<p>Bassdad,
There’s clearly more to the Hogwarts “story” than I realized. I look forward to learning more about it in the future. I thank you for your illuminating comments.</p>
<p>doddsdad,
Does HW have a Study Abroad program? A friend’s DD is interested in pursuing a linguists major, possibly specializing in elvish. Options in the States are, as you know, as quite limited.</p>
<p>Ohiomom,
Regarding Study Abroad programs, I confess I dont know what Hogwarts offers or whether they offer anything. My impression was that the students attitude might resemble some of the uberschools, i.e., Youre here! Why would you want to go anywhere else? Balancing that, the students seem to have traveled widely, often to places off the tourist map. Graduates get jobs all around the world, so the Career Placement office must be strong. </p>
<p>Im far from an expert on linguistics programs, but I think you may want to investigate Oxford University. They had a Professor Tolkien there for years, I think in Pembroke College, but I could be wrong. He wrote the definitive works on Elvish linguistics. He died many years ago, but I would hope they have an endowed chair or something in his name to continue his work. Carolyn might know, although her expertise on college programs may not extend to UK schools. </p>
<p>Your question about Elvish linguistics touches on a darker side of HW. With help from BassDad and some additional research, Ive learned that there is considerable turmoil at HW about URMs. Actually, it has less to do with under-representation than with being represented at all. It appears that there are strong forces among many alumni and students who violently oppose the inclusion of some minority groups. This is a sad and scary situation and there are even rumors of government support for these segregationist practices. BassDad is probably right about this conflict being the source of the tension among the students. However, the HW admin and most faculty strongly support the admission of URMs and I believe thats true for most of the students. As BassDad hinted, Professor Dumbledore is a powerful advocate for the fringe groups in society, and a formidable adversary of the groups arrayed against him and the principles he represents. Ironically, the Slytherin students are in the minority on this issue at HW. They are the primary proponents (and beneficiaries) of what mini refers to as the AA that emphasizes legacies and bloodlines. I think its still going to take a few years to resolve all of this, but it is a battle worth fighting.</p>
<p>On the issue of Study Abroad, I do believe that HW belongs to an athletic league which spans several countries and gets together regularly for several types of competitions. Something called the “tri-Wizards”??–some sort of tournament. Not sure if it’s athletic or a Quiz Bowl kind of thing. At any rate, I bet you could arrange a study abroad at another school in that league.</p>
<p>To find which other schools are in the Tri-Wizards League, please consult the following Guide to Hogwarts Wannabees: Academies that Will Change Their Lives (Internet: College Confidential, 2005).</p>
<p>Here is a blurb:</p>
<p>What college most closely resembles Hogwarts? Started in College Search & Selection by jaimie17 on 04-17-2005
Does anyone know of any colleges or universities that have that beautiful old architecture (perhaps with secret passageways and fireplaces) or big old dining rooms with long tables?</p>
<p>Marite,
So this is what you meant by a crosslink! Well, I may be slow, but…well I’m just slow…</p>
<p>even slower…um…I meant cross post. At least, that’s what I hope I meant.</p>
<p>Study abroad frequently consists of placing individual students in co-operative assignments or on Hogwarts faculty-led excursions. There are a small number of exchange students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, the other TWL members, but none that I know of have transferred permanently.</p>
<p>doddsdad, did you hear about any kind of collegetown?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>There are a lot of bars, some quite disreputable in the nearby town. I think there may also be some underage drinking and experimenting with inappropriate drugs or potions. Beware!!!</p>
<p>I have heard that also, and would be quite concerned if my DS went clubbing.</p>
<p>I thought the only kinds of clubs allowed at Hogwarts were of the wooden kind?</p>
<p>At Hogwarts, I’m certain only ■■■■■■ go clubbing. I’m less sure whether students go ■■■■■■■■ in clubs.</p>
<p>cool thread… :)</p>
<p>Funkyspoon,
In answer to your original question, the students talked about a nearby village called Hogsmeade. I kept an eye out for it, but I never actually saw the village during our visit. The students are only allowed a few visits each school year, so going there is a big deal to them. (Remember, theyre so isolated that they get excited about a sport using brooms and balls.) The students were especially excited about a place called Honeydukes, and oddly, some students enjoy a visit to the post office! That sounds innocent enough, but they also partake in the butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, which must be their version of a sports bar. The freshman and sophomore students are not allowed to go to Hogsmeade, so that implies some activities or temptations that are inappropriate for younger students. Even the older students are required to obtain parent permission to visit! Can you imagine the pressure students put on their parents to give them permission? I can hear it now, I cant be the only student without permission to visit Hogsmeade!</p>
<p>You’ve touched on diversity issues, and the social life. But, are there research opportunities? Would this school help a student get into I-banking? I’m not sure it’s that prestigious, because not that many people in Asia seem to have heard of it.</p>
<p>(Otherwise, fabulous review!)</p>
<p>I have to disagree with Sac. Hogwarts Academy is well known in Asia, even though there is a tendency to confuse its cafeteria with Harvard’s Annenberg freshman dining hall. Harry Potter’s uncanny resemblance to anime characters may have something to do with Hogwarts’ popularity, convincing Asian students that they can find their niche at Hogwarts. Or perhaps, its just the awful similarity of their name: Harvard-Hogwarts, all same same.</p>
<p>Sac,
Im relieved Marite had information regarding the reputation of HW in Asia. Despite my fondness for several varieties of Asian cuisine, I cant claim any expertise about the continent, the cultures, or educational preferences. (Your comment also reminds me to keep my perspective. Its important to us, but no matter where my S ends up going to school, at least one billion Chinese people wont give a damn.) Regarding your other questions, I may have some insight, although it is based largely on anecdotal information, not data. If HW produces the comprehensive catalogs and pamphlets were accustomed to seeing on American campuses, we didnt find them. </p>
<p>Your question of research opportunities is important, but I dont think that it means the same thing at HW as it may at a school like Denison. I saw no evidence that HW is a publish-or-perish institution. The clear mission of the professors is to provide an education to the students. Even though HW is not a trade school, most classes and instruction seem to be experiential and hands-on. The students dread the non-applied classes, such as history. To supplement the classroom, the professors offer individual tutorials to extend skills learned and knowledge gained in classroom lessons. Perhaps this was modeled after Oxford University tutorials. In addition, exceptional students are allowed to take extra classes in order to double major. Their regular schedules are very tight, but the best students seem to find the time somewhere. Of course, there is also the usual interdepartmental conflict with every professor believing his or her subject is the most important. The workload keeps the students quite busy. Yet, Hogwarts: Where fun goes to die just doesnt seem to ring true for me. </p>
<p>Ill add that Professor Dumbledore expects students to be curious, and he allows them considerable room for exploration and experimentation in areas that interest them. His expectations may be akin to the description by the Oberlin professor I met, i.e., students are discovering who they are and the process can be intense, and sometimes be painful to watch. This process of self-discovery may not be considered research opportunities, by some of us, but it would certainly be valuable life experience. </p>
<p>Regarding I-banking. HW seems to place their graduates in a variety of career fields. One of the Gryffindor students, Ron, must have a large family. He mentioned that he has a brother conducting field research in Romania, another brother working for the government, and his oldest brother is currently working in Egypt for Gringotts, an international banking firm. All of them are HW grads. However, HW is not everything for everyone. Ron also mentioned he had two brothers who recently left school to pursue business interests. In short, it appears that HW doesnt offer guarantees, but it does offer opportunities.</p>
<p>Thanks. It’s obvious you formed a very good impression of this school. You must be so proud that your child was invited to apply. Given the state of the facilities you describe and the rather small alumni-base, I hope their endowment is sufficient to allow them to offer good merit aid.</p>
<p>Best of luck in the admission’s process! It can be frightening, even for the best of students.</p>
<p>Thank you Sac. As Curmudgeon might say, I seem to have unintentionally become a shill for Hogwarts. I guess I fell under it’s spell.</p>