火爆社区

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, 鈥渁s it allows for experimentation in different fields of study.鈥� As one student explains, 鈥渢he open curriculum gives you freedom and responsibility over what and how you want to learn.鈥� Another undergrad notes that students 鈥渁re very engaged [in their classes] since they chose to be there rather than doing it for a core requirement.鈥� The college is 鈥渁 living and learning community where learning happens outside the classroom.鈥� Students relate that some of their most memorable educational experiences include visiting 鈥渢he Glen for investigation for a bio class,鈥� taking 鈥渇ield trips to New York City and Utica, volunteering in [the] local Early Childhood Center,鈥� and even 鈥渕aking music with programming hardware components in the computer.鈥� Many consider small class sizes to be another benefit of attending Hamilton鈥斺�渘ot only because your professors are available鈥�but also because you get to know other students in your classes very well.鈥� Professors at Hamilton are 鈥渧ery engaged in the material and make class enjoyable.鈥� They also 鈥渕ake their expectations clear鈥� and 鈥渨ill challenge students to produce reasonable yet impassioned results.鈥� Such 鈥渧ery accessible and kind鈥� attention from the professors emphasizes the Hamilton experience: a place that takes an interest in how 鈥渟tudents are doing both in and out of the classroom.鈥�

Students describe their Hamilton peers in the highest of terms: 鈥渁ll active citizens鈥� who are 鈥渋ntelligent, engaged, thoughtful, hard-working, community-oriented, capable, athletic, and charitable.鈥� Overall, students are 鈥渋ncredibly engaged in community events such as sports, fundraisers, workshops, and speaking engagements.鈥� There is a wide variety of students at Hamilton. Those who 鈥渂alance Greek life and varsity sports teams鈥� as well as 鈥渟tudents who spend their Friday nights playing D&D (Dungeons and Dragons).鈥� One trait they all seem to share is that they are hard workers who enjoy the 鈥渆stablished academic culture,鈥� where it is 鈥渃ool to be smart and care about the work you do.鈥� Hamilton students are described as 鈥渄edicated, hard-working, happy,鈥� and 鈥済enuinely curious people who listen.鈥� As one student sums it up: People here are 鈥渟mart but not competitive.鈥�

Set atop a hill and among corn fields, Hamilton has a 鈥渜uintessential small, communal, and progressive liberal arts feel鈥� that its students and staff love. Hamilton affords students endless opportunities to form friendships and try new things, thanks to the school鈥檚 鈥渋ncredible array of student clubs and organizations on campus,鈥� led by dedicated students. On weekends and evenings, 鈥渢here are a lot of bingo, trivia, sports watch parties, and concerts鈥� plus performances courtesy of the 鈥渟tudent-choreographed dance troupes and a cappella groups.鈥� Students definitely enjoy a party, although attendance is 鈥減retty optional.鈥� One student notes, 鈥渋f you鈥檙e an active student, Hamilton is a great place to be,鈥� as many students enjoy skiing, rock climbing, and 鈥渞uns in our massive glen.鈥� It鈥檚 not all go-go-go, though鈥攕elf-care is crucial, and Hamilton has a Health & Wellness Center, which includes a Counseling Center. Says one student, 鈥淭here are many resources on campus for mental wellness,鈥� and also 鈥渕any initiatives for students to be aware of these resources.鈥� When the weather is favorable, students 鈥渞ead outside, or play spikeball on the quad,鈥� or gather with friends in the 鈥淎dirondack chairs scattered around campus.鈥� Students have the sense that 鈥渆veryone really wants to be here, which is really valuable and contributes to the vibe on campus.鈥�

The Career Center (with its more than 70 student employees!) is available for general advising as well as r茅sum茅 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: 鈥淓veryone gets internships here, and there are a lot of workshops 鈥� to help you find and apply to all sorts of jobs and programs,鈥� says one. Indeed, 90 percent of seniors graduate with experience from at least one internship. Students note that the professors provide 鈥渁 lot of opportunities to network and work on career-building skills,鈥� such as thinking critically and developing meaningful connections. These are 鈥渟kills [that] will carry anyone who capitalizes on [them] to success.鈥� 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.