<p>MLEVINE</p>
<p>I'm not sure Bard is superior to Hampshire. We visited both. Bard is more selective but Hampshire has a whole lot going for it. In any case, you now have 2 great choices. Hampshire is very writing-heavy.</p>
<p>I'm reasonably sure that Bard is the writing-heavy place, compared to Hampshire. Hampshire is in the Five College Consortium and requires all students to do a final master project in senior year, plus take advantage continuously of the resources of the other 4 colleges, so anything is possible at H, including a writing-heavy program.</p>
<p>Bard has a well-developed Creative Writing major, summer h.s.programs specializing in "Writing and Thought", early admittance college for qualified h.s. juniors. The h.s. juniors are at a different campus, "Simon's Rock" near Great Barrington, MA. </p>
<p>Both are excellent, unique places. Bard has a brand new performing arts building. Hampshire recently required its students to do distribution requirements, not just that mad senior project. </p>
<p>There are probably more people around you at Hampshire than at Bard, because of the 5 college consortium.</p>
<p>Everybody gets a single at Hampshire.</p>
<p>OMG, OP, how will you decide? Sings to be U! Congrats for working hard to get back your chance to choose. Either place would be lucky to have you, IMHO.</p>
<p>On the Original Post about Waitlists, am adding what I can offer:</p>
<ol>
<li>Some schools are offering students acceptance into an "alternative major" when they couldn't place into a more popular major they requested on their original application. It means the college likes them, but that major was too crowded, competitive or whatever.</li>
</ol>
<p>This happened in one school for my S. They're letting him stay on the waitlist for his desired major, meanwhile accepted him to the college for an alternative major that they suggested (gave him a menu of choices, actually, and he found an acceptable one, not bad).</p>
<pre><code>So I'm suggesting: If you love the college/uni a lot AND the major you originally identified doesn't mean the world to you, this might be something to propose by phone to the college that waitlisted you. See if, by declaraing a different major, college, program or department they'd take you in right now. Ask to stay on the waitlist for your original major, of course. Ask that when a spot opens up in that major, you be notified and offered the chance to transfer over.
</code></pre>
<p>But don't asssume anything. Ask now if you could be closed out of your hoped-for major always, because it's so popular. That's worth asking. Ask if you'd be given priority over a transfer student, if you already attend the college. Just be very careful not to go in under false hopes, by asking every possible question. </p>
<p>I'd also suggest: Write down and file the name of the admission officer who tells you what will be in the future, too. Essential: if you agree by phone, ask them to write you a new letter offering you acceptance under the different major or college department with promise that if a spot opens in your originally hoped for major, you'd be notified and allowed to transfer over.</p>
<p>In fact, in my son's case, his desired major is so popular (cinema) that he's thinking now he'd rather go to the other school that accepted him directly into cinema, rather than wait under the alternative major. GIven the popularity of the cinema production programs (8% admit rates), we just don't think that major spot will ever open up. </p>
<p>But "borderline-popular" majors might work differently. </p>
<p>I'd never heard of this system. Perhaps this story can help someone else.</p>
<ol>
<li>Our eldest was busy packing for "Second Choice" when a waitlist called him in...in late August. But it was for a spring admit. He decided by then he was excited about "Second Choice" and declined their call, especially since he'd need to attend first semester at Second Choice without getting excited over it, so he could transfer mid-winter to the waitlist place, and for who-knows-what housing (although on campus).
However, IF this happens to you, you might feel differently. It's nothing to hold out hopes for, and really makes sense psychologically to throw yourself into the excitement of going where you're going.
(Four years later he graduated from "Second Choice" but had a fantastic education and experience there. It morphed into his "First Choice" by October of freshman year. So keep an open heart and mind. Try to sideline these waitlists and maybe they'll happen, maybe they won't. If you can do that, try.</li>
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