@Perspephone12, congratulations on your son’s admittance. There is some talk about Jans (that’s what they call students admitted for January at Hamilton) on the “Hamilton College ED Class of 2024” thread here (link provided below). Some good information from others who were Jans and I added some information from students I know. Being a Jan is a little unconventional but in the long run it doesn’t seem to be a negative to the entire Hamilton experience.
My DD was admitted and is thrilled, but we have not been to campus 
3.95 GPA, 31 ACT, had an alumni in person interview that went really well, did not do the optional essay. Lots of leadership and good ECs.
My son was waitlisted. 31 ACT and 97 GPA, with a few decent EC’s (primarily varsity sports). We visited and he had an interview that seemed to go well. We’ve seen Hamilton as a reach, so not a big surprise or terrible disappointment. He’ll stay on the WL for now. Presently Trinity with a $25k merit award is probably his top choice, but still waiting on Colgate, Bucknell, Wesleyan, Tufts, and Lafayette.
Waitlisted.
(Gonna give details with ranges)
Sociology
ACT 34-36, GPA 3.9-4.0/4.6-4.8
CA
Pretty much every AP I could take. I didn’t take 6 classes every semester though; I only did 5.
EC’s: Average for people in my area.
Common App Essay: 9/10
Didn’t do optional interview or essay.
LORs: Above Average (Teacher), Above Average (Volunteer Manager), and Average (Counselor, I go to a big school)
Didn’t show demonstrated interest.
Good luck to everyone for their remaining decisions!
Hi I was accepted with a 3.94UW, a 33 ACT, a 5 in AP Lang and a 3 in Chem. I had really good EC that demonstrated my knowledge of physics which was what my personalized paragraph was about. I did the interview and it went really well and I didn’t do the optional essay. I also have a strong hook.
After I got accepted I looked up more info on Hamilton and fell in love with it. My only concern is I haven’t been able to find much info on the strength of the physics program and grad school acceptances since my eventual goal is MIT for my PhD. I would love to know any info you have regarding their program beyond the classes, and the one on one experience so I can seal the deal. Especially when comparing their program to Haverford which I’ve also been accepted to.
It is much appreciated!
@user_8909073: If you are familiar with the Apker Award, you already know that it represents the most prestigious national recognition for undergraduate research in physics. A Hamilton physics major appeared among the six finalists in a recent year. You can safely infer that your interest in physics would be fully supported at Hamilton, including through your application to graduate schools. Note as well that physics is popular at Hamilton compared to many other colleges, with 15 recent graduating majors, along with a very high 36 majors in the supporting field of mathematics.
https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/elise-lepage-18-an-apker-physics-award-finalist
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Hamilton&s=all&id=191515#programs
Hi everyone, I have a question. I was admitted as a Jan. The financial aid letter explained that they won’t be telling me my full financial aid package (with my family’s demonstrated need considered) until after I have made my deposit. My current financial letter only includes money from FAFSA, nothing from Hamilton. Does anyone have experience with this? I think we might call to get an estimate. I just don’t want to be in a lot of debt, but I really really would love to attend.
Might be a blessing considering the pandemic! I have a bad feeling that the start of all classes might be delayed, at least for the east coast/west coast colleges.
This year has the strongest competition in history according to feedback from many top schools this year. Please do not feel bad as we should move on with another great school.
I know this is way late, but my S was also accepted. He also got offers from Colgate and Colby, neither of which is sticking him with loans. But of the three, we’ve been most impressed with Hamilton’s post-admit efforts to reach out. He also wants to go pre-Med. Clicking around, it looks like H may have the edge over the two Cs.
Is it even worth the effort to call Hamilton to see if they might negotiate a comparable package? As it now stands, he would graduate from the other two with no debt, whereas there is no guarantee that Hamilton won’t increase his loans over time.
I kind of think H may be slightly better academically. But I don’t think they’re (possibly) 20K (over 4 years) better.
@Elsastre, absolutely call Hamilton and ask. They will usually negotiate these things. Especially if you show them the packages from Colgate and Colby. Unfortunately Hamilton’s endowment, live everyone’s, just took a huge hit so who knows how much more leeway they have to offer more right now.
All 3 are great schools. Don’t think you could go wrong with any of the 3. My older son loved Colby and Hamilton and the 2 seemed very similar. My younger son loved Hamilton and Colgate, which to me are a little different. So I’m very familiar with all 3 schools.
Congrats to your S. Good luck on the decision. Nice to have such good options!
Hamilton’s typical M.O. is to only include the subsidized part of the federal direct loans in the financial aid package. Max subsized loans are as follows: 1st year, $3,500; 2nd year, $4,500; subsequent years, $5,500.
Since these loans are subsidized, the time-value of the amount borrowed may be less than $20,000.
Thank you all for this. I did reach out to Hamilton and I do believe that the present offer would end up being under 20K debt after four years.
If we appeal Hamilton’s offer to try to get a package more comparable to the other two schools, it will only be because we want to commit to Hamilton. We’re not there yet–but moving in that direction.
Anyone want to make the case for Hamilton being a stronger option (than Colgate or Colby) for someone with a math/bio focus looking to go to medical school? My own research suggests that it might be, and of the three, Hamilton’s open curriculum and strong focus on writing may make that extra debt worth it.
No liberal arts college is recognized more highly than Hamilton for preparation in writing:
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/writing-programs
Hamilton (only) from your son’s choices appears in a Princeton Review sampling, “Great Schools for Mathematics Majors.”
In a friendly, but extremely challenging mathematics competition, Hamilton has consistently outperformed Colgate in recent years:
https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/mathletics-team-second-snow-bowl-win
D20 just received her dorm assignment: Wertimer. She is crushed. She was hoping for North or South, or even Keane or Dunham. Anyone have any positive information I can pass along to make her assignment seem even a tiny bit better?
Hello, @ProfSD , my son is a junior. He never stayed in Wertimer (Dunham and then Bundy) but will be in Carnegie this year. He was stressing about the room assignment because he really wanted to end up with his friends. All I can say is that this year will be vastly different from my son’s two previous years at Hamilton. It’s not going to be a “normal” year. I’ve told my son that he has to roll with the punches, follow the rules and make the best of it. I’m sure your daughter will be fine in Wertimer after she arrives and settles in! Please feel free to PM me with any questions. Welcome to Hamilton!
Among several desirable attributes that can be associated with Wertimer House, its aesthetic qualities would make it an excellent subject for a drawing-class assignment. And, since it’s reserved for first-year students, it would seem to form its own center with respect to social activities.
https://www.hamilton.edu/campuslife/where-to-live/residence-halls/wertimer
I asked my son who just graduated. He said Wertimer is beautiful inside, probably the best looking dorm at Hamilton. It also has the best common rooms to hang out in. He also said that freshmen there usually form very close friendships because of those comfortable common areas. With the restrictions on campus because of COVID-19 I think that may be even a bigger benefit this coming year. You’re going to be hanging out with your fellow dorm mates even more than normal.
Your daughter should be happy. She is going into one of the nicer dorms at Hamilton and the location is not bad. It’s a beautiful building. Much nicer than some of the others listed.