Hamilton is a small liberal arts college on a rural campus of 1,350 acres to the southwest of the Adirondack Mountains in New York. Hamilton is known for rigorous academics, high expectations of student writing and speaking ability, and an open curriculum that lets you explore what you want. The college has very few requirements, as there is no core curriculum or distribution requirements, so students can dive into their passions without limitations. The school motto is “Know Thyself,” and they demand introspection, but it also has a global outlook. Two-thirds of students do study abroad, and they come from 47 states and 51 countries. The acceptance rate is 11.8%.
Once you get to Hamilton, you’ll have access to ALEX, or “Advise, Learn, EXperience,” a network of on-campus academic resources and centers that support students with tutoring, writing support, speaking training, advising, and mentorship. This leads to lots of opportunities even before graduation. 84% of students leave Hamilton having had at least two internships. They don’t put a ton of weight in standardized tests, though. Hamilton does not require the ACT or SAT, and it’s your choice whether to submit or not.
If a school that demands your best as an intellectual is exciting to you, send us an email. Hamilton may be your perfect match.
Hamilton really emphasizes writing skills for their students, so the words in your application really matter. They feel this so strongly that the college makes previously successful essays available for you to view online. You should absolutely read them before you begin drafting your own essays and supplements. Once you’ve read them, remember to fill out the basic questions for Hamilton in the Common App. The supplement does not show up until after you’ve filled out those questions, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see them at first.
Now that all that is in order, it’s time to write start writing your two supplements!
Please take this opportunity to write about your interest in Hamilton and why you believe it is a place where you can thrive. Be open. Be honest. Be brief. (200 word maximum)
You don’t have a ton of space for the Hamilton “why us?” essay, so you will need to make the most of the room you have an be super specific. Remember, you are applying to Hamilton to get an education — so academics matter most here.
Start with a short story that introduces your area of focus in a way that connects with the Hamilton curriculum, philosophy, and methodology. If you want to major in history, you might lead into this supplement with an experience you had engaging with history in person, such as seeing an exhibit at a museum, visiting a historic site, or seeing history happen in real-time. You’ll then use that introductory story to launch into your concentration (major).
After naming your prospective concentration, share 1-2 classes you’re excited to take in your major as well as a professor you’d like to study under — and why. Perhaps they teach classes you’re curious about, or are doing research that you would love to be involved with. Then, pull back and mention one or two other subjects you are excited to pursue at Hamilton, mentioning the power of the open curriculum to empower you to explore.
Finally, pull back to look at Hamilton in a more zoomed-out way. Mention something about the Hamilton culture or academic program that specifically excite you, such as the honor code, or being part of a community that prioritizes writing and speaking skills.
We each bring different backgrounds and perspectives, and we teach one another about the world through our individual and shared experiences. How will Hamilton shape your perspective, and how will your perspective shape Hamilton? (200 word maximum)
Hamilton cares deeply about what every student brings to the table — and this prompt is about that. But the first sentence could make you think that this prompt is just asking for where you come from, and what has shaped you. However, the second sentence clarifies that they’re just, or even more, interested in where you are going.
To do all of this in just 200 words, you’ll need to start with a short story that shares a character trait, or culture-focused anecdote that speaks to your background. This story should be positive, as you’ll then need to transition into how this will be part of your experience at Hamilton — both in how Hamilton will shape you, and how you’ll shape Hamilton. For example, if you come from a community of Hmong in Northern California, you may write about a particular aspect of your cultural practice. Being at Hamilton, somewhere far from that practice, will shape how you engage with the world, and sharing bits of your culture will undoubtedly shape Hamilton.
The story you focus on here doesn’t need to be, and really shouldn’t be, big. Rather, look for something small, and include as much detail as you can. The details you include here will provide nuance, color, and dynamism to your story, and will make the reader all the more excited to have you on campus.
The Hamilton supplement isn’t long, but since the college is so writing-centric, we advise getting started well ahead of time to leave room for drafting and editing. Remember that they care deeply about the written word, so use stories to lead the way, showing — not telling — who you are and what you’d bring to their campus.
If Hamilton sounds amazing to you, send us an email. We support students in gaining admission to their dream schools.