Same "feel" as Hamilton

Parents Forum
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<p>We just returned from son's college tour #1. He LOVED Hamilton College in NY. The school's size, curriculum, atmosphere fits his personality to a T. Ordinarily his transcript, test scores and extracurriculars would make him a prime candidate. But last year the school's acceptance rate was less than 30%, so we have to think that he may not get in. Are there any schools that have the same "feel" as Hamilton, but where the acceptance rates favor mere mortals a little more. He plans to major in History, Math and/or Chemistry. </p>

<p>Any suggestions would be most appreciated.</p>

2

<p>What about Hobart & William Smith? or Kenyon?</p>

3

<p>Colgate and Middlebury might be good additions to your list</p>

4

<p>Yes, Hobart! There’s something about that place that I just love. Their acceptance rate is over 50%. They did well on financial aid, too. </p>

<p>Jym, Colgate and Middlebury have pretty low acceptance rates. Both are under 30%. But I agree, they would be more good reach schools for a list that includes Hamilton.</p>

5

<p>Try some of the PA private LAC’s…like Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, Lafayette maybe Muhlenberg. Some might have undergrad business and engineering…but the campuses have a similar “feel”. </p>

<p>Fascinating page from Dickinson’s admission FAQ…with a list of top 10 cross admits…could be a good list for you!(Hamilton is on the list…)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.dickinson.edu/admit/qfacts.html[/url]”>http://www.dickinson.edu/admit/qfacts.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Page also shows that Dickinson’s admit rates was 44% for Fall 2008. You’ll need to check for more recent admit rate, and check the others.</p>

6

<p>Look at Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Skidmore, like Wheaton, is somewhat of an admissions bargain for boys. Bates is similar in acceptance rates to Hamilton but is another school with a similar feel to Hamilton.</p>

7

<p>Look at Connecticut College in New London, CT. My S1 applied ED at Hamilton and was rejected; he then applied to Conn EDII and was accepted. He had a great four years there.</p>

<p>They seem to favor boys, too.</p>

<p>And, BTW, congratulations on being realistic about his chances.</p>

8

<p>Having looked at over 30 colleges over the last couple years, Hamilton is a great college and S2 loved it. I think Hobart is a good start, but Skidmore is much closer to Hamilton. S1 actually liked Hamilton, but loved Skidmore. S2 picked Swarthmore over Hamilton and Hobart. You can’t go wrong with Skidmore!</p>

9

<p>Would he venture west? Whitman, maybe Occidental.</p>

10

<p>Dang. Am now regretting not making it to Skidmore on our upstate loop last week… we’d planned to, but D2 had just gotten over the flu, and D1 caught it…
Both these schools (Hamilton and Skidmore), are ones that I think S2 would like, but like many others, am concerned about the cost. Guess we won’t know unless he applies. Maybe a fall trip is in order-</p>

11

<p>I’ve always had the impression that Hamilton was fairly sports-oriented, and somewhat preppy–like Colgate. </p>

<p>Which would make Middlebury and Bowdoin logical prospects, although not easier admits…</p>

<p>Dickinson and Colby would seem to make sense…and maybe Denison instead of Kenyon? And I agree with Conn College. I haven’t been to any of them, though.</p>

<p>Edit: another school I haven’t been to personally, but sounds as if it might fit the bill is the University of Vermont.</p>

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<p>I did notfind conn. college tohave the same feel, as the ones above</p>

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<p>Bates is as far in mindset from Hamilton as you can get. So is University of Vermont. In terms of having a similar feel you can look at:
Skidmore and Franklin and Marshall would be easier to get into than Hamilton. Then Colby.
Below that would be Muhlenberg, Dickinson, Wheaton also Elon. On par with it but larger, so that may be an issue, would be Colgate and Bucknell. Bowdoin and Middlebury would be a hareder.</p>

14

<p>I am going to second Hobart & William Smith. I know several people that applied to both.</p>

15

<p>Novanglia, My son loved Hamilton too. It was a lot less selective in 2003 though. The other schools that he liked that were in the same general feeling have already been mentioned here: Kenyon, Conn College, Skidmore. Didn’t visit, but might be worth a look: Colby, Bucknell, Gettysburg.</p>

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<p>Colgate, Bucknell, Bowdoin and Middlebury all have under 30% acceptance rate. These schools will not be any easier to get into.</p>

<p>I second Skidmore (over 36% acceptance). You should also consider Union College (over 43% acceptance) and University of Richmond (almost 40%). Other folk have suggested Hobart and William Smith Colleges (almost 55% acceptance).</p>

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<p>

In what way?</p>

18

<p>try St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. Similar size (slightly larger), similar types of students, rural campus, liberla arts, a little higher acceptance rate.</p>

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<p>Franklin and Marshall is a lovely school.</p>

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<p>Alleghney, Alleghney, Alleghney College and please be prepared when they hand you a very large merit scholarship!!! You will be able to attend any graduate school you want to after your four years here. (quite don’t let it get around)!</p>