Named to honor Alexander Hamilton and founded to educate the local Native Americans, Hamilton College has 1800 undergraduates. The college is located at the top of a hill, overlooking the tiny village of Clinton. Students laughed at the snow flurry that greeted me as I arrived in late April – they’d been wearing shorts the prior weekend, and expected to again the next – such is April in upstate New York. In 1970, Hamilton merged with Kirkland College, the women’s college located across the street, becoming coed and increasing in size.
Hamilton’s open curriculum sets it apart from many other selective liberal arts colleges. Believing that its better to have students in class who really want to be there, there are no general education requirements except for three writing intensive classes (from which there are many to choose across all departments) and PE (yoga, golf and skiing included). That said, faculty advisors deliberately engage students in conversations, strongly encouraging them to take a broad selection of courses. Students are supported by a Writing Center, Media Center and Oral Communication Center. A senior capstone project is required.
Community is a defining characteristic at Hamilton and that’s not surprising considering its somewhat isolated location. 98% live on campus and students stay there on weekends, participating in a huge range of activities and events. About 30% join fraternities and sororities but there are no associated houses. The two largest organizations on campus are the Outing Club, where you can rent just about any sports equipment you can imagine, and the community service organization that sponsors everything from one-hour activities to ongoing commitments. The students I spoke with were self assured, smart but not pretentious. They spoke of first hand experience with strong alumni networks for internships and jobs. What is the value of a Hamilton education? These impressive students said they had gained considerable confidence, were far more articulate and have developed valuable relationships with classmates, faculty and alumni that would last them a lifetime.
Hamilton admits students without regard to financial need and meets 100% of their demonstrated need. 97% return for the sophomore year.
