Chiran

Hey guys!

I was accepted to both with pretty much the same aid package. Any ideas on which is better?

Thanks!

Sunny Down Snuff

Very difficult to answer...in terms of education and reputation these schools have more similarities than differences. Colby is the pick if you are an outdoorsy sort; Hamilton might have the edge if you're more of an urbanista due to the high number of students from the NY metro area. Both are outstanding schools.

Winter can be long and arduous at either, however, Colby has snow sooner and longer.

In terms of "name" and "prestige" -- not reasons to pick a school -- Hamilton has a slight edge. Hamilton is also known for bringing celebrity speakers to campus. Again, not a reason to pick a school, it merely reflects Hamilton's slightly higher profile and the fact that its location is not as remote as Colby's. If you look forward to spending time in New York City, Hamilton is your choice. Colby is equally close to Boston.

Back to prestige, the gap is virtually non-existent. Colby, for example, is part of a new research consortium to share resources called the NExpress, comprising Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, Northeastern, Wellesley, and Williams.

Hamilton also has a greek tradition -- long gone from Colby. Athletics, both compete in the NESCAC. Both campuses take hockey quite seriously. Colby has a top-caliber ski team, and top caliber a capella groups -- in other words, plenty of diverse interests at Colby. Hamilton too, for that matter.

Which appeals to you more...a seat in a coffee house, or a seat in a kayak? Don't misunderstand -- you'll find both at Colby and Hamilton, but the fact is the kayaker will prefer Colby and the conversationalist will prefer Hamilton.

Campus housing and foodservice are both top-notch. If you prefer a closer-knit, smaller campus, score one for Colby. If you are a creative writer sort, give the edge to Hamilton. Bio? Colby. Banking? Hamilton. These are both schools for intelligent students who embrace critical thinking. Congratulations for being accepted by two outstanding schools!

Confused77

Thank you so much for the info!!! I have the same problem...but I am planning to major in biology and I am the coffee house type. So both schools seem good...which one do I choose?!

Chiran

Thanks Sunny Down Snuff...

sailfish

If your biology major includes a possible interest in medical school there's a new early admissions program to Tufts Medical School available to sophomores at Maine colleges including Colby. It is described on the Tufts website.

HopeImAccepted

Wow SunnyDownSnuff, that was a good description of the differences. Think you can help me with Kenyon vs. Colby?? haha

cadence76

As a long ago Kenyon alum, who recently brought D to Colby for Accepted Students Open House, I can tell you that the "vibe" is similar at both, but Kenyon has more of a bohemian-prep edge, and Colby ever so slightly more traditional. Barely. Both gorgeous campuses, wonderful variety of courses, very friendly students, great commitment to the arts, nice facilities. Kenyon still has a greek life, but it wasn't a problem for non-greeks a bazillion years ago and I hear it still isn't. Colby, believe it or not, has more civilization around it, but neither one can brag about that! Kenyon has fabulous writing. I'm loyal to Kenyon, no question, but I have to say we LOVED Colby! And Colby has COOT and terrific off-campus study, if those matter to you. I think you may just have to decide if you want to be in the middle of nowhere Ohio, or the middle of nowhere Maine! One thing--drive a couple of hours from Colby and you're in Boston. Drive a couple of hours from Kenyon and you're in.... Cleveland.

HopeImAccepted

Yeah, thats the thing I'm totally a Maine person. Everyone's like "oh .. thats cold.." SO WHAT? I'm ready for an adventure. The thing is, Kenyon offered me a Newman's Own Scholarship; in total, I'd be paying under 4 grand to go there. Colby offered me generous aid, but I'd still be paying around 9 to go there. I actually called them up, and they told me to send them a copy of what Kenyon's offering and I think they might match it. The only downside is that those are simply grants; in this economy, tuition and financial aid are changing each year and I don't want to be stuck in a bad situation before I graduate. Kenyon's is an academic scholarship and they're guaranteed to maintain it as long as I maintain a 3.0

:/ hard decisions. Kenyon probably has a stronger philosophy department right? they're known for amazing humanities. I'm just wondering, I don't even think I'm majoring in that, it's just a big interest of mine

cadence76

I don't feel like I can comment on the relative merits of the departments these days--my info is too out of date at Kenyon. I'd say keep working on the financial aid thing at Colby if that's the one you think you prefer. You're not going to go wrong at either one--they're both fabulous schools, and one of the things they have in common is that their students LOVE them and are usually very happy--how great is that?!

Sunny Down Snuff

much shorter answer here...echoing the comment immed. above, can do no wrong Colby v. Kenyon. Excellent opportunities, you should be proud of your achievement. Consider the Maine vs. Ohio thing; Kenyon will have generally milder weather IF that is important to you.

cadence76

Gotta say, re the above, mucho years ago at Kenyon I saw more snow and felt colder weather than any other time in my life (70 below zero with wind chill, I kid you not--eyelashes freezing shut when you blink on Middle Path). I hear things are milder these days--one more recent grad said more rain than snow in a Gambier winter, but I don't know! And the spring at Kenyon is unbelievably beautiful. One thought--does being near the ocean mean anything for you? It's only a little more than an hour from Colby!

HopeImAccepted

Yeah.. you know I finally realize what I've been feeling. I feel like I'm supposed to go to Kenyon, and that it's the right choice, but I'd rather go to Colby. It's weird.

clgaynor

just curious, where did you end up??