Hampshire College Top Questions

To the students: Be selfish. Think only about what you want, and what will make you happy. Don't think about where your friend is going or where your mom went. Think about what kind of setting will make you happy for the next 2-4 years of your life. To parents: Let go. It's hard, I know. But it will be best for us students in the end to be left to our own devices in a place that has a support system already built-in. Let us fail in college first, not at life. When choosing a major, again, be selfish. The only time that I was ever unhappy at school so far was when I was doing things that I didn't love. This is the rest of your life we're talking about, here! If you love doing something, make it what you do. Don't go to business school because it will make you money. Don't settle for that. You know the saying "money can't buy happiness"? Now, do you remember the one that goes "If you are doing what you love, you'll never work a day in your life?" Truth.

make sure that the cost is not going to break you so that you can enjoy your education without the stress of financial burdens. talk to the students and teachers on the campus, walk around, sit in the cafe's where students hang out, get a feel for the place. check the course listings and see how many of the classes look interesting to you. make sure that the surrounding area is stimulating and pleasing to you, it's hard to enjoy a school if the setting is dull or makes you feel anxious or depressed.

Go with your gut, not what people tell you.

Be enthusiastic about the process. Consider taking time off - college is wonderful if you are open, willing and prepared for it. The experience that you will have is the one that you make. Remember that education is an amazing privalege. Be open and honest and remember to take the time to be friendly to everyone. Be aware of what is going on at school, get ivolved with campus sustainability and the farm program (if you have one). Make music, learn about what you love, love what you learn about. Keep in touch with your family. Appreciate your family. Be true to yourself.

Your advisor may seem insignificant but they can make or break the academic program you are trying to give your self. If you are assigned to someone who is difficult to work with, unapproachable or doesn't seem to understand your needs or desires, don't feel abashed about switching.

Any college can provide a rich academic experience if you are truly committed to materializing it. If such is the case, and receiving an education is your undivided objective, the best thing you can do in your situation is find a school that is affordable for you, and one with reputable faculty in your fields of interest. For you other 98{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of applicants... The truth is that the movies are correct in their portrayals. Most colleges are operationally designed to be four-year summer camps at which to live out your protracted adolescence. Yes, you might read Edward Said's essay on Orientalism, learn about Game Theory, take up the mandolin, or any other such mind-expanding undertaking. But if you are the type to enjoy Orson Welles films or Marcel Proust novels, chances are you will have done so already, or would do so sans college education. So, don't spend more money on your education than the opportunities it will provide (ie the reputation of the school) are worth, and make sure you're going to a school in a place you'll appreciate, because you're going to be living there for the next four years, plus.

Do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. Don't be afraid to talk to students who are not part of the admissions crew and really make sure you get the bare truth. You really don't want to end up some place you hate JUST because it was the first place you picked or because it was the school that gave you the most money. Have fun and learn a lot! <3

I would advise students to search through the course catalog at the college they are looking at. Be sure that the courses the school offers will match your needs. Also consider the financial aid the school offers and the increase in tuition each year. Finally, carefully look at the facilities the school offers, including dorms, computer labs, library, etc.

KNow what you want to study, and take classes off campus, also drugs and partys are nice but dont get to distracted.

Follow your passions and don't give up on the place you really want to go to. Also: your first choice might not actually be the best place for you, really look into the off-beat places that people recommend to you. If I hadn't taken advice from a close friend, I would have never found Hampshire College. Plus: first impressions are NOT everything. Talk to students, and not just your tour guide. Ask questions OTHER THAN "Is the food good?" (Your kid WILL find SOMETHING to eat) And... walk around the campus without a tour guide too, you can get a good feel of things without someone blabbing in your general direction. Statistics Are NOT everything. Good luck!