Hampshire College
Reviews

Financial Aid Staff Is Kind & Dedicated

Hampshire college has a tiny, TINY endowment. Our new president is working very hard to increase it, but the fact of the matter is that the endowment for Smith College's botanical garden is larger than the endowment for our entire college. With this in mind, know that Hampshire pours almost ALL of its money into giving students financial aid. Although we have limited resources, Hampshire is dedicated to making sure it brings in kids of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and supports them. It is a very expensive school if you don't have aid, but for many students, Hampshire makes it cheaper to attend here than at a state school. They try really, really hard.

Brutalist Style Architecture

Hampshire has a BEAUTIFUL location, but we suffer no delusions about our facilities. The surrounding mountains and landscape make the school aesthetically pleasing, but our buildings do not. The 70's architecture is unfortunate, and many of the buildings are designed in peculiarly counterintuitive ways (especially the library). We don't really have a student center, although we may have one by next year.

Not So Great

Racially, there is not a ton of diversity. Hampshire does have a large international student community, making up around 11% of the student body. The school also has a lot of diversity in economic backgrounds as well as personal identities.

Thank You Hampshire College

The opinion of most need-based aid receivers like myself, is that Hampshire financial aid is fantastic. Most students complaining about it, don't actually need it. It costs me the same to go to Hampshire as it would to go to a State University back home. Work study jobs are easy to come by. When I graduate I will be less than $20,000 in debt, after four years at a $53,000 school. Thank you Hampshire College.

A+ for Straight Women/Lesbians/Gay Men, F for Straight Men :\

The ladies of Hampshire College are underrated. From hipsters to hippies to punks, they tend to have a great sense of style and natural beauty. However, with such a wide selection of lovely and available women, the small percentage of straight men on campus are tools. Why? Because they CAN be. Of course there are exceptions to this rule. Sadly, these exceptions tend to be taken. Hampshire women often hookup with guys who are way beneath them, which gives a lot of losers an inflated sense of hotness. It is truly tragic. However, queers tend to do well in the romance department, because there are a lot of hot lesbians and gays. That said, most people--regardless of sexual orientation--just want to hit it and quit it.

Shows, Bonfires, and Dancing

On the weekends there are usually one, two or all three of what is listed above to attend.

I Feel Completely Safe on Hampshire Campus.

Hampshire has trained public safety and highly qualified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) always on call. The students are all here for the same reasons, to learn and to enjoy the experience of college. There are rarely ever fights or thefts on campus and if there is, it is usually people that do not attend Hampshire. I have never felt scared or unsafe on Hampshire's campus.

Housing Policy

Hampshire College has a great housing policy. There are two dormitory buildings available for first year students to live in. Each of these dormitory buildings has free laundry and is only a two minute walk from the dining commons. The rooms are 90% single rooms, each with a huge 4' by 4' window. All the hallways are co-ed, unless you request a single gender hall. The rooms are extremely spacious and come furnished with a desk, dresser, chair, and closet. The social atmosphere is great. Each hallway has a lounge which is equipped with two couches, a television with cable, a full sized fridge, an oven, and a sink. In addition every lounge has a balcony large enough to put the sofas outside - which is very popular in the fall and the spring when the weather at Hampshire is beautiful. If you do not want to live in the dormitories there are three other housing communities on Hampshire; Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott. Each has their own architectural style. Greenwich is near Hampshires farm and close to the soccer fields. Prescott is home to the Tavern, a lounge and music space on campus. And Enfield has the community health collaborative where you can get free chair messages. It also has mixed nuts, Hampshire longest running student business on campus, a store where you can purchase eggs, milk, and other products for your kitchen.

Campus Strictness

Hampshire College is amazingly tolerant of their students. They understand that Hampshire students are individual and self motivated and for that reason almost all of the buildings are left open at night and students are encouraged to organize activities on their own. If a cop were to see someone drinking they would simply as them to pour their drink out. The same policy goes for smoking cigarettes or marijuana. Marijuana is decriminalized in the state of Massachusetts so therefore the police cannot get you in trouble for it beyond a small fine. The campus is extremely safe despite the relaxed environment. Public safety officers are always around if any student needs assistance. So are the student trained Emergency Medical Team, who will immediately respond to any students need.

Greek Life

Hampshire College does not have greek life. Instead they have upper class students living in "mods" which are apartment style housing communities. Each one has its own name; Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott. Each apartment community has its own distinct architectural style of either rural, urban, or suburban. Each of these housing communities has their own themed parties and events, so you get the benefits of the greek life party, without the exclusivity. At Hampshire, everyone is invited to all the parties

There are six residence halls in...

There are six residence halls in the Dakin dormitory, each with four floors. These residence halls are connected by bathrooms on each floor. There is a game room and a laundry room in one of the basements of this building.

There are three mod neighborhoods:...

There are three mod neighborhoods: Enfield, Prescott, and Greenwich. Enfield is probably the most coveted and resembles townhouses. Prescott has a very urban feel, complete with balconies and outdoor, metal stairways. This is the only housing option without doubles. Greenwich is the oddball of the bunch. The buildings are called donuts or spaceships depending upon whom you ask. They are octagonal, resulting in eight mods per donut, each in a pie-slice shape. The dorms are called Merrill and Dakin, and most of the halls are co-ed. Most students start out in the dorms for at least their first semester.

Prescott is the best on-campus...

Prescott is the best on-campus apartment housing. Dakin is the best dorm. Greenwich is awful. Prescott is like city living, Dakin is the most social, and Greenwich is out in the woods and falling apart.

Hampshire has a unique curriculum....

Hampshire has a unique curriculum. It's interdisciplinary, which means you aren't tied down to one single subject. Check out www.hampshire.edu/academics/531.htm for more information. The teachers are good, and the workload is heavy.

Everyone is geeky!

There is nothing within walking...

There is nothing within walking distance at all from Hampshire College. There are some good restaurants within biking distance, and there's a free, good bus system. There are also good delivery services and a good variety of food offered.

There's ugly architecture here;...

There's ugly architecture here; otherwise, the facilities are alright.

Anyone can bring a car. The rules...

Anyone can bring a car. The rules are pretty good, but there isn't a lot of space—some people in some dorms have to park near others because there isn't space available near where they live.

Haha, yes, there's lots of weed.

The bus route goes just about...

The bus route goes just about everywhere you could want and is free for all Five College students. It is really easy to use.

Off-campus housing is the most...

Off-campus housing is the most difficult thing to try to get. Even though it will save you money, the amount of energy, effort, and trouble it is to try to get approval to live off-campus is not worth it.

There is a wide variety of...

There is a wide variety of students on campus. There are all sorts of genres and styles. There is a place for everyone.

I have never had a problem parking...

I have never had a problem parking on campus. I did not have a car freshman year, but friends of mine did, and it was not an issue. I have a car now, and it is easy and free to park.

Being in Massachusetts, most of my...

Being in Massachusetts, most of my time spent at school is in the snow. The fall and spring are great opportunities for hiking, biking, and doing a lot of outdoor activities. You should make sure to pack warm clothing but also boots or sneakers so you can go on the local trails. It is cold most of the year, though.

I'm not a huge party person, but...

I'm not a huge party person, but the parties I have been to on campus are always fun with a lot of dancing. Most parties have themes and are open to everyone. As for off-campus spots, the only place I have ever been is Diva's, a local club that has a college night. It is really great because you meet a lot of kids from the five other colleges.