<p>Too scared to go east. Should I jsut stick with a state university? Could it be that bad?</p>
<p>What’s so scary about the East?</p>
<p>Confused77, my son had exactly the same decision to make. In his case it was the University of Michigan honors program or Hamilton, which will be a long way from home in a very, very different environment. We visited Hamilton last week, and I couldn’t have been more impressed. Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere seemed relaxing despite the fact that the end of the term is approaching.</p>
<p>My husband and I both teach at a regional state university and here’s what impressed us about Hamilton:</p>
<p>–Student/facutly ration of 9 to 1</p>
<p>–All faculty have terminal degress and almost all are in full-time, regular positions (an increasing rarity nationwide.)</p>
<p>–NO graduate students teaching classes or taking up the majority of the faculty’s time and energy.</p>
<p>–Very small classes and a collaborative, supportive environment for learning vs. a competitive one. </p>
<p>–Discussion-based classes.</p>
<p>– A very strong, individualized advising system. </p>
<p>–No distribution requirements which means that you’re never in a class full of people who don’t want to be there.</p>
<p>–Many, many opportunities for student research. Our student tour guide told us how her roomate had her name on a peer-reviewed journal publication before she started her sophmore year</p>
<p>–A variety of lving situations and NO massive, brick box dorms</p>
<p>–Healthy food and a wide variety of it</p>
<p>–Lots of opporunities for various outdoor activities and sports of all kinds and at all levels from varsity to intramural to club.</p>
<p>–Their outdoor rec center which not only has equipment available for use, but also sponsors many trips throughout the year, including a choice of 27 Adirondack Adventure trips before the fall term starts.</p>
<p>–A very strong study abroad program</p>
<p>–A strong and active alumni network. In fact, Hamilton has the highest percentage of small, LAC alumni who donate in the country. That says a great deal about the school.</p>
<p>I’m sure there are things I’ve forgotten…</p>
<p>The most important thing is to visit if you haven’t already done so. We almost didn’t, and it would have been a huge mistake.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>It just doesn’t feel right. But my chances at a good grad school are probably higher at a school in the east…who knows</p>