<p>I'm helping my Junior S research some schools and Hamilton came up as a school of interest. He is looking for a small LAC with discussion based classes, intellectual but laid-back student body, that would embrace his love of learning with his passion for the outdoors. He is kind of an " indie" type of you had to describe him. Gets along with all groups at his HS, but is pretty independent. Loves to get involved in MANY things. He has so far a projected SAT... based on Soph PSAT of around 2100+. His GPA is around 3.4 UW 3.7 W upward trend. Top private prep school on scholarship. He is an Eagle Scout, Chapter Chief for a national organization within scouting, mountain search and rescue team, First Responder, 750 hrs. community service with summers spent on conservation efforts all over the country. He is also spending his 2nd semester Junior year across the country at a school on an organic farm in Vermont.</p>
<p>Does Hamilton sound like a fit?? Don't know if we will get to visit all of these East Coast schools he is interested in because we live in CA. I've heard on some previous posts Hamilton being described as preppy, jocky. Don't think he would fit in if that was the predominant culture, but if there is a big outdoor club involvement on campus I'm sure he could find his people.</p>
<p>As a current student at Hamilton, I think your son would totally fit in here (not saying that he wouldn’t fit into Vassar, or somewhere else). As I was reading the first few lines of your post where you described what your son is looking for, I felt as if you were describing this place. First of all, Hamilton is a great fit for many people. Everybody finds their own group here as the atmosphere really is diverse. I am an international student so I had expectations concerning diversity, and I have to admit that I was not disappointed. Yes, there are many preppy kids (just like your son) but they are so different too. They come from all over the country. I really don’t think that Hamilton would be too jocky either. Students are smart here and you can see that; they act very mature and they are motivated in class. However, there is absolutely no “I’ll-stab-you-in-the-back” competition among students, rather, we help each other whenever it is possible.</p>
<p>So what IS Hamilton? Well, it is an extremely warm community with very nice people everywhere. There are tons of things to do; lots of welcoming clubs and other groups and there are beautiful places to go to. For example, right on campus there is a nice forest; students go there to run in the morning, professors go there for a walk with their dogs, anyone can go there and just relax… (not as if the campus itself weren’t nice enough). The outdoor club organizes trips nearly every week, and if you want to go on a trip (be it canoeing, hiking, kayaking, etc.) you just gather 8-10 people and they will make it happen for you. Opportunities are endless, and I’m not exaggerating.</p>
<p>You should expect that Hamilton gives you extremely personal attention throughout your four years here. Most professors will know your name by the end of the first week, they invite you to their homes for dinner, and students can actually make appointments with any college official who will all be ready to help (this is not one of those schools where you only see the dean of students at convocations). This college has lots of money and you can see and feel that this money is spent on students; all the wonderful resources are there for you to take advantage of them.</p>
<p>I’ll stop here but I could go on forever. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the replies!!!
Braincamp… was wondering why you think Vassar, Skidmore, Midd> would be better suited to him? He is an independent thinker but is not what you would describe as artsy. Also, he absolutely wants some sort of an outdoor program for him to get involved in. Being in the wilderness is like air to him. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think Vassar or Skid have an outdoor club. I Know that Midd does, but for some reason he doesn’t think he will like Midd., we may visit this Spring since it is so close to where he will be going to school and maybe he will end up liking it.</p>
<p>ksanyee… I’m happy to hear from an actual student. From what you have described I think my S will definitely apply. He would especially like the idea of forming close relationships with the teachers. At his HS he spends most of his free time hanging out with them. I also saw on the website that they have some sort of a EMT training and then you could actually work as an EMT on campus. He would LOVE that. You have eased my mind about the jock thing. It’s not like he wouldn’t get along with jocks… he is very athletic… a swimmer and mountaineer, rock climber, he just would not like it if the only social activity was hanging with a bunch of drunk guys that were all trying to out macho each other. His idea of a fun time would be hanging with friends discussing random things all night.</p>
<p>Hamilton, from my limited and anectodal experience, is outstanding. I saw “indie” and those three schools just popped in my head that also met some of the criteria - great, small student body, beautiful/natural surroundings, close ties to professors. The difference between these excellent schools are mere shades of gray.<br>
You are getting great info about Hamilton, from Hamilton. The three kids I know who went there all loved it.<br>
Best wishes.</p>
<p>I’m happy I could help; don’t hesitate to ask if you have any more questions. About the EMT program: EMT does enthusiastically recruit students from all class years to take part in their training programs. We have lots of EMTs on campus, I think I just heard that there are currently about 40 people in the group. What a caring community! And it is also a great way to make friends and some money…
And if your son is into rock climbing, he might also like our amazing indoor climbing wall (of course other colleges might have one as well)!
good luck:)</p>
<p>Weighing in on the “being from California” aspect- my DD is a junior at Ham (actually on a study abroad program this year) who has adjusted to the long, cold winters of upstate NY with no difficulty. </p>
<p>Summing up the student body she remarked, “There’s the right balance of designer jeans and sweats.” Her friends hail from all over the US and the academics have been outstanding. </p>
<p>In all ways her horizons have expanded exponentially. Best of all, viewed from the perspective of Clinton, her appreciation of San Francisco has increased.</p>
<p>ksanyee, SFmom… Thanks so much for your valuable information. My S was really excited to hear the info on the EMT program. He will for sure be into that if he gets accepted. Also, the rock climbing wall sounds great! </p>
<p>SFmom… glad to hear that your daughter adjusted well to the cold winters. My S should get a taste of it this winter when he is in Vermont. I think he will actually like it. He goes out backpacking now in the winter and sleeps in a tent or snowcave in the snow… CRAZY!!!
I really like your daughters description of the types of people there. That shows that there is a wide variety of styles and probably ideas. That is what my S is looking for. He has been know to wear shorts and flip flops one day but then a starched shirt, blazer with jeans the next. He has also worn some of his hand made clothes, and also owns a kilt… he is one of a kind. </p>
<p>Hamilton is coming to my S’s school next week. He has signed up for the info session. He is excited to talk to them.</p>