About

See what students say:

Academics

Virginia’s Hampden-Sydney College is the tenth oldest higher education institution in the country, providing young men with a liberal arts education steeped in brotherhood and tradition. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows for small classes, one-on-one instruction, and scads of experiential learning opportunities such as cooperative learning and student research. The Rhetoric program is the cornerstone of a Hampden-Sydney education, instilling students with the “clear and concise oral and written communication skills” that stand out to employers and graduate schools; it follows that the school emphasizes that “freedom of expression is very important” and ensures that “students are able to ask difficult questions and discuss them honestly.” Because of this, the college is “one of the best places to develop one’s ability to think” and to “learn how a different lens of study changes how one digests and processes information.” The “career center and alumni connections are…outstanding” and “having alumni invested in you and your future really makes a difference.”

The student-professor connection at Hampden-Sydney is “the real deal,” and students can tell that faculty “invest so much time and care into their students…it is clear that they became professors to teach.” It helps that courses also keep things fresh with “whole class debates, demonstrations, and historical games.” One student says: “One of my classes was based solely on acting out management positions and seeing the psychology play out in real time.” While the core curriculum may feel rigid to a few, most come to appreciate the “wide variety of fields” required and even things like “mandatory attendance policies,” as they lead to “more face time between professors and students, which translates to better learning.” This also enables each class to have “academically stimulating conversations,” also described as “in-depth and purposeful,” and helps the professors to “keep the student’s interest at the forefront of the lessons.”

Student Body

The promise of brotherhood rings true at Hampden-Sydney, as “everyone watches out for you and there is always someone who is willing to help.” This is “a very intellectually stimulating and unfiltered environment” where “anyone can truly say any belief without fear of censorship, provided that the beliefs are extended in good faith.” This “group of the most thoughtful young men” all adhere to “an excellent Honor Code and Code of Conduct” and come “from all over the nation with all different backgrounds and upbringings.” There are “a good amount of extroverts [and] athletes” in this “very intellectual student body,” and enrollees strike “the perfect balance between scholars, athletes, servants of the community, and rowdy college-aged men.” A “real great spirit of unity” runs among students, who “make connections with others constantly.”

Campus Life

Classes are typically held back-to-back before lunch, after which students “either head to their dorm, the Rhetoric Center, the library, the Tiger Inn, or some other location to study and/or hang out with friends.” Since the dining hall is the only food option on campus and there are only 800 undergraduates, “you are bound to run into someone you know, and it is not uncommon to have ten crowd around a tiny round table.” The UnionPhilanthropic Literary Society (“more or less a weekly debate society”) is a popular club, and “on any given day people can be seen going for runs, playing various sports on the lawns around the college, fishing, and even just sleeping under trees between classes.”

Though the campus itself is somewhat isolated and provides “limited options on what you can do… that doesn’t mean that we don’t have fun.” There are “fraternities and parties that are available to anyone who wants to participate,” and “intramurals are popular along with varsity athletics” (lacrosse and rugby especially). Since “everyone lives on campus, people have no trouble getting together,” and “everyone tailgates football games, which is the highlight of the fall.”

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Rachel Napier
Campus Visit Coordinator

Address
Office of Admissions
PO Box 667
Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943

Phone
434-223-6120

Email
admissions@hsc.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Bortz Library
Brown Student Center
Kirk Athletic Center/Hall of Fame
Kirby Fieldhouse (athletic facility)
Campus Museum
The Birthplace of the College is the oldest building on campus (constructed in 1750), and is located behind the President's Office.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
High Bridge Trail
Longwood University
cities of Charlottesville, Richmond, and Lynchburg
Appomattox Court House and other Area Civil War Landmarks
Historic downtown Farmville
Other popular visits include the numerous area women's colleges, Briary Creek Reservoir, four state parks within 20 miles of campus, Sandy River Outdoor Adventures, Moton musem, Civil Rights trail,

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: 9-3:30 Mon-Friday, 9-noon Saturdays during open houses
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Not Available

Times

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Advance Notice
2 weeks

Contact Email Address for Visit
kjacobs@hsc.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
airports in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond, VA train in Lynchburg and Richmond, VA Greyhound Bus service to Farmville, VA

Driving Instructions to Campus
campus located 3 miles south of Farmville, VA for driving directions see our Web site: http://www.hsc.edu/about-h-sc/visit-h-sc

Local Accommodations
http://www.hsc.edu/about-h-sc/visit-h-sc

Admissions

Applicants: 2,911
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average HS GPA: 3.53







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