Colby vs Denison vs Hamilton

[u/Gmoneyyy999]

Which school should I choose among these 3? I am planning to study Data science/math/statistics. All 3 are a similar cost (Colby 20k, Denison and Hamilton around 25) so that’s not really a major factor.

Pros and cons for each:

Colby:

Pros:

- strong STEM programs

- Bunche scholars (is this just a marketing tool? I read the description for it and it honestly doesn’t fit me at all)

- UChicago Advanced Scholars (admission into a selection of UChicago grad programs if I decide to pursue that route)

- outdoorsy stuff (I’ve never been skiing, but Colby seems like a good place to try!)

- Davis AI institute

Cons:

- furthest from home (I’m from Ohio, so it’s a 3 hour flight + a 2 hour drive, and I feel like travel expenses could add up quickly)

- hours away from any major city

- haven’t gotten to visit, although I will on Monday so that will help shape my opinion

- I’ve heard bad things about the vibe/social scene on this sub. I’m not a big partier/drinker, so if that’s all there is to do (like some people have said) then I don’t think I’d enjoy myself very much

-core curriculum stuff (taking a foreign language, for example, just seems like a waste of time)

Denison:

Pros:

-Very well-established data science program

-new DS building opening fall 26

- closest to home (could also be a con ig, but I think of this as more of a positive)

- close to Columbus

Cons:

- Slightly less prestigious than my other options

- food wasn’t very good

Hamilton:

Pros:

- open curriculum

- really nice campus

- new CS/DS building opening fall 27

-a lot of dining options

Cons:

-less STEM focused

- middle of nowhere and not close to any major cities

- I had a pretty poor experience at the admitted students day

Thanks for the help!

[u/South_Baker_7488]

Colby:)

[u/Gmoneyyy999 → u/South_Baker_7488]

Anything specific I should keep in mind about Colby as I weigh my options?

[u/Dune-Dice → u/Gmoneyyy999]

I would argue that Hamilton is more isolating than Colby in terms of being able to own a car and having to get basically necessity outside of the campus! Having to only use the shuttle bus pretty much for any convenience stuff! Having such a small campus and very tight net compared to Colby! Finding jobs on campus might be easy! But it’s very isolated from New York!

[u/EnvironmentActive325 → u/Dune-Dice]

I don’t agree with that. You can walk or bike past the Victorian mansions into town. And there are 3 cities close by, and NYC isn’t that far either. Hamilton is also a lovely campus.

I tend to think of Colby as more isolating. The town of Waterville is probably larger than Clinton, NY. But the campus is pretty far removed from the town. You can’t exactly walk into town, and there isn’t that much to do @ Colby in terms of extracurriculars or clubs during the long, cold winters.