Hamilton or Wesleyan?

[Anonymous]

Angels dancing on the head of a pin at this level. Go for fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan is still considered more prestigious, that doesn’t mean that schools like Hamilton and Colgate are also very good.

Both are fine schools, but neither is prestigious in my opinion.

Among LACs, prestige is limited to a very few schools--and neither Wesleyan nor Hamilton are among those few schools.

Decades ago, Wesleyan was regarded as prestigious, but not now.

[Anonymous]

To OP: Why do you ask ?

What are you or your student seeking/expecting in a college.

Without a specific major or a specific career in mind, then selecting a college--especially an LAC--is really about fit, about finding happiness for four years.

[Anonymous]

Prestigious LACs are Williams College, Amherst College, and Middlebury College. And the service academies.

I am not suggesting that other LACs are not great schools as they are if the school is a strong fit for the student.

If unhappy at an LAC, then the campus culture often is the reason; if unhappy at a large school, it is often the student's fault because there are a high number of opportunities and options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan is still considered more prestigious, that doesn’t mean that schools like Hamilton and Colgate are also very good.

Both are fine schools, but neither is prestigious in my opinion.

Among LACs, prestige is limited to a very few schools--and neither Wesleyan nor Hamilton are among those few schools.

Decades ago, Wesleyan was regarded as prestigious, but not now.

You are wrong, but obviously do not “get” those who prefer a liberal arts education.

[Anonymous]

Friend’s DC was disappointed and transferred out of Hamilton after his freshman year. He said it felt a lot like being in the boarding school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan is still considered more prestigious, that doesn’t mean that schools like Hamilton and Colgate are also very good.

Both are fine schools, but neither is prestigious in my opinion.

Among LACs, prestige is limited to a very few schools--and neither Wesleyan nor Hamilton are among those few schools.

Decades ago, Wesleyan was regarded as prestigious, but not now.

You are wrong, but obviously do not “get” those who prefer a liberal arts education.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on everything that you wrote. I do understand, but that was not the issue; the issue was prestige.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friend’s DC was disappointed and transferred out of Hamilton after his freshman year. He said it felt a lot like being in the boarding school.

Pretty common sentiment among boarding school students who enter or visit LACs.

Can be a great experience for those who have not had the boarding school experience and can tolerate a small environment for the first four years of young adulthood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friend’s DC was disappointed and transferred out of Hamilton after his freshman year. He said it felt a lot like being in the boarding school.

Totally my DCs experience as well - also had trouble getting into some other schools he hoped although although his grades were excellent at Ham

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan is still considered more prestigious, that doesn’t mean that schools like Hamilton and Colgate are also very good.

Both are fine schools, but neither is prestigious in my opinion.

Among LACs, prestige is limited to a very few schools--and neither Wesleyan nor Hamilton are among those few schools.

Decades ago, Wesleyan was regarded as prestigious, but not now.

You are wrong, but obviously do not “get” those who prefer a liberal arts education.

+1 - dead wrong on this concocted 'prestige list'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prestigious LACs are Williams College, Amherst College, and Middlebury College. And the service academies.

I am not suggesting that other LACs are not great schools as they are if the school is a strong fit for the student.

If unhappy at an LAC, then the campus culture often is the reason; if unhappy at a large school, it is often the student's fault because there are a high number of opportunities and options.

Are you a Middlebury alum?

[Anonymous]

Wesleyan still way more prestigious and famous nationwide. I can’t name 1 famous Hamilton alumni (Peter Falk?) while Wesleyan has dozens.
So sad Ham claims Tony Goldwyn, who left after 1 year….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan still way more prestigious and famous nationwide. I can’t name 1 famous Hamilton alumni (Peter Falk?) while Wesleyan has dozens.
So sad Ham claims Tony Goldwyn, who left after 1 year….

5 years ago I would have agreed. Hamilton has a lot of money so it can offer better aid which may make it more attractive to different kids. While not necessarily "famous", David Solomon of Goldman Sachs is an Alum. Wes has more artist alums like Lin-Manuel Miranda. However Wes has had a "more" national rep for longer so may have prestigious alums. That said Ham was always considered good in the tri-state area.

[Anonymous]

I am amused by the NYE revival of this thread.

[Anonymous]

I have a student (NARP) at Wes and have been pleased with what I’ve seen. He’s not there for the arts, just wanted a regular LAC experience. Middletown is a clean, walkable, and safe downtown with plenty of restaurants and to a lesser degree, shopping. This was a big selling point compared to other LACs that are in the middle of nowhere. He won’t be there for the opening of the new science center, but they are making a big push in their STEM program. People have mentioned the flexible curriculum and they also have an engineering option with partner schools that I liked in the event DS decided to go into engineering.

Based on talks/interviews on TV I’ve heard from the president of the school, my impression is that he’s trying to steer the school away from the super far left reputation Wes has/had to something that appeals to a broader audience.

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the NE LACs, so figure out what’s important to your kid and go with that. Prestige is in the eye of the beholder and can change with time.