Leftist political climate?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Hamilton College
1

<p>Hamilton was one of my top college choices, until I encountered the following on studentsreview.com:</p>

<p>"The politically correct atmosphere stifled debate, academic inquiry, character development, and open-mindedness. . .Holier-than-thou, closed-minded liberal guilt reigns. Don't you dare say something that might be 1) overheard by someone else and 2) then they take your words out of context (or even if they misheard them) and bring you up on harassment charges. . .Woe betide those who dared cross the left-wing divide. Professors berated students who disagreed or offered differing points of view. . .It is the Hillsdale of the left wing side: the place for the pastors to preach to the choir." (The author graduated in 2000.)</p>

<p>Is this just the ravings of an unusually bitter individual, or an accurate description of the school?? As a fairly conservative person at an oppressively liberal high school (the ethnicity of an author is more important than the quality of his or her writing, any opposition to affirmative action is "racism", etc.) , I am really hoping to attend a college where my political views will at least be respected, if not always agreed with, and certainly not one where they will adversely affect my grades. I really don't want to totally reject Hamilton based on a single negative review as I had such a positive impression of the school before, but I know from my high school experiences that I will be MISERABLE if I end up having to hide/sell out my beliefs in order to conform/impress teachers/etc. Current/former students, please tell me if the school's political climate is truly one of overwhelming liberalism, or if is more balanced. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>UMMM, sounds like a bitter and absurd individual to me. Its college, NO ONE is as close minded as high school.
PLUS, if anything, Hamilton leans towards the right.
Overall, I get the impression that it is quite mixed and active debate is encouraged.
I find most college guide quotes to be pretty off.</p>

3

<p>This reads like someone who personally had a bad experience. I wouldn't use it as a single factor in your choice. It's like the person whose been divorced and remarried 3or4 times... "it's always the other person's fault." Really? </p>

<p>In order to learn you often have to let go of a previous belief. Some people can't.</p>

4

<p>My daughter graduated from Hamilton last year - she is very conservative politically and she didn't find the atmosphere stifling at all. She said that all her profs (no matter what their "bent") encouraged open discussion and she never felt pressure to conform to a particular world-view. She enjoyed the diversity of views on campus and had many friends who reflected that diversity. Hamilton is a great school.</p>