<p>I stand by my assertion. Hamilton has a much smaller distribution of students from outside the Northeast while the other schools have a much greater distribution from outside the Midwest. I think that by virtue of their location in the middle of the country, these schools draw on a wider geography.</p>
<p>Grinnell also has a much higher percentage of international students and of students receiving FA which adds considerably to the diversity.</p>
<p>Hamilton is a great school; I’m not knocking it. I am from the East Coast, btw, and am very familiar with the NESCAC schools. My eyes were really opened, though, by our visits to the Midwest and the schools there. It is a different vibe than on the East Coast. The unpretentious Midwest friendliness combined with the progressive campus cultures was simply unbeatable, in my opinion, at least for my son, who wanted a different environment than our high school and our local community. I am thrilled that my son is experiencing a different slice of America - and so is he. </p>
<p>I am not trying to say that Hamilton isn’t a friendly place; of course it is. I have some further thoughts on the differences between a NESCAC school with Greek life and a Midwestern school without, but I won’t go into that here and get off track. </p>
<p>I have no idea where my son will end up when he graduates, and neither does he. But Grinnellians form a fierce loyal network themselves and Grinnell office of Career Development is great and has been getting even stronger under the new President. The opportunities and funding for internships are considerable, and Grinnellians can be found everywhere! Moreover, the school brings alumni back to campus to teach short, one or two credit courses, so the students can learn about real-world opportunities and life from those who have come before them…</p>