I'm a current Sophomore and I love Agnes Scott. It's most definitely not for everyone, but it's the perfect fit for me. Let's cover the basics...
Academics: Some classes are more challenging than others. That's true for any school, but I will say that I know people who are far busier than I am with schoolwork, despite classes in the same subjects and course levels. I do feel like I'm leaving class everyday having learned something new, which is a nice feeling.
Faculty: I think most people, no matter how they feel about ASC, will agree that 90% of the faculty are fantastic and that 100% are helpful if you approach them in the right way. The only thing is that they are often *too* nice, and I've seen friends and classmates dig themselves into some pretty deep ditches because of professors who give out extensions so readily. Yes, they are understanding, but it's up to the student to not take advantage of that in a way that will harm her GPA.
Students: Yeah, it's all girls, which can lead to some catty behavior, but, what you have to understand is that the school is SMALL. And, if a particular person gets under your skin, you'll see them more often than you'd probably like. However, this doesn't mean anything in the long run. You'll never like EVERYONE you meet no matter where you are.
One of the advantages of being at such a small school is how easy it is to meet people with similar interests. For the sake of concealing my identity with specific personal examples, let's just say that if you see someone with a t-shirt from your favorite band, it's very easy to strike up a conversation.
BTW, if you're into sci-fi and fandom, you will be sure to find many people with similar interests on campus.
Social Life: Every week, the college sends out a list of on-campus activities, and it's surprisingly long. Does this mean that you'll be super conflicted because there's just SO MUCH TO DO...not so much, but it doesn't mean you'll be bored. Trust me, if you want to party on a Friday (or Saturday or Tuesday) night, you can find someplace to go, even if it isn't on campus. ProBo (the student events committee) does organize some great movie nights.
The positive side of the lack of certain activities is that it means students who do not wish to engage in the typical college parties aren't forced to be surrounded by them.
Facilities: The dorms are huge. Even the first year dorms, which feel really small once you've been in upper-class housing, are still far larger than the typical college dorm room. Although, I do know quite a few people who would GLADLY give up some of that extra space for a mini-fridge. However, hall kitchens are generally kept clean, as long as people aren't stupid. Food theft isn't a big problem, although there have been instances here and there, because no one wants to be the reason the kitchens are closed.
The library isn't what you might get at a large university, but the inter-library loan system is very effective, especially with all of the larger nearby schools.
The food is edible. And not too bad, either. However, the foods served do get repetitive at a point. It's far from the worst dining hall food I've tasted, but any student will tell you that it's the lack of variety that causes the most complaints among students.
Campus traditions: Now we get into the good stuff. Agnes Scott is a college full of traditions. From Black Cat Week to Sophomore Family Weekend and Hub Sings, Agnes Scott College is far from lacking in tradition. I won't go into detail about all of them (details are on the school's website), but I will say that they are very important to the students and the school. There's a lot of school spirit here, and that's helped tremendously by our wonderful president, who is always more than happy to join in singing "Beer Beer Beer!" (a favorite college chant). I will say that ASC's traditions were a deciding factor in my choosing Agnes. I wear my school ring with pride and I'll gladly scream "All Hail" at the top of my lungs (as long as one of my fellow Scotties is with me).
Conclusion: I love Agnes Scott. Is it the best school in the world? Probably not. Is it the best school for me? Definitely. It's not for everyone, but, if it's for you (and be sure that it is before you pay your tuition!), you'll very much enjoy your time here. [People considering ASC...I'd STRONGLY encourage you to take advantage of the overnight visits. The hosts are great girls and you'll really get a sense of what it's like to be a student here.]
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