Can anyone shed further light on this program? Its been mentioned a few times in Hamilton threads, but when I look on the Hamilton site it is simply listed as a housing option. It sounds a bit like the first year program at Midd: where you live with your classmates and thereby it helps to bond students. Is this something a student chooses or is put into? Does it dictate the classes you take?
Yes, just like Midd; the Hamilton REAL program groups students together that are taking one of four seminar style classes - https://www.hamilton.edu/campuslife/where-to-live/real
Our DD’s are both freshman at Hamilton, and while neither chose that program, they have friends in it that are enjoying it a lot - and South dorm is a stunning, historic building in a great location.
The shared class is an important component of REAL, and distinguishes the program from what would otherwise be simply a residential arrangement. Nonetheless, REAL is not particularly restrictive, in that the one, one-semester programmed course is chosen from among four options. The three remaining course spaces are open, as are all four second-semester courses, and can be selected by conventional standards. Incoming students elect REAL with what I believe is a brief request form, though space is limited. Students will not be assigned to the program unless they have expressed this specific interest. After a first-year experience in REAL, students can live and study where and what they choose.