<p>The social scene at Hillsdale has always needed work, and probably always will. But over all it’s pretty amazing.</p>
<p>Over the past few years, construction on campus has made hanging out on campus more attractive. I don’t know how well the first one went (or if they’ll do it again), but there’s even social events on campus now where alcohol is served to those of age:</p>
<p>[College</a> hosts first on-campus 21+ Charger Bar - News](<a href=“http://media.www.hillsdalecollegian.com/media/storage/paper1270/news/2009/11/12/News/College.Hosts.First.OnCampus.21.Charger.Bar-3830249.shtml]College”>http://media.www.hillsdalecollegian.com/media/storage/paper1270/news/2009/11/12/News/College.Hosts.First.OnCampus.21.Charger.Bar-3830249.shtml)</p>
<p>Anyways, there are a lot more college-sponsored events these days and I hear they’re great.</p>
<p>The mens’ Greek system has held steady at ~20% for the past decade, and though it’s holding its numbers up the re-founding of the Delta Tau Delta chapter has played a pretty significant role in this, and they don’t even have a chapter house (yet?). W&L definitely has a more vibrant Greek scene, and party scene overall. I don’t think that really works for or against Hillsdale; it’s up to your son. In my opinion, I may have wasted far too much of my Hillsdale experience passed out on various floors and couches, but somewhere in there I got a decent enough education to regret it (as opposed to my friends from Western Michigan who hate their jobs and live every weekend pretending they’re still there). Take that for what it’s worth.</p>
<p>Re law school: I was the same stinking way. Ugh. How does a teenage kid even think he MIGHT want to be an attorney? Television. It’s gotta be. Wherever your son ends up going, urge him to major in a nontraditional law-school feeder. Poli Sci, History, etc. are fine majors, but better serve as minors to something useful like accounting, finance, or a hard science. Urge him to explore every avenue he can-- tunnel vision is a killer. Law school is too often a ridiculous investment that shoulders kids with massive debt for a career that is nothing like they envisioned. “You can do so much with a law degree.” No, you can’t. “Lawyers make a lot of money.” Some do. Many don’t. The only thing more doctored than the employment stats of most colleges is the employment stats of EVERY law school. </p>
<p>You can, however, do so much with a good college education and a work ethic as opposed to wasting three more years in school racking up $100K more debt. </p>
<p>But I digress.</p>
<p>Your son should visit both schools for an overnight visit and see what’s what. The 'Dale is not for everyone, but in the end he’ll make quality lifelong friends. Who aren’t UVA rejects (ooooh!)</p>