<p>Just searching for colleges, I came across some info from Hamilton in New York, and it looked good. How does it compare (in all aspects--socially, academically, arts, etc) to some of the more big-shot new england non-ivies, like Amherst and Williams? Any info at all on the school would be great; I probably won't get to visit that many places before I apply this fall because I live too far away (Virginia). Thanks!</p>
<p>************** gave Hamilton College a D- for Drug Scene</p>
<p>Open Curriculum. Good backup choice for Amherst or Brown if you’re fond of the idea.</p>
<p>meaning there are a lot of drugs or there aren’t?</p>
<p>There are. My friend plays two sports there and I’ve heard tons of stories. It sounds amazing.</p>
<p>While you’re considering Hamilton, take a look at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (one campus, two schools). Same region, Finger Lakes, New York. Pleasant alternative if you have reservations about Hamilton College.</p>
<p>My son, who eventually chose Williams, liked Hamilton quite a lot. Several years back Hamilton, which at the time was all men, absorbed nearby Kirkland College, a women’s college with strong art focus. The former Kirkland campus is affectionately called the darkside.</p>
<p>The academic focus is strong with some innovative programs. Studio art and art history are very good. I’m not sure about the other arts, but I believe their is a core interest. The kids seem to be smart, friendly and extroverted.</p>
<p>Hamilton is a lovely campus (except for Kirkland’s brutalist architecture) in an immensely beautiful setting. The downside as my son saw it was that it’s really isolated, even more so than Williams, and it’s a hike even to the tiny – but charming – town of Clinton.</p>
<p>I have learned a lot about Hamilton from watching my niece there. She loves it. It’s academically rigorous, and is most well known for its unstructured curriculum. You can take whatever you want. No requirements, except within majors. I’d say it’s only a hair below Williams and Amherst in reputation. It’s got the things you would expect, small classes, personal relationships with profs. It is in the top 20 in the rankings of LAC’s around the country I’ve seen. In USNWR, even above the likes of Oberlin. It is isolated, but that hasn’t been a problem for my niece. She can take the train to NYC, Boston, and D.C. She loves the social life. Though it has many northeastern prep school grads, it does seem to be developing some diversity. If you are from another background, I think that would count for you in admission. Intramural sports sound big there. The campus is idyllic, except for the ugly “dark side” (Kirkland, built in the 60’s, I think). My niece dreads getting out of college because she just wants to keep being at Hamilton as long as she can.</p>