<p>My niece asked me to pose her quandary to readers who may know about these schools. She has acceptances from both of them, and doesn't know what to do. All opinions, knowledge, hearsay, things you have heard --- any input welcome. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hamilton is more well known and stronger academically. Nevertheless, both are solid LACS.</p>
<p>i would go hamilton</p>
<p>I have heard that Hamilton is pretty liberal. Both are very good schools.</p>
<p>Hamilton is more selective and considered a bit stronger academically.</p>
<p>Dickinson is a solid school; Hamilton is generally perceived as more selective and prestigious. For example, collegeconfidential.com includes Hamilton (but not Dickinson) in its forum for "Top</a> Liberal Arts Colleges". </p>
<p>This does not necessarily mean that Hamilton is a better choice for your niece, but it is one point to consider.</p>
<p>Hamilton is much stronger academically but they are both good LAC's.
What type of environment does your niece want ? </p>
<pre><code> Hamilton is in a very rural area of upstate NY. The winters are very long, cold and snowy. The snow starts in October and can last into April. The town of Clinton is very cute and it is about a 1 mile walk into town. My D reported that that 1 mile walk seemed verrry long on cold, windy days. You need to make friends with an upperclassman with a car. The school is beautiful but my D found it to be too isolated for her comfort. Her friends, who are more into outdoor sports, i.e. skiing, love it.
D found it easy to get to know her professors and students are often invited to dinners at the profs homes. The level of advising and interaction with professors is very impressive and there are many opportunities for internships.
My D transferred after her freshman year because she found the weather and the isolation to be depressing, she is really a city girl and it wasn't a good match for her, but it is a wonderful school.
Dickinson is located in a small town, so it is easier to run to a drugstore, movie, etc. and I am told that central Pa. doesn't get he type of cold winters that upstate NY gets but I don't have personal experience with it.
So, both are good schools though Hamilton is much stronger academically but she should visit to decide which environment is more appealing to her.
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<p>I live relatively close to Dickinson (or at least visit there a lot, we have a cabin and a lot of friends near there), and it is VERY small towny. Not much to do in the area at all. </p>
<p>And, yes, central PA does not get the same types of winters. We have mild weather in comparison with upstate NY.</p>
<p>Hamilton is probably better known and stronger academically, and the more quirky of the two- or at least that's the impression I got from a friend that applied to both schools.</p>