>
<p>Mutti2012: My own opinion is that HC is such a college of “fit” (or not) that if your S is finding that he needs too much convincing regarding size then it is probabaly not the right school for him. HC provides an amazing educational experience but is not for everyone. My S, now graduated was attracted by the size and the strong community and knew that he did not want a larger school. After your S visits (hopefully for an overnight) if he still has concerns that it might be too small, I would say to focus more on an LAC that is the “next size up.” Good luck!</p>
<p>My experience is as a BMC alum from years back, but I would say that the two campuses are literally, one mile apart, so that the bus to the other campus is an overly narrow way to look at campus life. We took the Blue Bus between campuses only when it was too cold or rainy to walk, and a lot of people rode bikes etc. The advantage was that the two campuses were so close, much more so that the Amherst area 5 college consortium. </p>
<p>Taking class at Swarthmore and UPenn from either BMC or H’ford was more elaborate, but certainly another way to expand your experience of the size of a place. </p>
<p>Good luck,</p>
<p>Thanks all, for these recent insights. S was thinking of scheduling his interview this summer, but I may convince him to wait until the fall when the students are back on campus.</p>