Students Speak Out On Overall Experience

“I have very ambivalent emotions about Hampshire College. Sometimes i love it, and sometimes i love hating it. I have often wished to be some place else because of the numerous problems of a school trying to be unconventional in unconventional ways. But then I realize, too, that there is a lot to love about Hampshire. I don't know of a conventional school where the students take their class discussions to the dining hall to debate the issues with their friends from all sorts of other fields in order to get a deeper and clearer understanding of what they are learning. I don't know of a conventional institution where sexuality is so demystified that there are unisex restrooms everywhere and an overall respect for sexuality and sexual orientation. I don't know of a conventional institution where you address your professors by their first names, not because you consider yourself their peers, but because you share a mutual interest and respect for what each one brings to the learning table.”

“I love Hampshire and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It really was one of the best decisions I've made. There are so many resources, so much freedom, constant conversation, people are critical and conscious, and you learn lots every day. The wide variety of people that come and the many support groups and interest groups around you teach you as much as your classes do. You get really involved, and I love that about the place. Plus, you design your own concentrations, take the classes you want, work with advisors, do independent studies, and take classes at all the Five Colleges. There's just so much to learn, and Hampshire teaches you in the best way possible: by immersing you into everything you do. Plus, since I'm not much of a grades person, evaluations work well for me. I also find I'm much better prepared to tackle the occasional exam at the other colleges, and find it much easier because of the rigorous paper–writing Hampshire prepares you for.”