| Skip Section Navigation
International Admission
Admission Information
|
Frequently Asked Questions by International Students
Admission
What are the application requirements for international students?
There is no separate application for international students. International students follow essentially the same procedures as all students applying to Hamilton. We accept the Common Application both in hard copy and via the internet through www.commonapp.org. Applicants must also complete the Hamilton supplement. If you apply online, we waive the application fee. Please note that all official documents must be translated preferably by an official agency if the originals are not in English.
What was the profile for admitted students to Hamilton last year?
Learn about the most recent class admitted to Hamilton.
Can I apply Early Decision as an international student?
Yes. If Hamilton is your first choice, you should apply under one of our Early Decision programs. The Early Decision agreement form and deadlines can be found on the Admission Web site. Please note that if accepted early decision a student must withdraw all other applications and make a commitment to enroll at Hamilton College. Failure to do so may jeopardize your admission to Hamilton as well as other colleges.
Does Hamilton admit international transfer students?
Anyone can apply to transfer to Hamilton College, but please note that we offer very limited financial aid for international students.
Will you waive my application fee?
Hamilton does not require an application fee for applications submitted online. Online applications are available at http://www.commonapp.org. Submitting your application is the easiest way to apply. If you choose to apply in paper and need a fee waiver, you must have the appropriate official from your school send a letter. The letter should state that you are requesting a fee waiver and that the person signing the waiver agrees that you are unable to pay the application fee.
What standardized tests does Hamilton require?
Hamilton is SAT optional, but not testing optional. So, you still need to submit a form of standardized tests. If you do not submit either the SAT or the ACT, you may submit a combination of scores that can include AP exams, SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, or the TOEFL.
All test scores must be sent directly to our office. For a list of testing centers in your country or for more information regarding standardized tests you may wish to contact the following organizations:
Does Hamilton require the TOEFL?
All students must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or ELPT. We will waive the TOEFL requirement for students whose primary language is English or whose instruction is primarily in English or for students who score above 600 on the critical reading section of the SAT Reasoning Test. Hamilton does not have minimum requirements for the TOEFL, but is generally looking for scores of 600 and above on the paper scale or 250 and above on the computer scale. We are anticipating scores of 100 and above on the internet-based exam.
What if SAT exams are not offered in my country?
SAT's help Admission Officers see how a student compares to others and are, therefore, an important part of the application. Please review our standardized testing requirements to see if you can still fulfill the requirement without submitting the SAT. Students not submitting some form of standardized testing, however, can be at a competitive disadvantage.
In cases where a student has absolutely no way of getting to a testing site or fulfilling the standardized testing requirement, Hamilton will waive this requirement. If you do require a waiver for this part of the application, please provide an explanation of your need for the waiver with your application.
What if I do not have a graded writing sample in English?
The graded prose gives Admission Officers a better understanding of your writing and is an important part of the application. We do recognize, however, that not all schools require assignments in English and we will waive the requirement in select cases. When you submit your application, please include a brief explanation of why you need a waiver. Students who receive a waiver should be aware that we will review the essay from the SAT Writing.
Are interviews available for international students who cannot visit campus?
Hamilton does offer interviews off-campus with alumni in select international locations. These interviews give you an opportunity to learn more about Hamilton and Hamilton the opportunity to learn more about you, but are not required. Most international students are accepted to Hamilton without an interview.
How important are extracurricular activities in the admission decision?
Each case is different. Although Hamilton seeks to enroll well-rounded students, we realize that in many countries extracurricular activities are not a priority. If you have been an active member of a club or organization, participated in community service projects, held a job, played sports, etc., please make sure to mention these in your application. If you are an athlete or an artist, we do welcome lists of your accomplishments or slides of your work.
How do I contact the admission staff who is responsible for my area?
If you need to communicate with the admission officer who is responsible for your area (e.g. Canada, India, etc.), please visit this site.
Financial Aid
Does Hamilton offer financial aid to international students?
Yes. Last year Hamilton offered approximately $1.3 million dollars in financial aid to international students. The average scholarship for this year's incoming class is $29,000. While this may seem like a substantial amount, the pool for this aid is quite competitive. Financial aid packages typically include a Hamilton College scholarship (which does not need to be repaid) and a work-study award (we offer you an on-campus job opportunity), and a loan of $1500. Hamilton meets the full need of admitted students for all four years --up to and including full tuition, room and board-- based on information that we receive from the family each year. Visit our Financial Aid site for more information.
Does Hamilton practice need-blind admission?
Due to the limited resources available for international students, the Admission Committee cannot be need-blind when evaluating applications from international students. Therefore, it is in the student's best interest to be honest about his or her family's ability to pay, including the exact amount the family is able to contribute to a Hamilton education. Failure to do so may jeopardize a student's chance of admission to Hamilton.
Am I eligible for financial aid if I apply Early Decision?
Yes. The admission deadlines are November 15 (Early Decision I) or January 1 (Early Decision II). Students may also convert their application to Early Decision anytime before February 1st.
What financial aid forms should I fill out as an international applicant?
Students who are not United States citizens or permanent residents should complete the International Student Financial Aid Application and the Cerfitfication of Finances. These forms should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. International students who are U.S. citizens need to complete the FAFSA and the C.S.S. PROFILE, and the Hamilton Financial Aid Application. Please refer to the Hamilton Financial Aid Web site for other forms that may be required as well as deadlines.
What if a family's financial situation changes while their student is attending Hamilton?
The Financial Aid Office re-evaluates individual packages every year and will accommodate changes in a family's financial situation. As long as students are making progress toward their degree, we will meet their demonstrated need for all four years.
What if I receive financial aid and want to study abroad while at Hamilton?
Hamilton encourages all students to take advantage of the many study abroad programs approved by the college. All students receiving financial aid who choose to study abroad (including our international students) may apply their financial aid toward their study abroad costs.
What employment opportunities are available on and off campus?
If you qualify for financial aid, we will offer you an on-campus job opportunity. Most students limit employment to 10 hours a week. On campus, students can work at the library, at the bookstore, in the dining halls, in the computer labs or tutoring centers, as research and teaching assistants, in the different administrative offices, etc. In order to work off campus, students need employment authorization from the U.S government. Once this is obtained, you can work anywhere inside the U.S. over the summer or winter breaks, but not during the school year. The International Student Advisor in the Dean of Students Office can help you prepare the official documents needed to obtain the work authorization, while the Career Center will assist you in finding a job or internship.
Academics
Does Hamilton offer an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program?
Hamilton does offer individualized ESOL tutoring for students who require extra help with their English. All Hamilton students are required to demonstrate English proficiency during the application process, but many need additional support when adjusting to Hamilton's communication-intensive environment. Tutoring is done in small settings and is customized to each student's unique needs.
Does Hamilton offer a major in engineering?
We do not offer a degree in Engineering, but we do offer a 3+2 program that enables students to receive a Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton and a Bachelors of Science from Columbia, RPI, or Washington University of St. Louis in five years. This is an extremely competitive program. Many of our students who consider entering this program ultimately stay at Hamilton for 4 years to get their BA and then apply to graduate school in engineering.
Does Hamilton offer a business major?
Hamilton does not offer a degree in Business, but we do offer a degree in Economics. This is one of our largest majors at Hamilton. The top three employment areas for Hamilton grads are education/non-profit, science and technology, and finance. Our leading employers in New York City are Bank of New York, Bear Stearns, and Goldman Sachs. We also have a program where you can spend a semester doing internships and taking classes with Hamilton professors in New York City as well as Washington, DC. Economics is a much broader major than business and prepares you for the world of management beyond an entry-level job. The reason that our students are prepared so well for their chosen career field is that their liberal arts education has prepared them to communicate not only in writing but also speaking.
What is your policy for awarding Advanced Placement and IB credit?
In order to receive A.P. credit, a student must take a departmentally approved Hamilton course and pass with the minimum grade stipulated by the department. Students must take one of the courses listed below as their first course in the department, unless otherwise designated. A student may not receive credit toward a degree solely on the basis of a score on an Advanced Placement Test.
We only award credit to students who complete the full IB program and receive the diploma. Unfortunately, students who only receive a certificate for completing one or several courses are not eligible to receive Hamilton credit for their IB work.
If you have more specific questions regarding transfer credit, please contact the Office of the Registrar at regofc@hamilton.edu.
Student Support and Life
Do international students have additional advising or support at Hamilton?
Yes. The International Student Advisor in the Dean of Students Office advises international students on immigration issues such as: passport and visa questions, travel in and outside the United States, health insurance, employment authorization forms, etc. The Dean of Students also organizes the International Student Orientation every year, matches students with International Friendship Program volunteers from the community, and works closely with Hamilton's International Student Association (ISA) to coordinate social events and provide a network of support and advice for our international community. Each year the Office updates the International Student Services (ISS) page on the Dean of Students website which contains a wealth of useful information about our college and American culture in general.
International students who sign up to be part of the College's International Friendship Program (IFP) will be assigned a family or an individual from the community with whom they will connect on numerous occasions throughout their years at Hamilton. These local volunteers provide advice, support and an important bridge to the greater community. Whether they invite students to their homes during breaks or throughout the semester, take them out to dinner and social events, share their culture, or attend events on campus with students, IFP volunteers are an additional resource for our international students throughout the years. Many are connected with Hamilton College in one way or another: they may be Hamilton professors, staff members, or friends of the college living in the area.
Do international students have a separate orientation program?
Every fall, international students have a special two-day orientation before the regular freshmen orientation begins. Although the international orientation is optional, we strongly recommend that students come early to attend the events. It is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the new culture, relax before all other students arrive on campus, meet some of our returning international students and the international student advisor, and connect with your International Friendship Program (IFP) family if you have requested one. As part of the orientation you will also open a bank account in the US, learn about social and academic life at Hamilton, do some shopping, and of course make new friends.
Can I speak to a current student about his or her experiences at Hamilton?
Please feel free to contact a current Hamilton student through the "Ask a Student" webpage. If you would like to connect with an international student from one of the forty countries represented in the Hamilton community, please email the admission office at admission@hamilton.edu.
|
