<p>Does anybody know about that weird tradition at Hamilton? When I saw it in the information they sent, I was a little turned off... It seemed both impractical and stupid to me - not to mention a little gross. Does everyone wear Abercrombie and Fitch, and pop their pink polo shirts at Hamilton? Hmm... I suppose there are probably a mixture of punk/goth styles as well, judging from the pictures they sent. Please tell me that isn't really the atmosphere there!</p>
<p>I saw that in the info too. I wouldn't worry so much about it-- they're just comfortable and easy to slip on, so kids wear flip flops regardless of the temperature. At my school, a lot of kids wear birkinstocks with socks, and i think it's kind of the same thing- they're something lax that work well for a lot of kids, so therefore, it's a "tradition." The a&f/popped collar thing concerned me too. I don't think it's too much like that. I'm sure there is a population of kids that are very preppy, but I was assured that there were plenty of other types too. Plus, despite style, everyone's apparently extremely friendly, which is the most important thing.</p>
<p>Thanks for responding, RFH (are we the only two people active here?). I am not particularly disturbed that there will be preppy kids there (it's a college after all) but more by the fact that <em>this</em> was what the college chose to advertise about their school. What exactly were they trying to accomplish by doing that? Are they trying to attract kids who dress that way? It's like those college pamphlets that have kids screaming on the cover and have their faces painted blue (well, those I just throw out). Think about it this way - a college only has so much room in their pamphlet to convince students to apply and if accepted, enroll in their school...So my question is - why did you think they chose to highlight that?</p>
<p>oooh, ok. i think it's just the school's way of illustrating the fact that there is a real community feel about the campus. they have cutesy "traditions" and although it's not logical to wear flip flops in the winter, the kids are chill enough to do something that nonsensical. don't read too much into it. i thought it was aa little weird but sorta cute at the same time. hamilton is a great place no matter what their pamphlets say, anyway.</p>
<p>ooohmygosh you guys i just got back from hamilton and it is soo pretty in the winter!!! From what I saw, there was a really nice mix of all sorts of kids--it's not just a&f collar poppers. And there were definetly kids wearing shorts in the freezing weather, which shocked me at first because I was COLD!!! I guess I'm just not used to the weather. Anyways, everybody I talked to was really nice, some kids even introduced themselves to me and offered to give directions. I held back buying anything from the store though, I'm afraid I'll jinx it!! maann feb. 15 needs to get here fast.</p>
<p>i know, feb. 15th could not possibly come fast enough. glad to hear it's so pretty in winter-- i've only been there in late spring and late fall. haha, i too refrained from buying anything at the store even though they have soo many Hamilton things that i want. also really glad to hear that you saw a mix of students. argh, so nervous for the 15th! does anyone know if we actually hear back on the 15th or is it sometimes earlier/later? i'm leaving for a trip on the 17th so i NEED to know before then! hehe.</p>
<p>Eh, kids here wear shorts and flipflops all winter. I don't personally...though I'll admit to wearing socks and sandals.</p>
<p>For the record, just to be a pain, there is A&F, and then there is Polo/Lilly Pulitzer/Lacoste etc. Completely different levels.</p>
<p>Do you consider "Polo/Lilly Pulitzer/Lacoste" a greater level of mindless conformity? Is A&F cheaper than those? I freely admit to knowing absolutely nothing about fashion or labels...</p>
<p>A&F is more "mindless conformity," I think. The others are more truly classic-ly preppy - tend to be found on people who really do come from money, and, yes, cost more.</p>
<p>but still, the people i met were really nice regardless of what they were wearing. so i have a question...did anyone mark that they'd be willing to be considered for both fall and spring semesters? bc apparently there's a really cool jan-admit program that lets you study in Ireland and use those credits for hamilton. i think that would be really cool!!</p>
<p>so you would go to ireland before the start of your 1st semester in january? studying in ireland would be sooo awesome! katuga is very right about the people-- i was REALLY obsessed with figuring out how uniform and preppy the student body was until i actually met some of the kids. everyone i met was genuinely nice and that's what matters, essentially. if the pricey prep clothes accompany snobbish, wealthy partiers that only care about getting drunk on weekends and being rich, then that's another story. for the most part, though, i believe that is not the case. a current student's confirmation of that would be appriciated, though!</p>
<p>I agree, sandals in the winter isn't necessarily a Hamilton tradition, so much as a college-student thing. At many of the colleges I went to, I saw people in sandals regardless of season, and to be honest, I like it. I think it shows that people are more relaxed and care-free.
As for the stereotyping, my interviewer called Hamilton the country club of colleges. Interpret that as you may.</p>
<p>Yeah i saw that in the book too...I think it is just showing the "lighter side" of Hamilton (as they said themselves). I don't think there is some strange sandal fetish...hehe. I visited and everyone was really nice and normal. Plus I have friends who go there and love it.</p>