Know Thyself.
Grow Together.
Here at Hamilton, we embrace our motto, “Know Thyself.”
Know yourself? That’s not something you already have figured out. It’s a lifelong process — and Hamilton is the place where you can pursue it intentionally.
There’s no set path here. You’ll explore what excites you, ask questions, and change your mind (a lot). And you’ll do it alongside people who will help you see new possibilities.
Because growth happens in the everyday moments with others: late-night conversations, class discussions that open you up to new perspectives, and working through questions with classmates and professors who bring different ideas to the table.
That’s what we mean by Know Thyself: come as you are and stay open to who you can become. As you learn to think deeply, communicate clearly, and understand what matters to you, you’ll hone the skills you need to make an impact wherever your path leads.
Students walking down Martin’s Way.
6 QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ALREADY BE ASKING
What makes Hamilton different?
Our open curriculum. Professors who know you. Curious students who make each other’s thinking better. An education centered around communication, purpose, connection, and people. PAGE 4.
Do you have my major?
Probably — we have 58 areas of study. But you may also discover something you didn’t know you’d love. PAGE 10.
Will I feel at home?
You will be among people who challenge you, support you, and help you become more fully yourself. PAGE 26.
Will I be ready for what comes
next?
Research, internships, mentorship, and real-world experiences will help you build the skills and confidence to take you wherever you want to make an impact. PAGE 40.
Can I afford it?
We meet 100% of demonstrated financial need and admit students without considering their ability to pay, which makes Hamilton more affordable than you might think. PAGE 48.
Will Hamilton really help me “know myself” better?
We like to think so. That’s why we included space throughout this book for you to write down thoughts, questions, and ideas. We hope you will pause to reflect as you continue your college search.
Hamilton’s Buttrick Hall pays homage to the College’s charter year.
START WITH WHAT INTERESTS YOU
How our open curriculum works
Instead of starting college off with a checklist of academic requirements, we want you to start with questions:
What are you curious about? What excites you? What do you want to understand better?
Hamilton is one of the few U.S. colleges with an open curriculum, which means you design your education from your first semester. You can choose the classes that intrigue you and have time to change direction without falling behind.
Do you know what you want to study? Great! Dive in and get started. Still figuring out what interests you? Lots of interests? Explore them all. You don’t have to choose a major (we call them concentrations) until the spring semester of your sophomore year.
Over the course of your four years, you’ll build the timeless skills that matter most — how to think clearly, communicate effectively, and understand complex issues — through courses that strengthen your writing and presentation skills, challenge you to think about the world from different perspectives, and build your confidence working with data, theories, and ideas.
58 AREAS OF STUDY
73 % OF STUDENTS PURSUE MORE THAN ONE AREA OF STUDY
450 + CLASSES OFFERED EACH SEMESTER
Students work through problems in the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning Center (QSR).
Peter Hinkle Fairfield, Conn.
CONCENTRATION: HISTORY
MINORS: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, HISPANIC STUDIES
“This semester I’m taking Computer Science 101. Nearly everyone is from a different discipline, so every single one of us brings a different perspective. As a history major, I come from a more writing- and reading-intensive critical thinking framework, whereas others come with a more quantitative mindset. It’s really special to see people coming up with these different ideas of how to approach problems.”
CLASSES YOU WILL LOVE
Justice and the Good Life
What do we owe each other?
What makes a life good?
Human Anatomy
Study the body through science, art, and writing.
Hispanic Cinema
Analyze films, then create your own.
(according to our students)
Figure Drawing
Build skills fast through handson practice.
From Collecting to Curating
Design your own exhibit and work with museum professionals.
Economic Theory and Evidence
Use data to explain real-world issues like inequality.
Computer Science for All
Learn how code works and how to think like a programmer.
Making Modern Cities
Study urban life and travel to New York City to present on architecture.
Professor Lydia Hamessley makes a point in her Roots to Country Music class.
A project takes shape in an Intro to Sculpture class.
TAKE CLASSES THAT PULL YOU IN
What learning looks like day to day
Classes feel different when everyone is eager to be there. Thanks to the open curriculum, that’s every course at Hamilton.
Because you and your peers have the freedom to design your education, you take classes with curious, motivated students who are genuinely interested in that topic. They arrive with different experiences and perspectives, but a shared desire to ask questions, test ideas, and learn from one another. An added bonus: Each class is taught by a professor who is an expert in the field and who designed the class just for students like you.
Our small classes will make you a better thinker. They encourage you to listen closely, challenge assumptions, and build on other people’s ideas. The best discussions aren’t about proving who’s right or who knows the most. They’re about asking thoughtful questions, exploring different perspectives, and helping everyone in the room think more deeply. Over time, you’ll discover that some of your best ideas emerge through conversation with others, and often will continue later over lunch at Commons or while walking on Martin’s Way.
Elaine
Fraser Milwaukee, Wisc.
CONCENTRATION: SOCIOLOGY
“I was really overwhelmed by the class options my freshman year. What helped was talking with my academic advisor who guided me.
‘Oh, you’re interested in this. Have you taken a class like this before? Maybe this is something you could try.’”
Students collaborate with an instructor in the Microbiology Lab.
PEOPLE WHO HELP YOU GO FARTHER
How professors, advisors, and mentors guide your growth
One thing you’ll notice quickly about Hamilton is how people show up for one another — and that starts with your professors.
Faculty choose Hamilton because they care deeply about teaching and mentoring students. They’ll know your name, your ideas, and the questions you keep coming back to. What starts as stopping by office hours on a Tuesday might turn into collaborative research, an independent project, or a discussion that changes where you want to go next.
You’ll also have people to guide you as you think about the bigger picture. Before you arrive at Hamilton, you will be assigned an academic advisor and choose an ALEX advisor. ALEX (Advise, Learn, EXperience) is our coordinated network of on-campus academic centers and resources. Your ALEX advisor will help you explore our open curriculum and connect your interests with experiences and opportunities across the College.
100 % OF CLASSES ARE TAUGHT BY FACULTY MEMBERS
9:1
STUDENT:FACULTY RATIO
72 % OF CLASSES HAVE 19 OR FEWER STUDENTS
CENTERS & RESOURCES
The people and spaces students turn to most.
Horowitch Career Center:
Explore career opportunities and tap into our alumni network
Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center and Oral Communication Center:
Develop expert communications skills by honing your voice and writing skills
Levitt Public Affairs Center:
Connect ideas to action through internships, research, and public service
Library & Information
Technology Services:
Access research support, technology, and digital tools to power your work
Days-Massolo Multicultural Center:
Engage with a variety of cultures, identities, and perspectives
Global Learning Office:
Prepare to study off campus and navigate global learning experiences
Blood Fitness Center:
Build healthy habits that support well-being, focus, and overall success
Quantitative & Symbolic Reasoning Center:
Build confidence in data, statistics, and analytical problem-solving
Glen House (Outdoor Leadership Center):
Gather and prepare for leading outdoor adventures both on and off campus
Wellin Museum of Art:
Experience art up close and through a variety of disciplines
Professor Robert Knight instructs photography students on the assembly of 3D-printed medium-format camera bodies in the makerspace in Burke Library.
Professor Saber Ahmed chats with a student outside his office in the Math Department.
AREAS OF STUDY
Africana Studies
American Indian and Indigenous Studies*
American Studies
Anthropology
Arabic**
Archaeology
Art
Art History
Asian Studies (China, India, Japan)
Astronomy*
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemical Physics
Chemistry
Chinese Cinema and Media Studies
Classics (Greek, Latin, Classical Studies)
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Dance and Movement Studies
Data Science
Digital Arts*
East Asian Languages and Literatures
Economics
Education Studies*
English
Environmental Studies
French and Francophone Studies
Geoarchaeology
Geosciences
German, Russian, Italian, Arabic
German Studies
Government
Hebrew**
Hispanic Studies
History
Interdisciplinary Concentration
Italian Studies*
Japanese
Jewish Studies*
Jurisprudence, Law and
Justice Studies*
Latin American and Latine Studies*
Literature and Creative
Writing
Mathematics and
Statistics
Medieval and Renaissance Studies*
Middle East and Islamicate Worlds Studies
Music
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Psychology
Public Policy
Religious Studies
Russian Studies
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics*
Theatre
Women’s and Gender Studies
World Politics
*Minor only
**Language Only
EARLY
ASSURANCE GRADUATE PATHWAYS
Through partnerships with some of the world’s leading universities, Hamilton offers earlier access to graduate programs, opportunities for accelerated timelines, and support both at Hamilton and from our partner institutions while on the Hill.
Partnerships include:
■ Duke University Fuqua School of Business (business, management)
■ Harvard University Graduate School of Education (teacher education)
■ University of Chicago Advanced Scholars Program (humanities and related fields)
■ University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (education administration)
■ Vanderbilt University Master’s in Finance (finance)
■ Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering (computer science/ engineering)
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS
Hamilton offers cooperative programs with partner institutions that enable you to pursue specialized interests beyond what’s available on campus.
■ Columbia University: 3+3 Cooperative Law Program; 3+2 A.B./B.S. Engineering Program
■ Dartmouth College: 2+1+1+1 A.B./B.S. Engineering Program
■ Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: 3+2 A.B./B.S. Engineering Program
■ University of Rochester: School of Medicine & Dentistry
Early Assurance Program for College Sophomores
To see a full list of graduate pathways and affiliated programs, visit hamilton.edu/gradpartners
Know Thyself.
What areas of study most excite you?
What might feel a little intimidating, but you’re really curious about it?
Modern Algebra class.
International Trade Economics class.
French class.
Indigenous Lifeways class.
What’s on your mind? Jot it down.
Alejandro Sosa Hernández
De Pere, Wisc.
CONCENTRATIONS: CREATIVE WRITING, JAPANESE
“The support I receive every day from my friends, coworkers, tutors, and professors keeps me afloat, and it’s what got me through writing a rap introduction for Lin-Manuel Miranda during his recent visit to the Hill. I said no at first — I had never written rap lyrics, let alone performed in front of 5,400 people — but Hamilton teaches you to take a shot, even when you’re not sure you’re ready. I started writing, asked for help from an alum I knew, and we co-wrote the piece and performed it together with two other friends.”
Students explore the cosmos using VR for an astronomy class.
SAY WHAT YOU MEAN
Where writing, communication, and digital fluency impact every field
3,500 + WRITING CENTER CONFERENCES ANNUALLY
150 + WRITING-INTENSIVE COURSES OFFERED EACH YEAR
$ 18,000 + IN PRIZE MONEY AT THE ANNUAL PUBLIC SPEAKING
Whether you’re studying neuroscience, history, computer science, economics, or art, you’ll practice expressing your ideas clearly and thoughtfully. You’ll write often, speak in class, present your work, collaborate with others, and learn how to shape ideas for different audiences and formats.
You’ll also learn how to work thoughtfully in a world shaped by technology and AI. Throughout courses across every discipline, you will explore how digital tools influence the ways we create, communicate, analyze information, and solve problems. Just as importantly, you’ll practice the human skills technology can’t replace as easily: listening closely, asking better questions, understanding other perspectives, and communicating with empathy and clarity.
The goal isn’t just learning what to think. It’s learning how to communicate your thinking in ways that make people take notice and listen. After all, what good is having a great idea if you can’t communicate it effectively?
Writing Center conference.
Students confer with Professor Robert Kantrowitz after a math class.
CREATE SOMETHING THAT’S YOURS … TOGETHER
How research, creative work, and mentorship go beyond the classroom
Some of the most meaningful work happens outside of class in labs, studios, museums, performance spaces, and the field, and you’re often doing it alongside professors who are pursuing questions they care as deeply about as you do.
You might:
■ spend the summer in Italy investigating the temporal knapsack problem with your computer science professor;
■ co-author a paper in a professional journal that explores the psychology behind why people are affected by criminal motive when adjudicating guilt;
■ create an original mural that illustrates history and celebrates a meaningful part of your Hamilton experience; or
■ analyze data to help make the local food bank’s delivery routes more efficient.
Every Hamilton student spends part or all of senior year working on an independent thesis, research project, performance, exhibit, or creative work (known as the Senior Program) that connects the dots between everything you’ve explored. By the time you graduate, you’ll have learned how to ask better questions, work through ideas with others, and create something entirely your own. 180
+
STUDENTS ARE AWARDED RESEARCH STIPENDS EACH SUMMER
Studying how parasites affect the Nothofagus Tree in Chile.
Testing a hypothesis in the lab.
RECENT SENIOR PROGRAM PROJECTS
(a sampling)
Friends and Enemies: TikTok and the Retreat of a Global Internet
The Impact of AI-Generated Film on Media and Creativity
Life Underneath the Paintbrush: An Analysis of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Human Dissections for Art
Private Equity in U.S. Hospitals: Examining the Impact on Access to Care and Financial Performance
Modeling Glioblastoma
Angiogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae
Ethics of Ambiguity
Then and Now: Design-Build Architecture
Empowering Indonesian Muslim Women: The Role of Nahdlatul Ulama in Advancing Gender Equality
What’s on your mind? Jot it down.
What experiences or adventures would help you apply what you learn beyond class?
OFF-CAMPUS STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
(a sampling)
Australia
Boston
China
Costa Rica
Denmark
France
Germany
Hungary
India
Italy
Japan
Jordan
New York City
New Zealand
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Tanzania
United Kingdom
Vietnam
Washington, D.C.
Levitt Center student researchers team up with the Griffiss Institute in Rome, N.Y., to investigate the holistic impact of federal spending on the local economy.
Student and alumni entrepreneurs connect in New York City. Budapest, Hungary.
EXPLORE PLACES YOU NEVER EXPECTED
Where off-campus study connects what you learn to the world around you
60 % OF STUDENTS STUDY OFF CAMPUS FOR AT LEAST ONE SEMESTER
100 + OFF-CAMPUS STUDY OPTIONS
Some experiences stay with you more when they happen in new places and alongside other people. Our students are a great example of that; they study, intern, research, volunteer, and build connections across the U.S., around the world, and right here in the Mohawk Valley.
You can study off campus in Hamilton’s own programs in Spain, France, New York City, or Washington, D.C., or take part in others across the globe. During your time away, you might pursue interests related to public policy, environmental work, language immersion, healthcare, education, or community engagement.
Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain students visit Florence, Italy.
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal.
TURN YOUR IDEAS INTO ACTION
How people come together to ask big questions and make a difference
Some of the most important learning happens when you engage with people, ideas, and communities beyond your own experience. Hamilton offers countless ways to do exactly that.
Common Ground and our Sacerdote Great Names series bring students together with artists, journalists, scholars, activists, and other leaders whose work shapes public conversations. These experiences encourage you to challenge assumptions, exchange ideas, and think more deeply about the issues that matter most.
The Levitt Public Affairs Center connects your learning to action through internships, community-based learning opportunities, research, and public service. Among the center’s most sought-after experiences is the Justice Lab, where a small cohort of students spends a semester examining a single issue through a multitude of lenses by combining coursework from a variety of disciplines with internships, research, and field experiences.
COOP (Community Outreach & Opportunity Project) has partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations that will give you opportunities to mentor young people, take part in alternative spring break trips, lead days of service, and more. By getting involved, you will gain a deeper understanding of the communities around you.
Common Ground speakers David Blight of Yale University, Lucas Morel of Washington & Lee University, and moderator Nina M. Moore of Colgate University discuss the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.
President Barack Obama takes the stage in the College’s Sacerdote Great Names Series.
PAST JUSTICE LAB TOPICS
The Reality of Care: Trade-offs and Tensions in the US Health System
Resilience through Creativity: Imagining New Futures
Energy Transitions: Local and Global
Justice and Safety: Responses to Gun Violence
Inspired Action: Community Building and Social Change
Human Rights and Civil Rights
Immigration and Asylum: Local and Global
Community Health & Wellness
Criminal Justice Reform
Quentin Messer
Royal Oak, Mich.
CONCENTRATION: WORLD POLITICS
“Hamilton is the type of place where if you embrace it, it’ll embrace you and give you tenfold back. I can be highly involved in so many different things, take on leadership roles, still have a rich social life, still have great academics, and not feel like any of that is necessarily incredibly overwhelming or competitive. I can do it at my own pace and chart my own course.”
Women’s Club Rugby.
Students study in Burke Library.
FIND PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP FOR YOU
400 + STUDENTS WORK IN PEER MENTORING OR SUPPORT ROLES
200 + TEAMS, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS
1,600 + STUDENT-RUN EVENTS EACH YEAR
Who you surround yourself with is a big part of your experience, too
There’s no single type of Hamilton student, and that’s part of what makes the community a welcoming one filled with genuinely interesting people. You’ll be surrounded by peers who are ambitious about their work, generous with their ideas, and who care about what you and others are pursuing. People celebrate each other’s performances, presentations, games, art exhibitions, and accomplishments — even when they have nothing to do with their own interests or majors.
You and your classmates will invite each other to club meetings, encourage one another to try something new, and show up for their events on a freezing Thursday night. Because Hamilton is a residential college, much of campus life happens in the everyday moments: a smoothie at Euphoria, late-night conversations in residence halls, studying together in Burke Library, or running into friends while walking across campus.
Spectators cheer at homecoming.
Know Thyself.
What’s on your mind? Jot it down.
What would you want to start, shape, or lead?
Conquering Sawteeth Mountain during 46 Peaks Weekend in the Adirondacks.
Men’s Ultimate Frisbee club team.
Hamilton College Choir welcomes Lin-Manuel Miranda to the stage during the College’s Sacerdote Great Names Series.
GET INVOLVED
IN WHAT EXCITES YOU
ACADEMIC / PRE-PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Classics Club
Coding Team
The Continental Weather Service
Debate Society
Geological Society
The Hamilton Chapter of the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE)
Hamilton Women in Business
Investment Club
Mathletics
Pre-Law Club
Pre-Professional Health Careers Club
ROOTS: Hamilton’s Society for Students of Color in STEM
Society for Physics Students
Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society
Women in Finance
Womxn in STEM
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
African Student Association
Asian Student Union
Black & Latine Student Union
Center for Intersectional Feminism
Disabled Students Network
Feminist of Color Collective
French Club
International Cultural Association
La Vanguardia
Gender & Sexuality Union
German Club
South Asian Student Association
Spanish Club
Teremok Russian Club
FUN & GAMES ORGANIZATIONS
Board Game Club
Card Game Club
Chess Club
Geoguessr Club
Juggling Club
People Who Like To Do Fun Things (PWLTDFT)
Roleplaying Game Club
Super Smash Bros Club
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS ORGANIZATIONS
Action Against Hunger Group
College Democrats
Environmental Justice Action Group
Hamilton Model United Nations
Hamilton Socialists Club
Jewish On Campus at Hamilton Mock Trial
Student Government Alliance
MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Chamber Ensembles
Choir
College Hill Singers
Jazz Combo
Jazz Ensemble
Masterworks Chorale
Orchestra
Wind Ensemble
PERFORMANCE GROUPS
Band Club
Dance Team
Duelly Noted
HEAT
Hogwarts at Hamilton
On Pointe
Open Mic Club
Special K
Student Dance Alliance
Tap That!
The Buffers
The Hamiltones
Tropical Sol
Tumbling After
Under the Hill Comedy Club
Untitled@Large
Yodapez Improv
RECREATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Badminton Club
Basketball Club
Bike Co-op
Bowling Club
Hamilton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club
Hamilton College Robotics
Hamilton Outing Club
Hamilton Rocketry Club
HamTrek
Marathon Canoe Racing Team
Pretty Tough
Running Club!
Scottish Country Dancing
Tennis Club
Volleyball Club
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
Chabad Community on Campus
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Hamilton Christian Fellowship
Hamilton Sikh Students Association
Hillel
Meditation Club
Muslim Students Association
Newman Council
SPECIAL INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS
Anime Club
Athletes of Color Initiative
Campus Activities Board (CAB)
Culinary Club
Emerson Literary Society
Film Club
Finance Club
First Draft
Fraternities
Hamilton’s Closet
Hamilton Consulting Group
Hamilton Herbivores
K-Corner at Hamilton
Know Thy Shelf
Love Your Locs
One Love Club
Philosophy Club
Pottery Club
QuestBridge Scholars Network
Sororities
Star Wars Club
Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC)
The Brothers Organization
STUDENT MEDIA
Green Apple
Red Weather
Signature Style
Suture
The Continental
The Daily Bull
The Duel Observer
The Monitor
The Spectator
The Topical
WHCL Hamilton College Radio
SUSTAINABILITY ORGANIZATIONS
Harvest
Plants @ Hamilton
Slow Food
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
Alternative Breaks (AXB)
HamVotes
HAAND (Hamilton Autism Advocates for Neurodiversity)
HAVOC (Hamilton Association for Volunteering, Outreach, and Charity)
Morgan’s Message
Strong Girls
Wishmakers
1,350 ACRES
$ 369
MILLION INVESTED IN FACILITIES OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS
3.5 MILES OF CAMPUS WALKING TRAILS
Because our campus is a nationally accredited arboretum, living and learning often extends outdoors through classes, research, our reforestation efforts, and the open green spaces around every corner.
MAKE THIS PLACE YOUR OWN
How residence
halls, shared
spaces, and meals bring you and your people together
Our campus at the top of College Hill Road (known affectionately as the Hill) is for more than just taking classes. This is a place where we want you to make yourself at home. It’s where friendships form across interests and backgrounds, and where students shape the culture of the community together.
Over time, the people, spaces, and routines here become part of your everyday life. Students leave their mark on Hamilton in countless ways — starting new traditions, improving campus life, leading organizations, and finding thoughtful ways to make this place even better for the people around them. This is a place that will change you, and you’ll help change it, too.
100 %
29 RESIDENCE HALLS
7
EATERIES, INCLUDING A 1950S-INSPIRED DINER, COFFEE SHOPS, AND AN ON-CAMPUS PUB
Commons Dining Hall.
Bundy Residence Hall.
OF STUDENTS LIVE ON CAMPUS
Howard Diner.
Babbitt Residence Hall.
Outside the Kirkland Green.
YOUR DAYS, YOUR WAY
PROGRAMMING AND PLANTING
BIO250
Biodiversity I did not expect to give back to the Hamiton ecosystem by planting trees, but that’s what we decided upon in our first lab. My favorite part of the class was going out to Root Glen with my lab to plant trees in the rain. Just like what Natasha Bedingfield said, no one else could feel it for me.
What does a day or week at Hamilton look like? It depends on who you ask. With an open curriculum, hundreds of ways to get involved, and a campus full of opportunities, students build schedules that reflect their interests, goals, and curiosities. Some days are carefully planned. Others lead to unexpected discoveries.
Follow Nat around campus to learn about their experiences in classes, spaces, and other everyday moments.
Nat St. Helen
Bronx, N.Y.
CONCENTRATIONS: ART, BIOLOGY
JOINED A MINI ATELIER ARTHW214
South Asian Painting
Because much of art history is often Western-focused, this class was such a breath of fresh air. Coming out of this class, I have a greater understanding of the diverse breadth of South Asian paintings, how to synthesize an analysis paper with my own voice, and how much work goes into creating my own Mughal miniature paintings.
THE COOLER, OLDER SIBLING TO CHEMISTRY
PHYS205
Physics II
While I give chemistry its props for some pretty cool lab experiments, what I most enjoy about physics are examples of principles that can be physically seen in everyday life without having to think about what reagent creates a backside sn1 reaction. Every time I open a door, I can’t help but think about the proper application of torque and free-body diagrams.
Taylor Science Center
Molly Root House
Taylor Science Center
PRETENDING I AM IN A NOIR FILM DEVELOPING FILM
TO SOLVE A CRIME
ART116
Intro to Photography
After taking almost every other tactile media of art (sculpture, painting, animation), I thought photography would be a great change of pace. Finally overcoming the learning curve of the darkroom, the process of developing a roll of film became therapeutic. Like a mad scientist, I worked through countless off-kilter prints by toggling filters, dodging and burning, and accidentally leaving my print too long in the developer to create the perfect photo. Beat that, Instagram.
LIFE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF ROOT RESIDENCE HALL
I get a fabulous view overlooking Kirkland Glen. From watching the sun peek over the row of trees, to watching the deer do their grazing underneath the moonlight, I get to enjoy my own personal slice of Hamilton for an entire year.
GET THAT BLOOD PUMPING
After I realized the Howard Diner staff knew my usual order, I started going to the gym and found that going early sets me up for a productive day. When I’m stressed, nothing beats getting cardio in while reviewing content for class. From the dance room for aerobic/cardio training, weight-training, a multipurpose exercise room, and a three-story climbing wall, I never get bored with my next workout.
PUTTING MY ART MAJOR TO GOOD USE
Hamilton Opportunity Programs
Capturing Opportunity, a 4′ x 7′ painting I completed in 2025, represents a summation of my year-long research project with the Hamilton Opportunity Programs. It illustrates the rich history and impact it has had on the broader Hamilton/ Kirkland community. (I wonder who that could be in the heart glasses? They seem cool.) Hearing from other students and alumni about how much the painting means to them makes me proud to have told that story.
SECOND (AND THIRD) HOME
As the president of one of the organizations under the DaysMassolo Multicultural Center (that little blue house you can’t miss), both the DMC and the Afro-Latin Cultural Center became spaces for me and other students to hang out, learn, and celebrate each other’s differences and strengths. These are the two places that make Hamilton feel like a home to me.
Blood Fitness Center
Root Residence Hall
Kennedy Center for Theatre and the Studio Arts (KTSA)
McEwen Hall
Days-Massolo Multicultural Center (DMC) and the Afro-Latin Cultural Center (ALCC)
PUSH YOURSELF,
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM
Where competition, teamwork, and community meet
Athletics are a big part of life at Hamilton whether you compete on a varsity team, join a club sport, play intramurals with friends, or cheer from the stands. On days where a team is hosting a postseason matchup, students — and professors — pour into the venue, decked out in buff and blue, and cheer at the top of their lungs as the Continentals play for the big win.
Hamilton competes in the NCAA Division III and is a charter member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
29 TEAMS
35 % OF STUDENTS ARE VARSITY ATHLETES
18 INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Football at Steuben Field.
Field Hockey competes on Goodfriend Field.
VARSITY TEAMS
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 and Field, Indoor (m/w)
Track and Field, Outdoor (m/w)
Volleyball (w)
Women’s Rowing on the Erie Canal.
Men’s Lacrosse at Steuben Field.
Women’s Tennis.
Men’s Ice Hockey wins the national championship at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica.
Women’s Ultimate Frisbee club team.
Blood Fitness Center.
Outing Club on Delta Lake.
CONNECT YOUR WAY
Some students arrive knowing exactly what they want to be involved in. Others try something unexpected once they get here. Both are part of life at Hamilton.
With club sports, intramurals, fitness classes, outdoor adventure trips to the Adirondacks, as well as counseling, wellness programming, and peer support, there are plenty of ways to spend your time outside of class and meet people who want to stay healthy, connected, and balanced throughout college.
16 CLUB TEAMS HAVE ROUGHLY
350 PARTICIPANTS
11
INTRAMURALS TEAMS/ TOURNAMENTS WITH
300 PARTICIPANTS
250 +
PARTICIPANTS IN OUR ANNUAL HAMTREK TRIATHLON AND WALK
Pet Therapy session outside Burke Library.
Women’s Club Soccer.
BUILD COMMUNITY,
ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME
Where you feel welcomed is where you will grow most
Some of the most meaningful moments in college happen outside the classroom; they happen in the places where you gather with friends, enjoy new experiences, and build your community. As you explore campus, you will discover spaces that help you feel especially connected to others and, just as importantly, yourself.
DanTe’ya Reedy Houston, Texas
CONCENTRATION: BIOLOGY
“The Days-Massolo Multicultural Center is everything that you need it to be. It is a place for you to feel heard. It is a space for you to learn leadership. It is a safe haven. I personally see the DMC as a home. It’s the place where I learned how to build community — how to create spaces where people feel welcome and supported. The DMC taught me that every space I walk into is a space I deserve to be in.”
Choir workshop in the Schambach Center.
Students celebrate a classmate’s exciting news at the Days-Massolo Multicultural Center.
Relaxing at the Glen House.
Friends meet up at the Taylor Science Center.
PLACES WORTH EXPLORING
2 minutes from your new favorite gelato spot
5 minutes from the best chocolate chip pancakes at Breakfast at Tiffany’s
10 minutes from world-famous half-moon cookies (a Utica original)
15 minutes from a movie night with friends
5-20 minutes from dozens of locally owned restaurants representing cuisines from around the world
20 minutes from a train ride to New York City, Syracuse, Albany, and beyond
25 minutes from one of the nation’s leading cybersecurity and innovation hubs
30 minutes from hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks
35 minutes from skiing, snowboarding, and winter adventures
1 hour from some of the best fly-fishing in the Northeast
No car? The College’s free Jitney service is ready to take you to grab groceries, head to your favorite coffee spot or restaurant, and more. The Clinton-New Hartford Jitney runs every day with stops at Hannaford supermarket, Target, Walmart, and Marquee Cinema. On Saturdays, another Jitney can take you to places throughout Utica.
What makes a new place feel like home to you?
FIND SPACE TO BE YOURSELF
How College Hill and Clinton give you room to explore
If we could design the ideal location for a journey to “Know Thyself,” it would look just like our home on College Hill and Clinton, New York.
Some of your favorite moments during your four years will come from saying yes to new opportunities, exploring new interests, and meeting new people. Others will come from quieter moments like taking a walk through our Root Glen (a regional attraction), finding a favorite study spot, or spending time in a place that gives you room to think and reflect.
That’s part of what makes Clinton unique. Perched up on the hill above the village, Hamilton offers activities and events around the clock, the space to reflect, and the kind of people all around you who will help you grow. Clinton may have some cold and snowy winters, but it’s better known for warm and friendly shop owners, local businesses, familiar faces, and a community that quickly becomes part of your routine. Over time, the places you study, walk, gather, and return to again and again — and the people you enjoy those adventures with — become part of how you experience Hamilton and how you come to better understand yourself.
Hamilton’s Root Glen.
Students stroll past the locally owned shops and restaurants — known as “the Row” — in downtown Clinton.
TAKE YOUR CURIOSITIES DOWNTOWN
How you’ll explore opportunities throughout the Mohawk Valley
Beyond College Hill, the Mohawk Valley offers opportunities to explore new interests, gain experience, build connections, and see your learning in action. Students intern with local organizations, conduct research with community partners, attend cultural events, discover new favorite restaurants, hike nearby trails, and work alongside people making a difference throughout the region.
From the arts and healthcare to entrepreneurship, public service, and environmental research, you will find countless ways to connect what you’re learning to the world around you. Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of both the region and the role you want to play in it.
Audrey Alix
Glen Ridge, N.J.
CONCENTRATION: GEOSCIENCES
“While at Hamilton, I received an Emerson Grant for a GIS [Geographic Information Systems] project that included studying and mapping trees and parks in Utica. That’s when I realized there’s this really cool city nearby that has a lot going for it. That research and the people I met during it led to getting a job as a city planner for Utica. This city has everything that I need, and I’m saying that as one of its newest residents. I love it here. And why would I sever all these amazing connections that I’ve made?”
A student performs during the Poetry Contest in Utica.
The Hamilton men’s hockey team partners with the Utica Urban Revitilization Project to plant trees and offset travel emissions.
WHAT TO DO CLOSE TO CAMPUS
Hike, ski, camp, fish, and kayak in the Adirondack Park
Order chicken riggies and Utica greens (a must-have!)
Slide a stone at the Utica Curling Club
Get tickets to a musical at Utica’s famed Stanley Theatre
Attend a professional hockey game at the Utica “Aud”
Bike, walk, or run along the Erie Canal on the 750-mile Empire State Trail
Shop at unique locally owned boutiques and major retailers
Visit Munson fine arts center in Utica’s Arts District
Dine at one of the many authentic cultural restaurants
Hit the links at one of the four local nationally renowned PGA golf courses
Run in the Boilermaker, the nation’s largest 15K road race
Audrey Alix at Utica City Hall.
Students celebrate the opening of their exhibition, Constellations, at Munson in Utica.
CAREER-RELATED PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
Career Communities: You’ll be connected to resources, opportunities, and a community of peers and alumni around shared career interests and goals. Communities include: finance and consulting; arts and culture; health; business and entrepreneurship; education and social impact; communications and media; government and law; and science, technology, and analytics.
Employer-in-Residence Program: Expert alumni engage directly with you during dinners, 1:1 conversations, workshops, and hands-on exercises. You will have direct access to an industry expert and receive actionable feedback on ideas.
LevelUp Series: A skill-building series designed to prepare you for real-world career demands through hands-on workshops and industry-led training.
Pre-Professional Finance Program: A multi-year program of skill-building, mentoring, and networking experiences to prepare you for competitive finance careers and internships.
Know Thyself: Dive into self-discovery at this annual event and explore how your interests and passions can shape your major(s) and career choices.
Senior Launch Lab: A series of interactive workshops on topics like goal setting, personal branding, networking, and interviewing that ensures you have the skills, confidence, and support needed to launch your next chapter.
New York City Networking Night: Hear from and connect with alumni and parents working across diverse industries during a panel discussion and networking event.
Special Advising: Hamilton offers special advising for postgraduate national fellowship competitions, as well as preprofessional programs and careers such as health professions, law, engineering, and teaching.
Internship at Goldman Sachs (New York City)
80 % OF STUDENTS ENGAGE WITH THE CAREER CENTER DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR
250 + EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND MORE OFFERED BY THE CAREER CENTER ANNUALLY
175 + STUDENTS RECEIVE INTERNSHIP FUNDING EACH SUMMER
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP FROM DAY ONE
How career support, alumni connections, and experiences help you move forward
At Hamilton, career exploration begins as soon as you arrive thanks to the experts in the Horowitch Career Center. Throughout your first year, you will have the opportunity to connect with professional career coaches, peer mentors, alumni, and parents. Those conversations happen everywhere – during orientation, in classes, at club meetings and team events, and more, and through one-onone conversations about what inspires you.
Our Career Center’s staff goal is simple: bring you together with students, alumni, and experts who share your interests and help you discover opportunities that excite you and feel like a good fit.
Internship at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital (Syracuse, N.Y.).
Internship at Oneida County Historical Society (Utica, N.Y.).
CHECK OUT WHERE HAMILTON CAN TAKE YOU
Where curiosity, purpose, and opportunity lead
The most important questions rarely have simple answers, and the challenges facing communities around the world usually don’t fit neatly within a single discipline or perspective. Both require people who can connect ideas, communicate across differences, navigate complexity, and work with others to solve problems and move ideas forward. That’s where a Hamilton education comes in.
The experience here is designed to be about a lot more than what you study. Through classes, research, internships, campus leadership, living with peers, and experiences beyond College Hill, you’ll learn how to think deeply, collaborate effectively, and turn curiosity into action. Along the way, you’ll discover not only what interests you, but what matters to you and how you want to contribute.
The result is illustrated by where Hamilton graduates go and the impact they make once they get there.
94 %
WERE EMPLOYED OR ENROLLED IN GRADUATE SCHOOL WITHIN NINE MONTHS OF GRADUATING
95 %
COMPLETED AT LEAST ONE CAREER-RELATED EXPERIENCE
1IN 5
COMPLETED FOUR OR MORE CAREER-RELATED EXPERIENCES
Students walk in front of the Chapel.
A Hamilton tradition: standing on the Bronze Map after graduating.
What kinds of work or ideas make you lose track of time? Know Thyself. What’s on your mind? Jot it down.
WHERE ARE OUR RECENT GRADS?
Yale University
Deutsche Bank
Imperial College London
Adobe
Boston Children’s Hospital
University of Chicago
Peace Corps
The National Institute on Drug Abuse
Dartmouth College
Nike
Parsons (Paris)
University of Pennsylvania
RECENT INTERNSHIPS
Library of Congress
JPMorgan Chase
NFL
Juneau Icefield Research Program
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
WKTV-Utica
New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance
Microsoft
Brown Brothers Harriman
TikTok
AppleTV
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Masonic Medical Research Institute
Square Product Theatre
ALUMNI WHOSE WORK YOU MAY KNOW
Their concentrations (majors) are noted in parentheses.
STORIES & SCREENS
1. Netflix: Marc Randolph ’81 co-founded the company and served as its first CEO. (Geology)
2. Throne of Glass: Sarah J. Maas ’08 began writing stories at Hamilton long before her fantasy novels became a global phenomenon. (Creative Writing)
3. Broadway Producer: Eric Kuhn ’09 is a three-time Tony Award winner whose productions include Oklahoma!, The Inheritance, and A Strange Loop (Government)
4. “The Horror Queen”: Heidi Wong ’20 built an audience of millions through her horror storytelling and creative content, earning spots on the TIME ’s “ 100 Creators” list and Forbes’ “30 Under 30”. (Creative Writing, Art)
REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS
5. Mastercard: Karl Hinkle, Class of 1927, devised this unique charge system, first known as Master Charge, to compete with Visa.
6. Cleaner Water: While still students, Ellie Sangree ’24 and Jesse Wexler ’24 co-founded Eutrobac, a company developing technology that helps reduce pollution in waterways.
(Environmental Studies; Interdisciplinary Studies)
7. Helping People Fight Disease: William McLaren Bristol, Class of 1882, and John Myers, Class of 1887, purchased the failing
Clinton Pharmaceutical Co., located down the hill from Hamilton, the same year Myers graduated. Today it is known as the global biopharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb.
GAME-CHANGERS
8. Mittens, the Viral Chess Cat: During an internship, Will Whalen ’23 helped create the wildly popular Chess.com bot that became an internet sensation and defeated millions of players around the globe. (World Politics)
9. How We Understand Behavior: Psychologist and National Medal of Science recipient B.F. Skinner, Class of 1926, became one of the most influential thinkers in modern psychology, shaping how people understand learning, behavior, and motivation. (English Literature)
10. Advancing Civil Rights: As senior director of civil rights and legal strategies with GLAAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders), Mary Bonauto ’83 helped bring landmark civil rights cases before the nation’s highest courts, expanding legal protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. (Comparative Literature, History)
11. Business & Finance Leadership: David Solomon ’84 serves as chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s leading financial institutions. (Government)
problems do you want to help solve?
Sarah J. Maas ’08.
Marc Randolph ’81. 2. 1.
YOUR IDEAS CAN GO
24,000+
4,600+
How Hamilton alumni have shaped fields, communities, and the world
One thing students discover at Hamilton is that “knowing yourself” is a lifelong process.
~300
New experiences, new challenges, and new relationships continue to shape who you are and what matters to you. The people around you play an important role in that journey by helping you see new possibilities, ask better questions, and imagine paths you hadn’t considered. That’s one reason that the Hamilton alumni network is so powerful. Long after graduation, Hamiltonians continue to open doors, share advice, create opportunities, and help one another navigate what’s next.
Hamilton alumni use what they’ve learned about themselves — their interests, values, strengths, and sense of purpose — to make meaningful contributions in every imaginable field. Some have become household names. Most are making a difference in their communities, professions, and organizations every day. Learn more about our alumni: hamilton.edu/after/alumni
Heidi Wong ’20.
ALUMNI
ALUMNI WITH CEO, PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, OWNER, FOUNDER, DIRECTOR, OR SIMILAR TITLES
ALUMNI AND PARENTS WHO ENGAGE WITH CAREER CENTER PROGRAMMING EACH YEAR
Ellie Sangree ’24 and Jesse Wexler ’24.
Will Whalen ’23.
6.
JUST THE FACTS
Hamilton College is located in Clinton, N.Y., 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.
2,000 STUDENTS FROM
50 U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES
57 COUNTRIES
1,211 HIGH SCHOOLS
29 %
U.S. STUDENTS OF COLOR
8 % INTERNATIONAL CITIZENS
15 % FIRST GENERATION IN THEIR FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE ROUGHLY
96 % RETURN FOR SOPHOMORE YEAR
90% SIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (among the highest in the U.S.)
HOW TO APPLY
Financial Aid
Only a small number of colleges and universities in the country can either meet 100% of every accepted student’s demonstrated financial need or admit the most qualified students regardless of their family’s ability to pay. We do both
97% of families earning up to $300,000 per year, with typical assets, qualify for financial aid.
Learn more: hamilton.edu/finaid
Ways to Apply
EARLY DECISION
■ For students who know that Hamilton is their first choice
■ Deadlines: Mid-November, Early January
REGULAR DECISION
■ Deadline: Early January
JANUARY ADMISSION
■ Spend a semester exploring yourself and your interests.
■ Immerse yourself in a new culture through our partner programs in the UK, Italy, Argentina, and beyond, or work, volunteer, and gain real-world experience.
■ Deadline: Early January
■ All applicants are considered for January Admission.
Learn more: hamilton.edu/apply
Come Meet Us!
Get to know us better — and help us get to know you! — by scheduling a visit. Here is a sampling of the visit opportunities we offer:
■ Information Sessions
■ Student-Led Tours
■ Personal Interviews
■ Hamilton Saturdays
■ Open Houses/Special Programs
Can’t make it to campus? Our virtual event options include a live student-led “Tour from Your Sofa,” online information sessions, Virtual Tours, and more. hamilton.edu/visit
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 that prohibit discrimination. The Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the College’s efforts to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments 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 for accessibility resources, 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 New England Commission of Higher Education, 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Burlington, MA 01803; (781)-425-7785.
August 2026
Contact Information
Hamilton College
Admission and Financial Aid Office
Siuda House
198 College Hill Road
Clinton, NY 13323
hamilton.edu
ADMISSION
315-859-4421
800-843-2655
FAX 315-859-4457
hamilton.edu/admission
FINANCIAL AID
315-859-4434
800-859-4413
FAX 315-859-4962
hamilton.edu/finaid
SOCIAL MEDIA
instagram.com/hamiltoncollege instagram.com/hamiltonadmission facebook.com/hamiltoncollege youtube.com/hamiltoncollege tiktok.com/@hamiltoncollege x.com/hamiltoncollege
