Hampden-Sydney College

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  Feb 15, 2011 9:47 PM GMT

  So I applied to H-SC and will most likely be accepted, but I'm concerned about the fact that the school is ranked as one of the least gay-friendly schools in the country.
  The student body is comprised of southern men from old money with WASP descent. They are an unbreakable brotherhood, and live the rest of their lives under an honor code and systems of behavioral etiquette. They are Lacoste-wearing preps; which I am not, and most all play sports.
  It is also a known fact that H-SC boys only date the hottest girls from the neighboring schools and drink barrels, all while receiving a top-notch education.
  
  Now, socially I am in the right league, but I am not at all preppy; I wear an odd combination of Hot Topic, J.Ferrar, Hollister, and Journeys apparel.
  Im not an athlete, and I would be majoring in Fine Arts.
  I would also be living in the same room with someone who will most likely be extremely attractive, yet highly conservative politically.
  
  My alternative schools are currently York College of PA and Frostburg State U.
  
  Any advice or comments?

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  Feb 15, 2011 10:07 PM GMT

  bump

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  Feb 15, 2011 10:36 PM GMT

  Don't go. Choose one of the other schools. You have options - there's no sense making yourself miserable for four years, if this school is as bad as you say it'll only breed problems for you. Choose a better school so you can focus on your studies and be out without all that extra baggage, you just don't belong at H-SC.

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  Feb 16, 2011 2:32 AM GMT

  well, i can handle being in the closet if i have a blindingly sexy gold-digger from Sweetbriar.

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• Ironman4U
  
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  Feb 18, 2011 3:51 AM GMT

  Richmond is close if you need to break away...I do know guys who graduated from H-SC who are gay...So while it does have conservative roots, you may be surprised to find some guys like yourself there.

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  Feb 18, 2011 4:05 AM GMT

  Yeah, they're pretty much what people imagine. Might want to look at:
  
  Gay Rights Watch survey of gay-friendly schools lists H-S in the bottom 3:
  http://www.gayrightswatch.com/2005/08/gay-friendly-colleges-ranked-reed.html
  
  Support Org:
  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hampden-Sydney-Unity-ALLiance/50076756964?v=info

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  Feb 18, 2011 4:13 AM GMT

  WHERE THE HELL KIND OF CRAP SCHOOL IS THIS? UGH, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GO TO A REAL SCHOOL. THIS ISN'T THE 1950'S... NOT OKAY TO BE SOCIALLY ISOLATED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH A BUNCH OF NOBODIES.

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  Feb 18, 2011 4:15 AM GMT

  Heya Cromiel-
  
  I used to be a college admissions counselor back in the day, and I do recall traveling with college reps from all over, including HSC.
  
  Therefore, I felt moved by your question and your struggle. Making the decision about where to go to school is a complex choice, with so many deciding factors, such as cost, availability of loans, program choices, proximity to home, and also the culture of an institution.
  
  I found four articles within 10 seconds by googling "gay hampden sydney."
  These might help, and, I might suggest that you consider calling the college's staff member that runs the Intercultural Affairs office (link below) to discuss your concerns. Here's why: in my experience, since that person who is in charge of creating a safe space for students of different, non WASP backgrounds, including gay students, they should be an ally to you.
  
  Nevertheless, it may turn out that Frostburg or York might be better options for a confluence of reasons. However, I am sharing with you these links for your consideration...take some of the data that you'll analyze from these links with a grain of salt...all schools have homophobic people to some degree or another.
  
  In closing, wherever you do go, I encourage you to find, in advance, an ally at the institution where you want to spend four years of your time. It's a great time to advance your growth and so I applaud you as you take the next few steps before making your final decision.
  
  Good luck!
  
  Best regards,
  
  Perry
  
  
  1. A five-year-old article from the New York Times about the social life of HSC students:
  
  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/23/education/edlife/menscolleges.html?pagewanted=print
  
  
  2. A link to the Hampden-Sydney Unity Alliance - a gay straight alliance located at the school - maybe you can reach out to them?
  
  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hampden-Sydney-Unity-ALLiance/50076756964#!/pages/Hampden-Sydney-Unity-ALLiance/50076756964#!/event.php?eid=136990999687738
  
  3. An OLD article from Entrepreneur magazine that describes the culture...nothing new for you there.
  http://www.entrepreneur.com/colleges/ugrad/1022907.html
  
  4. A link to the staff at HSC whose role it is to support gay students.
  http://www3.hsc.edu/counseling/resources/gay_support.html

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