STUDY WHAT YOU LOVE
BE WHO YOU ARE
FIND YOUR FUTURE
Long before Alexander Hamilton shot to fame (no pun intended)
thanks to the hit Broadway musical, we claimed him as our favorite founding father. Hamilton College’s roots date to 1793, when George Washington and Alexander Hamilton voiced their support for the new institution, with Hamilton agreeing to serve as our first trustee and lend his name. As you know from history books, Hamilton was more than an orphan and an immigrant who achieved prominence as a member of the Continental Army and as the first secretary of the treasury; he was a visionary, a persuasive writer, and a critical thinker whose intelligence largely shaped the country we have today. Those are the same skills we value and teach our students. That’s why we believe the legacy of Hamilton the man lives on at Hamilton the College.
Hamilton’s
PROMISE What can you expect from an institution founded more than 200 years ago, named for Alexander Hamilton, and that today is one of the most highly regarded liberal arts colleges in America? That’s a good question. At Hamilton, you can: n
n
n
Study What You Love Our open curriculum gives you the freedom to choose courses that interest you, while you still fulfill our expectation to study broadly across the liberal arts. Be Who You Are It’s easy to fit in at Hamilton because there’s no typical type of student. Find Your Future We will make sure you have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be successful when you leave Hamilton.
We make one additional promise. We will evaluate your application without considering your financial circumstances and, once you are accepted, we will meet your full demonstrated need for all four years.
STUDY WHAT YOU LOVE You’re smart, ambitious, and inquisitive with a diverse set of interests, so naturally you’re looking for a college that will challenge you with a rigorous academic program. And since you haven’t had a lot of choice about the classes you’ve taken in high school, you can’t wait to take what interests you in college. If that college is Hamilton, your freedom is even greater because we are one of the few colleges in the United States with an open curriculum.
STUDY WHAT YOU LOVE
KATIE VEASEY Environmental Studies major; French minor Presenter, American Chemical Society meeting I was spending the summer analyzing samples as the marine science intern at Clean Ocean Action when I had an idea — to study the persistent organic pollutants that cling to microplastics. I quickly realized that not only did my Hamilton chemistry courses provide me with the lab experience to do it, but that I had used the instruments needed for the work during my first year of college. I decided to find a way to do my own project. I asked Professor Sarah Rosenstein, my lab lecturer for Organic Chemistry II, to be my research advisor, and she readily agreed. She helped me apply for a College grant to do research over the summer. I got the grant and later presented at an American Chemical Society national meeting in San Francisco. My presentation went well, and I answered five or six questions. Someone even came up to me afterward and suggested something I should look into for my research, which made me even more grateful to Hamilton for providing me with this amazing opportunity.
Katie on the beach at Popamora Point County Park, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
How does an
OPEN CURRICULUM work?
Imagine being in a class where everyone is there because they’re attracted to the subject, not because they have to fulfill some requirement. That’s the beauty of Hamilton’s open curriculum — smart students engaging actively with each other about material that genuinely interests them. In such an environment, students choose subjects they’re passionate about, while still having the flexibility to pursue new passions. As a result, our students discover new interests and 70 percent graduate with two majors or a major and a minor. Don’t worry if you haven’t decided on a major. Many of our students explore different options before they choose one; Hamilton’s open curriculum provides that flexibility. Others know exactly what they want to study and can’t wait to get started; our open curriculum works for them, too. Either way, you’ll work closely with a faculty advisor to create an individualized plan of study specific to your interests and graduate as a critical and creative thinker, writer, and speaker — skills that will help you stand out in the job market or when applying to graduate school. Our open curriculum is best suited for students who are independent, motivated, and committed to the ideals of a broad-based liberal arts education. If that describes you, Hamilton might be a good fit for your next four years.
Distinguished Academic Programs Hamilton offers 57 areas of study, administered by professors who win teaching awards and advance knowledge in their fields through groundbreaking scholarly research and new artistic creations. They have high standards for their students and will expect you to interact deeply with your coursework. Most classes are designed specifically to emphasize active participation and discussion, so if you tend to approach your education as a spectator, or if you have a habit of not preparing for class, Hamilton may not be the right college for you. Speak, Write, Present What good is having something to say if you can’t say it well? At Hamilton you’ll learn to do both. In fact, we believe that speaking well and writing well are evidence of your ability to think well. That’s why our faculty stipulates that all students complete three writing-intensive courses — and why some classes are designated as speaking-intensive. You will become a more effective and persuasive communicator after four years at Hamilton.
“I love introducing students to the astonishing and often transformative work of global filmmakers; watching students come to terms with these accomplishments thrills and teaches me.” Scott MacDonald, Professor of Cinema and Media Studies
Research and Experiential Learning Hamilton provides roughly 130 research stipends totaling nearly $500,000 to students each summer and has recently invested more than $155 million to construct, renovate, and expand academic facilities for student creativity, research, and exploration. In addition, each Hamilton student graduates having completed a capstone experience, which typically involves significant research or an original artistic creation. Many departments and centers sponsor community-based programs for students to put into practice what they’ve learned in class. Off-Campus Study In a typical year, two-thirds of our students explore different cultures and take on new intellectual challenges by studying for a semester or a year away from campus. You can choose from more than 100 approved programs or participate in one of our highly regarded options in France, Spain, China, Washington, DC, New York City, or the New England Center for Children. Students receiving financial aid can use their award to study away from campus.
MARQUIS PALMER Philosophy major Community activist, studied at Oxford University The day Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter network, came to Hamilton to speak on her involvement in the movement, I was leading a discussion in a first-year class. I was a mentor for the course, and we happened to be discussing the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass that day. I didn’t think to relate that discussion to Garza’s visit and the network she started, but the first-year students did. They enthusiastically pointed out the parallels between Douglass’ situation in the 19th century and our contemporary moment, and creatively adapted his abolitionist arguments to the case against racial profiling, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Their points were, of course, insightful, but even more than that, they reminded me of the important role that the study of literature — and a college education — play in the fight for social justice.
Marquis at the Shakespeare Memorial Room, Birmingham Library, Birmingham, UK
GOALS AT A GLANCE The official descriptions of Hamilton’s eight educational goals can be found on our website, but here’s how students in a writing class summed them up: 1
Learn to think clearly
2
Learn to evaluate information meaningfully
3
Appreciate art
4
Acquire mastery of a subject
5
Be creative
6
Express yourself clearly
7
8
Understand differences and coexist Give back to your community
Advising Hamilton offers students a rigorous academic program supported by dozens of curricular and cocurricular resources to ensure your success on campus and when you leave College Hill. But how do you know what services to access? And when? And who can help you navigate all the different options available to you? Introducing ALEX*, a coordinated network of advisors tailored for each student’s academic success, career preparation, experiential learning, and personal growth. Your faculty advisor will focus with you on your top priority — your academic program — working closely to create an educational plan matched to your interests, strengths, and career goals. You’ll also be paired with an ALEX advisor. This person will be your first point of contact for many questions, introducing you to the resources, services, and programs that will support you throughout your four years, and offering guidance in areas such as off-campus study, career preparation, and finding balance in your life. If more advice is needed, you’ll be referred to others on campus with specific knowledge about your interests. Peer interns are part of ALEX too, serving as an informed network of students offering inside advice about making the most of your four years at college. Our curriculum has few requirements, but our professors have many expectations. You, your faculty advisor, and your ALEX advisor will devise a plan that balances the freedom of our open curriculum with the breadth of a liberal arts education, ultimately preparing you to contribute meaningfully and with purpose in a complicated world. * ALEX = Advise, Learn, EXperience
“Playing Division III sports allows me to not compromise on all my other interests. Sports are serious, and require time and commitment, but also allow you time to do all the other things you are passionate about.” Pat Morelli
Pursue Your Passions After spending the first two years exploring the curriculum, Hamilton students declare a concentration by the end of their sophomore year. Roughly 21 percent have two majors, and almost half have a major and minor. Some academic departments with the fewest majors attract the greatest number of students to their classes. We think this speaks to the freedom of the Hamilton curriculum and the almost limitless ways our students stretch themselves to pursue personal interests. But no matter your academic focus, you will learn to write, to think, and to form and defend opinions, and you will be challenged, supported, and prepared for a career of meaning and purpose.
Areas of Study Africana Studies
Education Studies*
Middle East & Islamic World Studies*
American Studies
English
Music
Anthropology
Environmental Studies
Neuroscience
Arabic**
French and Francophone Studies
Philosophy
Archaeology
Geoarchaeology
Physics
Art
Geosciences
Psychology
Art History
German Studies
Public Policy
Asian Studies
Government
Religious Studies
Astronomy*
Greek**
Russian Studies
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Hebrew**
Sociology
Biology
Hispanic Studies
Spanish
Chemical Physics
History
Statistics*
Chemistry
Interdisciplinary Concentration
Theatre
Chinese
Italian**
Women’s & Gender Studies
Cinema & Media Studies
Japanese
World Politics
Classical Languages
Jurisprudence, Law & Justice Studies*
Classical Studies
Latin**
Computer Science
Latin American Studies*
Creative Writing
Linguistics*
Dance & Movement Studies
Literature
Digital Arts*
Mathematics
Economics
Medieval & Renaissance Studies*
With additional preprofessional advising for business, education, engineering, law, and medicine
* Minor Only ** Language Only
BE WHO YOU ARE There’s no one type of Hamilton student. You can be nerdy, sophisticated, quirky, artsy, outgoing, sloppy, athletic, quiet … you name it. At Hamilton, you will be accepted for who you are and what you believe. And with nearly 2,000 students, you’ll find a group of friends to hang out with who share your interests. Hamilton is a very welcoming community that attracts people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Everyone brings something unique to campus. It’s what makes our College such an interesting place to spend four years. At Hamilton, we value and take care of one another. One guidebook described us as “freakishly friendly” — perhaps that is a little “over-the-top,” but it’s a reputation we like.
BE WHO YOU ARE
JOSH ROTHSTEIN Government major Campus Activities Board, tour guide As a concert coordinator for the Campus Activities Board, one of my duties is making promotional videos for major events. Our video for Saturday Night Live’s Pete Davidson’s comedy show received over 7,000 views. Its theme revolved around holding open tryouts to find the perfect headliner, and one of its stars was Hamilton President David Wippman. I emailed President Wippman asking if he’d do a mock audition for the video, and he wrote back — the same day — agreeing to participate. He showed up ready to go at 9 a.m. with his own material, energy, and enthusiasm. He told a ridiculous “Dad” joke comparing college presidents to cemetery caretakers, and it was hilarious. I had a great time seeing a different side of him. I think it says a lot about the Hamilton community that I could ask our president to be in a student video, and he would do everything in his power to help the project succeed.
Josh on stage in Wellin Hall at Hamilton College
A Small City Hamilton operates like a small city but has the feel of a close neighborhood. Students come to College Hill to get an education — that will be your top priority, of course — but Hamilton will provide you with a multitude of housing, dining, entertainment, fitness, recreation, religious, and social options. And just like a small city, we have our own government, newspaper, radio station, health center, orchestra, sports teams, and art museum. The resources are amazing for a student population of our size, and the options are as varied as the students who live here. Prestigious but Unpretentious Hamilton is different from the other highly ranked, highly selective Northeastern liberal arts colleges. We certainly enroll talented students who are serious about their studies, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. It comes down to this: People who know Hamilton and interact with our students, faculty, and alumni think very highly of the College … and that’s good enough for us. Different Backgrounds, Different Ideas Perhaps more than any other type of organization, colleges bring together people with different ideas and backgrounds. As members of a residential liberal arts college, Hamilton students have a shared
“In small classes, students and professors are invested in a shared endeavor. We know each other’s names, we make eye contact; students know I will call on them, and I know they will call on me.” Sally Cockburn, Professor of Mathematics
home and a shared identity, but every student is also part of many other communities that overlap in interesting ways. We enroll College Republicans and College Democrats (and independents too!), black students and white students, gay students and straight students. Part of your education at Hamilton will focus on exploring the meaning of our multiple and intersecting identities on campus. That exploration will not always be easy and it will not always be comfortable. But easy and comfortable are not part of our educational mission. Intellectual, social, and moral development are, and they occur only when we confront new ideas and consider other perspectives. Hamilton for Life Membership in the Hamilton community lasts a lifetime. Our graduates remain exceptionally loyal and passionate supporters of their College and the students who have taken their place on College Hill. They show it through generous contributions, of course, but alumni also provide our students with internships, job-shadowing experiences, and other forms of career advice. They visit campus regularly to recruit and speak in classes. And when you graduate and start your life in a new city, Hamilton alumni are there again to help you get started.
AMY ZHANG Creative Writing major Published novelist, Falling Into Place and This is Where the World Ends My freshman year I used to write in the library while my friends were doing homework. People assume that writing is a lonely activity, and sometimes it has to be. But coming to college I found that I work better in environments where everyone else around me is also working hard and vastly interested in what they are doing. On the first floor of the library there are these collaborative spaces with big tables and art supplies. There’s always such a beautiful energy there — it’s so great to be able to turn to a friend and say, “Read this paragraph I just wrote; I’m excited about it.” Having this external accountability to be productive with friends is important because it’s also a reminder to unwind and have fun. On occasion, my roommates and I trudge home from the library around midnight and read poetry aloud to each other before bed.
Amy in the Burke Library at Hamilton College
“I created a food studies major that combines psychology, creative writing, and sociology. I’m able to explore my passion for food and sustainability — and it complements my food blog.” Meg Josephson
Vibrant Campus Our students are incredibly active outside the classroom. In a typical year, Hamilton hosts approximately 1,200 concerts, lectures, sporting events, comedians, blood drives, poetry readings, workshops, debates, worship services, films, gallery openings, coffeehouses, volunteer activities … well, you get the idea. There are more than 200 community service, cultural, musical, athletic, political, social, recreational, and religious groups on campus. These include 29 varsity teams, 16 club sports, and many intramural and recreational offerings. We are not a campus of spectators. People here do things … and there’s a lot to do. At Hamilton, We Support One Another You will meet some of your closest friends at Hamilton — friends who will be part of your life forever. Throughout your four years on College Hill, you can expect friends, classmates, and hallmates to show up at your a cappella concert, swim meet, senior recital, senior thesis presentation, or poetry reading. Oftentimes your professors are there, too. You’ll also find students supporting each other during times of significant challenge and even hardship. At Hamilton, we watch out for one another — we are a community that cares and supports one another.
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY • ANIME CLUB • ANTHROPOLOGY CLUB • AQUAPONICS • ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN MATHEMATICS • ATHLETES OF COLOR INITIATIVE • BACKGAMMON CLUB • BASEBALL ANALYTICS CLUB • BEEKEEPERS
6 BOARD GAME CLUB
• BOFFER/LIVE ACTION ROLE-PLAYING
V
BOWLING CLUB • BROTHERS ORGANIZATION •
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD • CLASSICS CLUB • CLIMBING CLUB • CLUB ENTO • CODING TEAM • COMPETITIVE ROBOTICS
•
CONSPIRACY THEORISTS
•
CONSULTING CLUB
•
CULINARY SOCIETY
•
DJ & PRODUCTION CLUB
EMERSON LITERARY SOCIETY • FILM CLUB • FINANCE CLUB • FINANCIAL LITERACY CLUB • FIRST DRAFT E FISHING CLUB • FRATERNITIES • FULL MOON CLUB • GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY • GNAR CLUB • GRILLING CLUB •
CLUBS & ...
HALT • HELPING HANDS KNITTING CLUB • HISTORY CLUB • HUMANS OF HAMILTON • INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ASSOCIATION •
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KENDO CLUB
INVESTMENT CLUB •
KLOVER DANCE
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JUGGLING CLUB •
LAWN GAMES
SOCIETY • LEAGUE OF LEGENDS CLUB • MATHLETICS • MENTAL WELLNESS COLLECTIVE • MEDITATION CLUB
MICROFINANCE CLUB
• MOCK TRIAL
NO PAWN INTENDED • OUTING CLUB • PAINTBALL CLUB • PEOPLE
WHO LIKE TO DO FUN THINGS • PHILOSOPHY CLUB • PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB • POSITIVE THINKING CLUB • POTTERY CLUB
B
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POWDER CLUB
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PRE-HEALTH CAREERS CLUB
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QUESTBRIDGE SCHOLARS NETWORK
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QUIZ BOWL
REAL ESTATE CLUB • REALITY TV CLUB • ROBOTICS • ROLE-PLAYING GAME CLUB • ROOTS: HAMILTON’S SOCIETY
FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR IN STEM • SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING • SLOW FOOD • SMART • SOCIETY FOR URBAN PLANNERS & ARCHITECTS
SOCIETY OF PHYSICS STUDENTS • SORORITIES • SPACE SOCIETY • SPORTS BUSINESS
CLUB • STAR WARS CLUB • STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE • STUDENT DANCE ALLIANCE • STUDENT EMTS • SUNRISE MOVEMENT • SUPER SMASH BROS. CLUB • SWIMMING CLUB • TEDX HAMILTON
THE MOVIE
CHANNEL • TRIVIA NIGHT • VEGAN CLUB • VOLLEYBALL CLUB • WOMEN IN COMPUTER SCIENCE • WOMEN IN STEM • WOOLLCOTT COOPERATIVE • CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS •
AFRICONS • ARABIC & MIDDLE EAST ORGANIZATION
• ASIAN STUDENT UNION • BLACK AND LATINX STUDENT UNION • CARIBBEAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION • CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE • FRENCH CLUB • GERMAN CLUB • GLI HAMILTONIANI AMICI DELLA CULTURA ITALIANA INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION • LA VANGUARDIA • GENDER & SEXUALITY UNION • RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION • SHENANDOAH-KIRKLAND INITIATIVE • SPANISH CLUB • VOICES OF COLOR LECTURE SERIES • GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS ORGANIZATIONS • AHI UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWS • BRIDGE • COLLEGE DEMOCRATS
• COLLEGE REPUBLICANS • DEBATE SOCIETY • ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION LEAGUE • FEMINISTS OF COLOR COLLECTIVE • GLOBAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION • HAMVOTES • HER CAMPUS • MODEL UNITED NATIONS • SAVES • STUDENT ASSEMBLY CHOIR •
• THRIFT STORE • WOMEN IN POLITICS • WOMXN’S CENTER • MUSIC ENSEMBLES • CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
JAZZ COMBO • JAZZ ENSEMBLE • MASTERWORKS CHORALE • ORCHESTRA • WIND ENSEMBLE
COLLEGE HILL SINGERS
• PERFORMANCE GROUPS • BAND CLUB • BUFFERS • DANCE TEAM • DUELLY NOTED • HAMILTONES • HEAT • HOGWARTS AT HAMILTON • KEYTONE LIGHTS • POETRY SLAM CLUB • SPECIAL K • STUDENT PERFORMING ARTS CLUB • TAP THAT! • TROPICAL SOL • TUMBLING AFTER • UNTITLED@LARGE • VIBES, WRITTEN & SPOKEN • YODAPEZ IMPROV • RELIGIOUS
ORGANIZATIONS • ALL BELIEFS UNION • CHABAD COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP • FELLOWSHIP
OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES • HILLEL • MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION • NEWMAN COUNCIL • RELIGIOUS STUDIES CLUB • CLUB SPORTS & INTRAMURALS • ALPINE SKIING
U
BADMINTON • BASKETBALL • BEACH VOLLEYBALL • CURLING
C EQUESTRIAN • FENCING • FIGURE SKATING • FLOOR HOCKEY • FOOTBALL • GOLF • HAMTREK SPRING TRIATHLON
...ORGANIZATIONS
• ICE HOCKEY
AINDOOR SOCCER • KICKBALL • MAR ATHON
CANOE
• RACQUETBALL • TENNIS
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RACING
ULTIMATE FRISBEE •
• GREEN APPLE
MEDIA BOARD
•
CONTINENTAL
MULTISPORT
W
• RUGBY (M/W)
• STUDENT MEDIA
• THE
•
•
•
THE
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SAILING
VOLLEYBALL
CIRCLE MAGAZINE
CLUB
•
• •
SOCCER (M/W)
WATER POLO
CULTURE MAGAZINE
RED WEATHER
DAILY
(CYCLING/RUNNING)
BULL
•THE
•
•
•
•
WERQ
•
THE
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NORDIC
SOFTBALL •
YOGA
DUEL OBSERVER
ROUTES MAGAZINE HAMILTONIAN
•
•
•
•
GRASPING ROOTS
•
THE
SUTURE
SPECTATOR
WHCL HAMILTON COLLEGE RADIO • VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS • ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
• THE TOPICAL
• BIKE CO-OP • EMPOWER MOVES • HAAND (HAMILTON AUTISM ADVOCATES FOR NEURODIVERSITY) FOR
SQUASH
ZUMBA CLUB
SIGNATURE STYLE MONITOR
SKIING
HUMANITY
•
HAVOC
(HAMILTON
ASSOCIATION
FOR
VOLUNTEERING,
OUTREACH,
AND
•
HABITAT CHARITY)
• HAMILTON READS • LET’S GET READY • MEN OF HAMILTON AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT • MINDS FOR CHANGE • ON THE MOVE
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PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
•
RED CROSS CLUB
STUDENT EMTS • THE HARVEST • UTICA CHARTER SCHOOL TUTORING
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS
•
STRONG GIRLS
2
1
3
THE HAMILTON BUCKET LIST
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4
8
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1
Summit the rock wall at the Blood Fitness Center
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Cheer on the Continentals
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Get lost snowshoeing in the glen
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Get covered in mud at a prom dress rugby game
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Send a Buffergram
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Show up for Diner B, at 3 a.m. of course
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Visit Clinton Cider Mill and have a cider donut … or six
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Take a selfie with Alex
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Watch the sunrise from KJ
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Celebrate at the crowning of Mr. Hamilton
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Avoid the curse of the bronze map
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Make it on (President) DWippman’s Instagram page
FIND YOUR FUTURE You will be prepared. Hamilton’s faculty will make sure you develop the intellectual skills; our career professionals will ensure you have the opportunities to pursue internships and other career-related experiences; our alumni will help you build a career network; and our College’s emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and effective oral and written communication will give you the confidence to express your ideas with poise and conviction. And then there’s ALEX*, a coordinated network of advisors tailored for your academic success, career preparation, experiential learning, and personal growth. ALEX will connect the dozens of programs and services available on campus in a purposeful way to help you maximize your Hamilton experience — academically, socially, holistically — all with the goal of preparing you for a successful transition to life after college. ALEX = Advise, Learn, EXperience
FIND YOUR FUTURE
ARTHUR WILLIAMS Hispanic Studies major Deals Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers Social Entrepreneur, founder of FreshLife The support one gets at Hamilton is unlike anything you could ever expect. Even when you leave The Hill, it’s like you’re sent out on a special mission. I had been given so much at Hamilton; it was time to do something to make a difference. Farmers in my country struggle to make ends meet. At the same time, working-class Jamaicans find fresh organic produce hard to come by, and seven out of 10 people die from non-communicable diseases. My idea? What if people could order a basket of fresh, organic, clean fruit and vegetables right from their phone? What if it showed up on their doorstep the next day? What if some of the profits could be reinvested into local farming communities? Hamilton continues to support me — this time through a postgraduate fellowship that I used to create FreshLife, which connects farmers with everyday Jamaicans. FreshLife is a startup, but it’s more than that. It’s a chance for me to make real change. It’s a chance I got … because of Hamilton.
Arthur in St. Andrew, Jamaica
“Few things would make me happier than to see my students go on to lead productive lives of inquiry, purpose, and service.” Vikranth Rao Bejjanki, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Career-Related Experience Your bachelor’s degree will signal to employers and graduate schools that you’re well prepared for life after college, but you can expect to leave Hamilton with much more. You’ll have the opportunity to build a portfolio of career-related experiences ranging from independent research and professional internships to experiential learning in the community and fellowships. We even provide stipends each year for about 130 students to conduct research and for about 200 students to pursue internships. Nearly every one of our seniors graduates having had at least one career-related experience. Self-Knowledge You come to college to learn about the world your generation will inherit, but you also come to learn more about yourself. For more than 200 years, Hamilton’s motto, “Know Thyself,” has encouraged students — working with our faculty and staff — to develop a greater sense of their strengths, weaknesses, and interests.
Leadership We believe leadership can be taught, so we offer many formal and informal opportunities for you to learn to take initiative, make informed, responsible, and ethical decisions, and successfully organize and collaborate with others on shared projects and goals. The Levitt Leadership Institute, established by a former U.S. ambassador, is one such program. The Hamilton Network As accomplished as they may be, Hamilton graduates are down-to-earth, loyal supporters of their alma mater. Whether they serve as a corporate CEO, a world-renowned artist, or a civil rights pioneer, alumni return to campus regularly, maintaining ties with former teachers, and meeting with current students in the classroom, the Career Center, or over a cup of coffee. And in the months following graduation, alumni are there again, welcoming Hamiltonians to a new city and helping them make personal and professional contacts that will launch successful careers.
Alumni of Distinction Hamilton’s 24,089 alumni are collectively among the most loyal, passionate, and accomplished graduates of any college in the country. They include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom; college and university presidents and deans; past and current members of Congress, the president’s cabinet, and the National Academy of Sciences; nonprofit leaders, teachers, community volunteers, and philanthropists; Fortune 500 CEOs, entrepreneurs, and Wall Street executives; and authors, journalists, entertainers, and Tony Award-winning playwrights. MASON ASHE ’85
professional sports agent, named one of “101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports” by Sports Illustrated MARY BONAUTO ’83
attorney, argued gay-marriage case before U.S. Supreme Court WILLIAM BRISTOL, 1882
co-founder, Bristol-Myers Squibb MATTHEW CARTWRIGHT ’83
U.S. congressman
JOHN HEWKO ’79
CEO and general secretary, Rotary International ALON HILLEL-TUCH ’07
founder, RocketHub LINDA JOHNSON ’80
president and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library A.G. LAFLEY ’69
former chairman, president and CEO, Procter & Gamble CHRISTINE LAINE ’83
president and CEO, Youth Service America
physician and editor, Annals of Internal Medicine
JOHN EMERSON ’75
THOMAS MEEHAN ’51
STEVE CULBERTSON ’79
DAVID FAXON ’67
Tony Award-winning playwright (The Producers, Hairspray, Annie, Rocky the Musical)
SPENCER FINCH ’85
chief administrative officer, Comcast and executive vice president, NBCUniversal
PAUL GREENGARD ’48
civil rights leader; founder, The Algebra Project
former U.S. ambassador to Germany cardiologist; former president of the American Heart Association artist commissioned to create a piece for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum recipient, 2000 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
ADAM MILLER ’92
ROBERT MOSES ’56
“My time at Hamilton was vital in forming the foundation of who I now am as an author — being free to take a wide range of classes truly allowed my creativity to flourish.” Sarah Maas ’08, best-selling author, Throne of Glass series, A Court of Thorns and Roses series, and Crescent City series
JONATHAN OVERPECK ’79
scientist, lead author of the U.N. climate change report
B.F. SKINNER ’26
behavioral psychologist DAVID SMITH ’79
actress, Suits (USA Network)
former nuclear security coordinator, International Atomic Energy Agency
MARC RANDOLPH ’80
DAVID SOLOMON ’84
JOHN RICE ’78
THOMAS TULL ’92
NANCY ROOB ’87
THOMAS VILSACK ’72
SARAH RAFFERTY ’93
co-founder, Netflix vice chairman, GE
president, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation ELIHU ROOT, 1864
secretary of war, secretary of state, winner of the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize
chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs founder, Legendary Entertainment U.S. secretary of agriculture MELINDA WAGNER ’79
winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize in Music Composition EDWARD WALKER ’62
award-winning novelist
former U.S. ambassador to Israel, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates
JAMES SHERMAN, 1878
RACHEL WEISS ’93
KAMILA SHAMSIE ’94
27th U.S. vice president JOSH SIMPSON ’72
vice president for strategy and growth, L’Oreal
SUSAN SKERRITT K’77
founding executive editor, ESPN The Magazine
world-renowned glass sculptor retired chairwoman, CEO and president, Deutsche Bank Trust
STEVEN WULF ’72
GILLIAN ZUCKER ’90
president of business operations, L.A. Clippers
1
1O UNDER 1O
Ten talented alumni who graduated in the last ten years: 1
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9
10
JULIAN TEMPELSMAN ’12 co-founder, Smyte GRACE GUAN ’13 Investment banking analyst, Financial Institutions Group, J.P. Morgan SARAH KRIEGER ’11 Senior asylum officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; graduate Columbia Law School
3
ANDERSON TUGGLE ’14 Faegre Drinker business litigation group; former law clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; graduate Yale Law School MINOU CLARK ’14 Director, growth, Meredith Corp. JEREMY MATHURIN ’16 MBA candidate, Cornell University; former strategy and operations business analyst, Deloitte Consulting TSION TESFAYE ’16 Founder, Youth for Ethiopia; 2019 recipient, Knight-Hennessy Scholarship to Stanford University (MS statistics)
2
JOSE VAZQUEZ ’15 Digital marketing manager, Equal Justice Initiative JOHN WULF ’12 Coordinator, baseball operations, Washington Nationals SOPHIE MAYEUX ’15 Surgical resident, Columbia University Medical Center
4
9
8 5
10
6 4
10 UNDER 10 7
“I don’t wish for students to make the intellectual choices that I did. I just hope they find ideas they’re fired up about!” Pavitra Sundar, Assistant Professor of Literature
Our
PROMISE … and YOURS Study What You Love n Be Who You Are n Find Your Future n
Quite simply, these represent Hamilton’s three promises to you. But we ask for a pledge from you in return. We expect you to work to your ability, to be open to new ideas, and to contribute your talents to our community. You see, Hamilton has a higher purpose than simply providing a top liberal arts education to some pretty terrific students. After all, society needs not just educated workers, but smart, empathetic, altruistic people prepared to lead the change that will make the world better. Hyperbole? Perhaps. But we strive to do more than what’s expected; our goal is to produce graduates who lead lives of meaning, purpose, and active citizenship. If this higher calling appeals to you, then Hamilton might be a good fit for your talents.
JUST THE FACTS What follows is a sampling of Hamilton facts and lists — the stuff we think you want to know, the stuff we think we’re good at, and, in some cases, the stuff other people think we’re good at. We hope this information helps you determine if Hamilton is right for you. One thing you won’t find in these lists: Hamilton’s place on different rankings. It’s not because we don’t do well; it’s that we don’t believe a college education can be reduced to a single numerical value that incorporates all the things that matter to different types of students. Finding the right college is about fit — where you’ll be the most happy and the most successful.
STUDY JUST THE WHAT FACTS YOU LOVE
MOTTO
KNOW THYSELF Life is a constant process of learning about the world and your place in it. But rest assured, you don’t need to know everything about yourself when you enroll at Hamilton; just be open to becoming the person you are meant to be.
LOCATION Hamilton’s 1,350-acre campus is situated on a hilltop overlooking the picturesque village of Clinton, NY The College is eight miles southwest of Utica, 45 minutes east of Syracuse, one hour from the Adirondack Park to the northeast, and 90 minutes west of Albany. NAMESAKE Alexander Hamilton, U.S. statesman, first secretary of the U.S. Treasury, member of the first Board of Trustees of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, and inspiration for the Broadway musical Hamilton.
HISTORY Founded in 1793 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy; chartered in 1812 as Hamilton College; third oldest college in New York State.
ACADEMIC LIFE
DEGREE OFFERED: Bachelor of Arts FACULTY:
195 Full Time
MOST POPULAR MAJORS: Economics Mathematics Government Psychology World Politics Literature Sociology Biology Neuroscience Creative Writing STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO:
9:1
95%
34%
have 9 or fewer students
137
Average number of individual Writing Center conferences a year:
2,800
Seniors who had one or more Writing Center conferences during their four years:
90%
hold the highest degree in their field
CLASS SIZE:
COURSES DESIGNATED “WRITING INTENSIVE”:
RECENT POPULAR DOUBLE MAJORS: Economics & Math Economics & World Politics Art & Literature Hispanic Studies & Psychology OFF-CAMPUS STUDY: 60% of students study off campus for a semester or year
SENIORS SURVEYED WHO SAID: writing is an essential prerequisite for success in today’s world:
80%
they discussed course content with students outside of class:
76%
have 19 or fewer AREAS OF STUDY:
57 41
including majors
MOST POPULAR MINORS: Mathematics Government Education Economics Sociology
99%
they worked with classmates on group projects:
93%
STUDENTS STUDENTS COME FROM:
FEMALE:
MALE:
54% 46%
ON-CAMPUS ENROLLMENT:
49 states
46
1,850
countries
OFF-CAMPUS ENROLLMENT:
33%
150
Number of high schools represented in our student body:
OF THE STUDENT BODY CONSISTS OF: 27% U.S. students of color 6% international citizens
27%
1,118
6%
Percent from the first generation in their family to attend college:
14%
CAMPUS LIFE
Percent of students who live on campus
100%
29
Residential Options (from small houses to large residence halls, offering singles, doubles, triples, quads, apartments, and suites)
76%
Seniors surveyed who said they had served as a leader of a campus organization
Favorite Campus Hangouts Glen House, Café Opus, KJ Commons, Science Center Atrium, Dining Halls, Sadove Sun Porch
8
Dining Options
2 dining halls plus a diner, café, 2 coffeehouses, a pub, and a smoothie bar
70+
Events held each year in Wellin Hall
ATHLETICS & RECREATION AFFILIATION
NCAA Division III CONFERENCE
New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC): Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan, Williams
NICKNAME
COLORS
OUR MASCOT “ALEX”
Varsity Teams: 29 Baseball (m) Basketball (m/w) Cross Country (m/w) Field Hockey (w) Football (m) Golf (m/w) Ice Hockey (m/w) Lacrosse (m/w) Rowing (m/w) Soccer (m/w) Softball (w) Squash (m/w) Swimming and Diving (m/w) Tennis (m/w) Track (indoor/outdoor m/w) Volleyball (w)
Club Sports: 16 Alpine Skiing Basketball (w) Curling Equestrian Fencing Figure Skating Ice Hockey Multisport Club (Cycling/Running) Nordic Skiing Rugby (m/w) Sailing Soccer (m/w) Ultimate Frisbee Water Polo
Intramural Programs: 15 Badminton Basketball Beach Volleyball Floor Hockey Football Golf Ice Hockey Indoor Soccer Kickball Racquetball Soccer Softball Squash Tennis Volleyball
CAREERS
96%
Percent of students in a job, graduate school, internship or pursuing a fellowship within 10 months of graduation
83%
98%
Percent of seniors graduating with at least two internships
Percent of seniors graduating with at least one internship
40%
of Alumni Pursue Graduate Study
TOP DESTINATIONS FOR RECENT HAMILTON GRADUATES: Philadelphia Bay Area, CA New York Denver Los Angeles Boston Albany Chicago Washington, DC Buffalo
EMPLOYMENT FIELDS FOR THE CLASS OF 2020:
GRADUATE STUDY FIELDS FOR THE CLASS OF 2020:
Health Care 16.7%
Humanities 11.7% Business Administration 6.7%
Social Sciences 21.7% Science & Math 33.3%
Law 5.0% Arts 1.7% Communications 1.7% Unknown 1.7%
FACTS
6,984,207
•
Height of the climbing wall in the Blood Fitness & Dance Center
34
150
feet
•
Number of Adirondack high peaks summited by Hamilton students in one weekend
Number of tree species that are part of the Hamilton College Arboretum
all 46 [elevation > 4,000 ft]
Hamilton alumni loyalty (as measured by the percentage of alumni donors, when comparing all U.S. colleges and universities)
•
Page views on Hamilton’s website last year
top
Number of mango brie paninis sold at Café Opus on an average Thursday
•
•
Average number of inches of snow each winter [bring it on, we’re a hardy bunch]
110
96 inches
2,056•
68
%
Students who participate on a varsity, club, or intramural sports team
Number of alumni with CEO, president, executive vice president, owner, founder, director, or similar titles
17
Student media organizations
18
Student performance groups
H
amilton’s motto is “Know Thyself,” but we don’t expect you to know what you’re going to be, much less who you’re going to be when you apply to college. The point is that the journey is as important as the destination — and that starts with your college search. The admission and financial aid application process will be a journey of self-discovery. You’ll start with a long list of places to explore and visit, you’ll narrow it down to those that are potentially a good fit, you’ll visit some (if only online), and you’ll eventually decide where to apply. We’ll send you fancy brochures and emails, with data and deadlines, outlining our opportunities and options. Somewhere along the way, you’ll figure out what you like, what you don’t, and where you think you might belong. We hope that list will include Hamilton. This book contains the “need-to-know” information and deadlines about our application process for admission and financial aid. This information is hardly exhaustive; in fact, it is really the beginning. If you like what you’ve read in this book, and if Hamilton makes it on the short list of places you will consider, we hope you will also spend time on our website and on our campus, exploring our offerings and getting to know us beyond the pretty pictures and admission statistics. While there is a lot we can’t guarantee about your college search adventure, we will never take your interest in Hamilton for granted. This is yet another Hamilton promise.
Monica C. Inzer Vice President for Enrollment Management
Applying to Hamilton Our goal is to admit the most able and promising mix of students who will contribute to the Hamilton community in meaningful ways. The primary criteria for admission are academic achievement and intellectual potential, but we also value leadership and a commitment to extracurricular and community activities, which may include work experiences and family responsibilities. In selecting the class, the admission committee looks for students representing diverse geographic, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, because people with different perspectives enrich our learning community.
HAMILTON EXPENSES 2021-22 Tuition and Fees
$59,970
Room and Board
$15,230
Total Charges
$75,200
Financial Aid Budget 2021-22: $49.2 million Average 2020-21 Financial Aid Award: $51,749 (Includes scholarship, student loan, and work-study)
Application Philosophy, Instructions, Deadlines, and Checklists hamilton.edu/apply Financial Aid Promise We are committed to ensuring that a Hamilton education is affordable and worthy of your investment. Hamilton is one of fewer than four dozen U.S. colleges that does not consider a U.S. student’s financial need when making decisions for fall admission, and then meets the full demonstrated need of every student it accepts. Campus Visits Campus tours, group information sessions, open houses, and special Saturday programs are offered year-round. Interviews are strongly recommended. See our website for details, r egistration, or to visit virtually. hamilton.edu/visit
Average 2020-21 Scholarship: $48,324 (More than half of our students receive need-based scholarships) Average Indebtedness at Graduation: between $16,500 and $21,500 (Which is about 50 percent less than the national average) Estimate Your Financial Aid at Hamilton hamilton.edu/estimate
Hamilton College values and respects intellectual and cultural diversity, because such respect promotes free and open inquiry, independent thought, and mutual understanding. The College complies with all relevant state and federal laws on non-discrimination. The director of community standards, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, 13323 (315-859-4020) is responsible for coordinating the College’s efforts to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, as well as its procedures for dealing with harassment on the basis of age, gender or gender identity, race, color, national origin, sexual and affectional orientation/association, military or veteran status, marital status, mental/physical disability, genetic information, ethnic origin, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law. The assistant dean of students for international students and accessibility, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, 13323 (315-859-4021) oversees compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act for students. Hamilton College complies with all federal and state laws including publishing and making available its Annual Security Report. The report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes and institutional policies addressing campus safety. The Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education. To obtain a copy of this report, contact the Department of Campus Safety, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY 13323 (315-859-4141) or visit: hamilton.edu/annualsecurityreport. Hamilton College is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA, 19104 (267-284-5000). June 2021
hamilton.edu 2021