ADMISSION As the nation’s tenth oldest college, and the oldest for men, Hampden-Sydney offers solid reasons for students to attend: a complete undergraduate research library, well-trained and caring faculty members, successful job and graduate-school placement, superior facilities, advanced technological capabilities, internship and study-abroad opportunities, a competitive athletic program, and many social and extracurricular activities. On its safe, spacious campus, Hampden-Sydney also provides unequaled encouragement for students to rise to any level they choose. The rigorous academic program, based in the liberal arts and protected by a strong Honor Code, emphasizes analytical and communications skills to prepare students for just about any career. At the College men become leaders. QUALIFICATIONS Prospective students are expected to have mastered a solid, demanding college-preparatory program before entering Hampden-Sydney, including at least four units of English, two units of one foreign language, three units of mathematics, two units of natural science (one of which must be a laboratory course), and one unit of social science. In addition, a third unit of foreign language and a fourth unit of mathematics are recommended. The records of successful applicants often include examples of impressive school and community extracurricular contributions in addition to their academic preparation. For the class entering in the Fall of 2022, Hampden-Sydney does not require its applicants to submit the results they have achieved on the SAT, given by the College Entrance Examination Board, or the ACT, given by the American College Testing Program. If a student chooses not to submit standardized test scores, we will require an essay and an interview with an admission officer as a part of their application materials. For further information on these tests, candidates are encouraged to contact their secondary-school guidance department or visit
the College Entrance Examination Board at www.collegeboard.org (the Board’s code number for Hampden-Sydney College is 5291); or the American College Testing Program at www.act. org (the ACT code number for Hampden-Sydney College is 4356). APPLICATION CREDENTIALS For an application to Hampden-Sydney College to be considered complete, it must contain an Application for Admission, a transcript of high-school grades (and any previous college grades for transfer applicants), an essay, and one teacher recommendation. A student may apply electronically at www.hsc.edu. Hampden-Sydney also accepts the Common Application in lieu of its own form and gives equal consideration to both. Candidates wishing to support their applications with additional personal recommendations may do so up to a recommended maximum of three. While finding recommendations helpful in the selection process, we are not necessarily impressed by sheer volume, which often makes objective evaluation more difficult. CAMPUS INTERVIEWS Candidates considering Hampden-Sydney College are strongly encouraged and, in some cases, may be required to visit the campus for a personal interview. Tours of the campus, and conferences with professors and/or coaches can be arranged. Requests for appointments should be directed to the Admission Office at (800) 755-0733. The Office is located in Graham Hall and is open year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Open House programs are held throughout the year, to which students receive an invitation. A guide, with complete instructions for visitors, is forwarded prior to all appointments if sufficient notice is given.
