Down to the wire here-thoughts Hamilton versus Haverford?

[Anonymous]

We know the obvious differences--location, size, any other thoughts?

[Anonymous]

What is intended major and career path?

[Anonymous]

OP-very undecided!!! could be gov/political science, law school, bio! all over the place. looking for the liberal arts thing to figure it out. Mainstream kid.

[Anonymous]

Haverford is very small. And that’s saying something because Hamilton is small, too

[Anonymous]

Maybe deposit at both so you don't inadvertently pass the deadline?

[Anonymous]

Hamilton is more rigorous/nerdy, Haverford a little more well-rounded. Kid really didn't have a preference after visiting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hamilton is more rigorous/nerdy, Haverford a little more well-rounded. Kid really didn't have a preference after visiting?

interesting--I would've said the opposite!

[Anonymous]

They were both on my kid's list but both fell off for various reasons. Both great schools, but very different vibes:

Haverford is much smaller and more woke. Closer to home, closer to a nice-ish city (Philly) and benefits of cross enrollment with Swarthmore and Penn. Slightly downward trend of (great) reputation, in part due to protests and student strikes. Aspires to be Swarthmore but will never quite make it.

Hamilton is a little bit larger, relatively speaking, and a bit more remote. Greek life, love it or hate it. Upward trend of reputation, in part due to the musical. Aspires to be Amherst/Williams/Bowdoin but will never quite make it.

[Anonymous]

I was a government/political science major at Hamilton and, if your daughter is interested, the DC program is top-notch. The alumni network in this area is strong.

[Anonymous]

I would've said opposite too. both great options. Hamilton a bit more isolated but also a bit more of a 'hot' school these days if that matters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They were both on my kid's list but both fell off for various reasons. Both great schools, but very different vibes:

Haverford is much smaller and more woke. Closer to home, closer to a nice-ish city (Philly) and benefits of cross enrollment with Swarthmore and Penn. Slightly downward trend of (great) reputation, in part due to protests and student strikes. Aspires to be Swarthmore but will never quite make it.

Hamilton is a little bit larger, relatively speaking, and a bit more remote. Greek life, love it or hate it. Upward trend of reputation, in part due to the musical. Aspires to be Amherst/Williams/Bowdoin but will never quite make it.

Greek life at Hamilton is very small percent of students.

[Anonymous]

I applied to Hamilton but went to Colgate instead. I wanted to go somewhere remote because I knew I probably wouldn’t live somewhere like that after college and wanted a totally different experience having grown up right outside DC. Haverford would not provide that, so it’s a pretty significant difference.

[Anonymous]

I think it comes down to culture. Both very strong academically. Hamilton seems to have more of a preppy New England sporty element but also a bit of a creative/literary element. Haverford seems better for STEM and perhaps a bit more intensely studious overall. My impression is that you will find more introverted intellectual kids at Haverford but it also has its contingent of athletes who are probably similar to Hamilton athletes. More SJW stuff seems to be going on at Haverford and the honor code is a cultural feature that could be problematic for some

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hamilton is more rigorous/nerdy, Haverford a little more well-rounded. Kid really didn't have a preference after visiting?

interesting--I would've said the opposite!

I would also have said the opposite

[Anonymous]

Op-thx for the comments. do you see them as equally "prestigious"?