Washington and Lee v Kenyon v Hamilton

[Anonymous]

When I toured Hamilton, everyone there seemed unfriendly. I much preferred Colgate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We toured Washington & Lee. In our child's assessment the 85% Greek membership and drinking culture was not acceptable. Very little diversity. It is difficult to get into, although after touring, I'm not quite sure why.

I'm not sure, either. What's the draw and how did they become so selective?

I really don't know. We put it on the tour list because it's the no. 1 SLAC in the south. We were doing UVA , Va Tech and VMI during the sweep. Nothing about it was appealing. Maybe because it was a hot and muggy day and few dorms at W & L have AC (turnoff for DC who had just spent a miserable summer in similar dorms at an Ivy). The tour officer was off-putting, going into great detail as to how difficult it was to get in ED1 and ED2 (this was two years ago, so maybe has changed). The buildings looked run-down. Lee's Memorial Chapel was pretty but I could see how minority students might find it uncomfortable there with Traveler's bones in the basement. DS wanted aerospace engineering so it was clear this was not going to be a good fit early on. The drinking culture starts thurs night and runs thru sunday night. I didn't like the fact that so much of the campus was Greek and it was expensive Greek. it was explained to me by someone who actually works there that this creates a "have" and "have nots" caste system on campus because even the minority /scholarship students can't afford to participate in the Greek life because it costs so much to join up. Even if they are full freight scholarship students, they can't afford the Greek fees. Also, the rents off-campus in the immediate down are ridiculously high because the owners know they can charge whatever they want and many are in unsafe condition. So students move even farther off campus Then we were told about the girl who had died flying through a car window when 11 kids were trying to get back to campus, drunk, after an off-campus party. that did it for us. Maybe legacies whose parents were really into Greek life want to go there. I don't see the magic at all.

+1 - advise you pass on this school.

[Anonymous]

We stopped for lunch in Lexington and all the confederate flags flying in town told us to skip the tour at W and L.
Preferred Colgate to Hamilton. Students are very involved and engaging.
Davidson is quaint and welcoming with the academic rigor. Can't beat the weather
Kenyon was in the top two by the end. You must go see it to decide since the location and small community are not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Which has the most cachet these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We toured Washington & Lee. In our child's assessment the 85% Greek membership and drinking culture was not acceptable. Very little diversity. It is difficult to get into, although after touring, I'm not quite sure why.

I'm not sure, either. What's the draw and how did they become so selective?

I really don't know. We put it on the tour list because it's the no. 1 SLAC in the south. We were doing UVA , Va Tech and VMI during the sweep. Nothing about it was appealing. Maybe because it was a hot and muggy day and few dorms at W & L have AC (turnoff for DC who had just spent a miserable summer in similar dorms at an Ivy). The tour officer was off-putting, going into great detail as to how difficult it was to get in ED1 and ED2 (this was two years ago, so maybe has changed). The buildings looked run-down. Lee's Memorial Chapel was pretty but I could see how minority students might find it uncomfortable there with Traveler's bones in the basement. DS wanted aerospace engineering so it was clear this was not going to be a good fit early on. The drinking culture starts thurs night and runs thru sunday night. I didn't like the fact that so much of the campus was Greek and it was expensive Greek. it was explained to me by someone who actually works there that this creates a "have" and "have nots" caste system on campus because even the minority /scholarship students can't afford to participate in the Greek life because it costs so much to join up. Even if they are full freight scholarship students, they can't afford the Greek fees. Also, the rents off-campus in the immediate down are ridiculously high because the owners know they can charge whatever they want and many are in unsafe condition. So students move even farther off campus Then we were told about the girl who had died flying through a car window when 11 kids were trying to get back to campus, drunk, after an off-campus party. that did it for us. Maybe legacies whose parents were really into Greek life want to go there. I don't see the magic at all.

+1 - advise you pass on this school.

Yikes. The pp's DC does not belong at W&L. #1 SLAC in the South that happens to cater to a certain student. Not a big deal, no need to shame the school.

[Anonymous]

Hamilton Alum here-Hamilton is a wonderful school with a great sense of community! The writing emphasis was fantastic like me who came from a school where there was little emphasis on writing. Hamilton joined the NESCAC about 5 years ago. As for students having a chip on their shoulder, I don't really believe that is true. Many apply ED.

Also W&L and Kenyon are good school as well.

[Anonymous]

We visited both Kenyon and Hamilton but not W&L because my DD wasn't into the Greek scene. We both loved Hamilton and it was almost her ED. She's a writer and they have great programs, as does Kenyon. She liked Kenyon in general but hated that the town was so small. In the end she chose Oberlin, which had an amazing creative writing and cinema program and was bigger (750 per class) and has a great little town that is right next to campus.

Enjoy the visits! I loved the process!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Compare and contrast, please. We got started on the college search process early. These are the top 3 choices for my rising senior.

Good luck to your DC on his/her decisions. Most people would consider June before senior year late to the game!

[Anonymous]

Which is the easiest to get into, especially if you are not going to need aid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Compare and contrast, please. We got started on the college search process early. These are the top 3 choices for my rising senior.

Good luck to your DC on his/her decisions. Most people would consider June before senior year late to the game!

Just stop it. If I want to hear mean girls, I'll watch the movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon and Hamilton both have really strong writing programs. W&L is very strong in econ; it's also probably the most right-wing of all the "prestigious" colleges in the country.

Lol.....W&L isn't prestigious.....it's fratty and southern and has an unremarkable academic reputation. Hamilton really surprised us with its lovely campus, serious but outgoing students, and what I perceived to be a good balance between academics and social life. Growing up in DC I had never even heard of Hamilton but was very familiar with the rest of the NESCAC schools....which is odd. Maybe they draw more from NY/NE but I was very impressed.

Sorry to disagree but facts are stubborn things. Per 2020 USNWR, W&L and Hamilton are top SLACs both ranked #9and Kenyon is very respectable at 28. The large endowment allows W&L to invest more in faculty and student financial aid. The Johnson Scholarship alone is a full ride for 10% of each class.

9. W&L ($1.68b endowment)
9. Hamilton ($969m endowment)
28. Kenyon ($422m endowment)

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kenyon and Hamilton both have really strong writing programs. W&L is very strong in econ; it's also probably the most right-wing of all the "prestigious" colleges in the country.

Lol.....W&L isn't prestigious.....it's fratty and southern and has an unremarkable academic reputation. Hamilton really surprised us with its lovely campus, serious but outgoing students, and what I perceived to be a good balance between academics and social life. Growing up in DC I had never even heard of Hamilton but was very familiar with the rest of the NESCAC schools....which is odd. Maybe they draw more from NY/NE but I was very impressed.

Sorry to disagree but facts are stubborn things. Per 2020 USNWR, W&L and Hamilton are top SLACs both ranked #9and Kenyon is very respectable at 28. The large endowment allows W&L to invest more in faculty and student financial aid. The Johnson Scholarship alone is a full ride for 10% of each class.

9. W&L ($1.68b endowment)
9. Hamilton ($969m endowment)
28. Kenyon ($422m endowment)

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges

Don’t apologize. The negative W&L posters on this thread are just stumbling around the real issue they have and won’t openly admit: W&L’s history and association with Robert E. Lee.

W&L is a fine school. It’s not for everyone. No school is.

[Anonymous]

Very odd to resurrect a three year old thread but regardless of the rankings, nobody views W&L as anything other than a middling regional LAC that caters to southern frat boys and woo girls.

[Anonymous]

W&L is an enclave of the very wealthy from all over the US. It’s not so easy to get in and Greek life very expensive. For the right person it’s a perfect fit. You would know if you were the right person. It’s kind of like being a celebrity if you have to ask ... both mine accepted, declined.

[Anonymous]

W&L doesn’t need to be “prestigious “ in the college ranking way. It’s meeting others who are sons and daughters of CEOs.