<p>Hamilton seems like a good choice for a science (physics) major who wants an open curriculum in a LAC, but how would it be for an intellectual, radical lefty, anime lover??</p>
<p>there are two sides to hamilton's campus-- the "light side" and the "dark side". when i did an overnight there, my host said that the light side has typically the more athletic, sciencey types, and the dark side has the artsy, more offbeat types. From your description, I feel like the person you're describing would fit in great on the dark side.</p>
<p>What a great description! I guess he'd be a bit of both. Tell me, did you end up choosing Hamilton and have you found that to be true? Did you go elsewhere and why? I ask because years ago the school had a strong rep as preppy, frat and party - oriented, and now it seems to be either changing or wanting to change. I'm wondering how large the 'dark side' is?</p>
<p>i chose hamilton because i found the people to be friendly, sweet, funny, and generally amazing. i don't actually go there yet (i was just accepted ED1). when i overnighted at hamilton, i didn't feel the "preppy, frat and party-oriented" vibe at all. everyone i met was so down-to-earth and kind and everything i said above. the dark side is about half the campus.</p>
<p>a little history about dark side and light side:
(the campus consists of what was formally known as Hamilton College, a male college, and the neighboring Kirkland College, a female institution. the two colleges joined together to become Hamilton College. the light side of campus is what was originally hamilton college, and the dark side is what was originally kirkland college)</p>
<p>Congratulations!!! That's great! Yes, we also were blown away by the down-to-earth friendliness of everyone we met, and the tremendous opportunities available to students in terms of research, internships, and overall faculty mentoring. We visited Union next --- another school with a prep/frat/party rep. So now the task is to get under the skin of both schools (& other NYS neighbors, Rochester & Geneseo) and find the truth underneath the stereotypes.</p>
<p>likes2draw, you'll definitely find a niche at Hamilton. True there's the preppy type on campus, but there are plenty of artsy lefty types as well. Even though I lived on the light side for 3 of my 4 years (I preferred the aesthetics and rooming options) the majority of my friends lived on the dark side. One of the things I appreciated about Hamilton was that a wide range of students can feel comfortable and at home. Let me know if you have other questions! I'd be happy to talk about my time on "the hill".</p>
<p>Hey Hamalum: how recently did you graduate? I have a D who is seriously looking at Hamilton and she is curious to find out a little more about the prevailing culture(s) there. How much do the frats dominate the social scene? How prevalent is loud partying/drinking in the dorms? On the parent forum there is a parent who has been writing about her D's experience this semester with out of control suitemates ( I think her D is at UNC chapel hill). Could you see this happening at Hamilton and would the administration have any response? My D is certainly not a prude or antisocial. however, she wants to be somewhere where the prevailing culture includes mostly reasonable people who have respect/tolerance for others. THanks for any insight you can offer.</p>
<p>AKmom2- I graduated from Hamilton in 2006 (I can't believe it's been a year and a half already!). I would say that the prevailing scene is the one your daughter chooses to be involved in. There are parties every weekend. In my four years I went to three, total. I personally preferred going with friends to concerts, comedians, A Capella concerts, etc. Actually, the year I lived on the Dark side, our floor loved playing massive games of hide and seek. </p>
<p>As for the dorms. Some are better known for being rowdier than others. For example: Milbank (one of the suite complexes), Dunham and Carnegie (upperclassmen only). I was in the same boat as your daughter with regards to housing my first year and I was really hoping to be in North (known for close community). I ended up on the first floor of Dunham. I had heard it was one of the "social" dorms and so was worried. I didn't need to be. The open door policy was great for meeting other freshmen. </p>
<p>If she's truly worried about having out of control roommates/suitemates, request to live on the dark side (you get used to the concrete). And should any trouble arise, there are the RAs and Res life staff to help mediate (yes they do respond). Their immediate course of action probably won't be changing rooms. They'll try to work it out first. But if the differences are just too much, they'll work to find another rooming situation.</p>
<p>I hope that helps!</p>