<p>So I was accepted and love Skidmore academically, but I am not so sure about the other aspects of the school. Though it seems like a lot of people identify its location as a plus, I am worried that I will feel isolated as there are no nearby colleges or major cities close by. Also, even after a visit I am unsure about the people it attracts. Because it is a small school I am concerned there will not be a lot of diversity as far as interests and activities. I am interested in visual arts and culture but not so much in theater and the a capella groups Skidmore seems to be full of. I am wondering if a larger school or one in a different area would be better. Right now I am about 60% Skidmore, 30% CU Boulder, and 10% Hampshire. (Vermont and the New School are also up for consideration...but not so much) Anyone with any advice or insight, I would greatly appreciate it!</p>
<p>wow i feel like i wrote this post myself!</p>
<p>im in a high school that sounds A LOT like skidmore and i HATE IT. </p>
<p>The worst part is that skidmore is the best college i got accepted into, and im worried that im selling myself short by going anywhere else…</p>
<p>There’s nooo diversity here. The academics are not that great either. But the food is good and the dorms are pretty big, but most people get stuck with roommates they hate.</p>
<p>skidmore vs. hampshire…help!</p>
<p>Hampshire is cool, but it would be up to you to discipline and organize your studies. Hampshire has the 5 colleges thing which is utilized, though not as often as advertised. I hear photo department at Hampshire is great.</p>
<p>Our daughter had the same choice and decided to go to Hampshire. It was a tough choice and it really comes down to personal preference. Skidmore admissions are probably more competitive and it definitely has better amenities (dorms, buildings, facilities, food). The academic system is progressive, but far more conventional than Hampshire’s. This can be a good thing for many students who require guidance in choosing a course of study that leads to a degree in a particular major. </p>
<p>Hampshire has a far less conventional academic system that can be very appealing to those who want to design their own ‘major’ or who have felt like round pegs being force-fit into academic square holes (here’s a cute video [Video:</a> Investigate, Collaborate, Innovate.](<a href=“http://www.hampshire.edu/admissions/11130.htm]Video:”>http://www.hampshire.edu/admissions/11130.htm)). As noted above, you must be well-disciplined for Hampshire to work well for you. The 5-College system is also a plus in that you can take classes at any of the other 4 schools. For example, our Son is interested in African Studies and took a UMass course in Wolof, the language native to Senegal and Gambia. There are going to be few SLACs where you would have that kind of opportunity.</p>
<p>Indiecisive, what did you decide? And what was the decisive factor?</p>
<p>i decided on skidmore.</p>
<p>What tipped the balance in favor of Skidmore?</p>
<p>I know you have already decided, but I just wanted to say that Skidmore seems to have a pretty good visual arts program. I know a few grads from there who majored in visual arts and they seem to have gotten a really good foundation in art and have found work in arts-related fields after college. Have you checked out the Tang museum?
No one I know had a problem with the location, they all loved Saratoga. It’s a beautiful city. It is within three hours from Montreal, Boston, and NYC and offers internship opportunities there as well, so I wouldn’t really say it is in the middle of nowhere.
If you want more diversity, study abroad.
Good luck, I hope you like it!</p>