Grove City vs. Hampden-Sydney?

[PaleoConPrep]

If these end up being my 2 choices, which one should I choose? I like both, but they're obviously very different. HSC is all-male, preppy, and politically conservative/libertarian. However, its biggest con is that it has a huge drinking culture, and with that comes other immorality. Ive heard it has an excellent alumni network in the South. Grove City is co-ed, politically conservative(libertarian fiscally), MUCH more socially conservative(with a strong Christian culture), and has strong academics. I hear it has a good alumni network( but its probably not as strong as HSCs) Grove City is full of conservative, upper-middle class Protestants.( exactly what I'm looking for) HSCs student body is wealthy, but only nominally Protestant.( and I hear that it's becoming less socially conservative, and more libertarian) I'll probably like Grove City's culture more, but HSC seems to have a stronger alumni network, and might be a bit more well known. Does the alumni network make that much of a difference? Could I get into top law/PhD schools from either? Can a non-drinker survive at a school that's known for heavy drinking?

[Anonymous]

I agree that it sounds like Grove City culture is a better alignment for you. I also agree HSC alum network is stronger. How do you feel about the location of each? If I were you I would choose Grove city, I think you would in there much better and build stronger relationships with more people. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about HSC, but Grove City was a popular choice for "smart" kids from my high school in upstate NY. I had a number of friends who went there. The folks I knew had a nice time in college, coming out a bit more conservative and a bit more religious than they went in. None went on to a top tier law school or PhD program, but a few got into regional law schools. It's a good choice if you want to be a working professional (i.e. Accountant, insurance agent, HR professional) in a small, northeastern city. Most of the women are now SAHMs. A little provincial, but nothing wrong with that kind of life. They mostly seem happy.

[Anonymous]

sweetie, you aren't going to get into a top tier law school unless you figure out how to be a better student than you have managed to be thus far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sweetie, you aren't going to get into a top tier law school unless you figure out how to be a better student than you have managed to be thus far.

PaleoCon here
That's obvious. You don't need to tell me that.

[Anonymous]

Flip a coin and let destiny decide.

[Anonymous]

I grew up near Grove City. Just want to let you know that it is not full of upper-middle-class conservatives. Conservatives, yes. Some are professionals, people who work at GCC or Slippery Rock U, or a local hospital. But the vast majority are high school educated lower to middle class people. Nice people, but not upper-middle-class conservative. This is a very rural area, in the middle of nowhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up near Grove City. Just want to let you know that it is not full of upper-middle-class conservatives. Conservatives, yes. Some are professionals, people who work at GCC or Slippery Rock U, or a local hospital. But the vast majority are high school educated lower to middle class people. Nice people, but not upper-middle-class conservative. This is a very rural area, in the middle of nowhere.

PaleoCon here
I was saying that the college is full of conservative UMC Protestants. (not the town)

[Anonymous]

Go visit when you get accepted. Make your decision that way. Also, where are your parents? Aren't they involved?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go visit when you get accepted. Make your decision that way. Also, where are your parents? Aren't they involved?

PaleoCon here
Yes, my parents and college counselor are involved. I post here for extra opinions

[Anonymous]

I taught at HSC for a year a while back. It's a complicated place. The students are politically conservative, and the school offers a pretty cosseted academic experience in most fields, with a very traditional approach to curricula. Your sense that the social environment runs counter to that--with a heavy drinking culture--is pretty spot-on. My students did feel like HSC set them up for success, mostly because of the school's strong alumni/legacy network. But we're not not really talking about the American elites--more like the regional (Southern) and community business leader types. Think car dealership owners rather than hedge-fund managers.

[Anonymous]

I think we should applaud the initiative PaleoCon shows. After all the whining posts about privileged kids who can't be bothered to look at colleges, fill out the common app, write their essays and the associated parental hand wringing... if the kid was looking at liberal colleges everyone would be applauding his 'initiative' on the college search process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we should applaud the initiative PaleoCon shows. After all the whining posts about privileged kids who can't be bothered to look at colleges, fill out the common app, write their essays and the associated parental hand wringing... if the kid was looking at liberal colleges everyone would be applauding his 'initiative' on the college search process.

+1 and he's looking at realistic schools for his stats. As others have told you, you will find your group at whatever school you go to. I went to a big ten school that always shows up on the list of "best party schools" but I'm not a drinker. I found my people and you will too wherever you end up. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sweetie, you aren't going to get into a top tier law school unless you figure out how to be a better student than you have managed to be thus far.

PaleoCon here
That's obvious. You don't need to tell me that.

But you've been posting for a long time -- long enough that we should be reading something about "how do I sell myself when my grades really improved junior year but I have a fairly low GPA?"

We aren't reading that. Past is prologue, dear. Why do you think you will change in the future if you can't seem to do it right now?

[Anonymous]

I went to school not far from Grove City. It's a nice small town. A girl I went to HS with graduated from GCC in law. It served her well.

Tuition and fees-wise, GCC is much lower.