Hamilton College (HC)

At Hamilton College in upstate New York, students design their own academic paths through an open curriculum, selecting courses that reflect their interests with guidance from multiple advisors. Students enjoy the open curriculum, “as it allows for experimentation in different fields of study.” As one student explains, “the open curriculum gives you freedom and responsibility over what and how you want to learn.” Another undergrad notes that students “are very engaged [in their classes] since they chose to be there rather than doing it for a core requirement.” The college is “a living and learning community where learning happens outside the classroom.” Students relate that some of their most memorable educational experiences include visiting “the Glen for investigation for a bio class,” taking “field trips to New York City and Utica, volunteering in [the] local Early Childhood Center,” and even “making music with programming hardware components in the computer.” Many consider small class sizes to be another benefit of attending Hamilton—“not only because your professors are available…but also because you get to know other students in your classes very well.” Professors at Hamilton are “very engaged in the material and make class enjoyable.” They also “make their expectations clear” and “will challenge students to produce reasonable yet impassioned results.” Such “very accessible and kind” attention from the professors emphasizes the Hamilton experience: a place that takes an interest in how “students are doing both in and out of the classroom.”

Students describe their Hamilton peers in the highest of terms: “all active citizens” who are “intelligent, engaged, thoughtful, hard-working, community-oriented, capable, athletic, and charitable.” Overall, students are “incredibly engaged in community events such as sports, fundraisers, workshops, and speaking engagements.” There is a wide variety of students at Hamilton. Those who “balance Greek life and varsity sports teams” as well as “students who spend their Friday nights playing D&D (Dungeons and Dragons).” One trait they all seem to share is that they are hard workers who enjoy the “established academic culture,” where it is “cool to be smart and care about the work you do.” Hamilton students are described as “dedicated, hard-working, happy,” and “genuinely curious people who listen.” As one student sums it up: People here are “smart but not competitive.”

Set atop a hill and among corn fields, Hamilton has a “quintessential small, communal, and progressive liberal arts feel” that its students and staff love. Hamilton affords students endless opportunities to form friendships and try new things, thanks to the school’s “incredible array of student clubs and organizations on campus,” led by dedicated students. On weekends and evenings, “there are a lot of bingo, trivia, sports watch parties, and concerts” plus performances courtesy of the “student-choreographed dance troupes and a cappella groups.” Students definitely enjoy a party, although attendance is “pretty optional.” One student notes, “if you’re an active student, Hamilton is a great place to be,” as many students enjoy skiing, rock climbing, and “runs in our massive glen.” It’s not all go-go-go, though—self-care is crucial, and Hamilton has a Health & Wellness Center, which includes a Counseling Center. Says one student, “There are many resources on campus for mental wellness,” and also “many initiatives for students to be aware of these resources.” When the weather is favorable, students “read outside, or play spikeball on the quad,” or gather with friends in the “Adirondack chairs scattered around campus.” Students have the sense that “everyone really wants to be here, which is really valuable and contributes to the vibe on campus.”

The Career Center (with its more than 70 student employees!) is available for general advising as well as résumé and cover letter guidance. The center encourages students to first explore all of their interests and options through self-assessment modules. After that, students can research internship opportunities, network via the My Hamilton Connect alumni portal, and speak with other students about their own internship experiences via the Hamilton Internship Peer Network (HPIN). And students always have something to share in that regard: “Everyone gets internships here, and there are a lot of workshops … to help you find and apply to all sorts of jobs and programs,” says one. Indeed, 90 percent of seniors graduate with experience from at least one internship. Students note that the professors provide “a lot of opportunities to network and work on career-building skills,” such as thinking critically and developing meaningful connections. These are “skills [that] will carry anyone who capitalizes on [them] to success.” Payscale.com reports that Hamilton alumni make a median starting salary of $72,500, and 52 percent report that they find a great deal of meaning in their job.