Application Process & Requirements

Our Philosophy

The primary criteria for admission are academic achievement and intellectual potential, but Hamilton also values leadership and commitment to extracurricular and community activities. In forming the class, the admission staff seeks students representing diverse geographic, economic, and ethnic backgrounds whose perspectives will enrich the learning community.  Lastly, Hamilton seeks to admit candidates who are a good fit with the programs and experience the College offers.

For a profile of our most recently admitted students, please visit our Facts page.

Admission Checklist

Regular Decision Applicants

• The Common Application
• Hamilton supplement (Adobe PDF)
• expository prose
• $50 fee with application (waived for applications submitted electronically) or fee waiver (College Board guidelines)
• official high school transcript and
• Counselor Evaluation Form (Adobe PDF)
• Teacher Evaluation Form (Adobe PDF) from teacher in major academic subject
• personal statement (Adobe PDF)
• standardized test scores (on official high school transcript or from testing agency)
• Mid-year grade report (Adobe PDF) (due in February or as soon as possible)
• An Interview is strongly recommended
• Hamilton College's CEEB code is 2286
• Please use the following address to send application materials to Hamilton:
  Hamilton College Admission Office
  198 College Hill Road
  Clinton, NY 13323

Early Decision Applicants

• requirements listed above
• Early Decision agreement form, including your and your counselor's signatures
• all testing completed by November of senior year for Plan I and December for Plan II
• first quarter grades
• if applying for financial aid in Plan I, submit the CSS Profile by November 15.  For Plan II, file by January 1
• Early Decision Plan II candidates must apply by January 1.  A student may convert a regular decision application to Early Decision Plan II any time up until February 1 by submitting the Early Decision agreement form.  Students will receive notification of Hamilton's admission decision by February 15.

More about Early Decision ...

Transfer Applicants

• The Common Application
• Instructor Evaluation (form found on the Common Application site)
• College Official's Report (form found on the Common Application site)
• official high school transcript
• standardized test scores (on official high school transcript or from testing agency)
• Transfer Supplement (PDF required) This report is not part of the Common Application web site
• Mid Term Grade Report (PDF required) Download here.  This report is not part of the Common Application web site
• $50 fee with application 

More information on Transfer Admission...

International Applicants

• requirements listed above
• TOEFL scores
• translation of official documents, when originals not in English
• International students attending non-English language high schools may contact the Admission Office to inquire about qualifying for a waiver of the expository prose requirement
• International Student Financial Aid Application if applying for financial aid (due by January 1)