Hamilton College Admission Journals: Kaitlin Britt

Dinner with Mr. President

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:48:33 GMT

As mentioned a few entries back, my life as of late has been consumed by events solely dedicated to seniors and their four well-spent years at Hamilton. Such constant gatherings are warmly welcomed by seniors, who want nothing more than another opportunity to meet with their close friends and reminisce. One Hamilton tradition in particular stands out as my favorite thus far…dinner at the President’s house.

Faculty members and senior concentrators in every foreign language at Hamilton (and I assure you there are PLENTY) along with majors in theatre all got together last Thursday to celebrate four years of dedication to our areas of expertise. For me this dinner presented a bit of difficulty, as I found myself maneuvering between departments. As a Chinese and Spanish double major, I would chat in Chinese one minute, turn around, grab an hors’d’oeuvres and stumble upon a conversation in Spanish with my thesis advisor.

Language obstacles aside, the dinner was a fantastic opportunity to meet with faculty who have not only provided me with great knowledge throughout my four years at Hamilton, but also nurtured and encouraged me to become who I am today. When you visit colleges, go on tours, and hear information sessions about what a vital part faculty play in your college experience…they are not kidding. I couldn’t help but think my entire Hamilton experience was summed up in that room. Over by the fireplace was the professor who introduced me to Don Quijote…a book that has since become one of my most treasured. Over by the window was my favorite Chinese professor, who encouraged me to keep studying the language despite my sincere frustrations and major setbacks. Over chatting with other students was my favorite professor, who encouraged me to think beyond the box (a very difficult task for someone like me).

So this is starting to sound a bit sappy and sentimental…I apologize…but sometimes there’s just no other way to express my sincere appreciation for my Hamilton experience. My only hope is that y’all get the opportunity to experience it as well.

It Was as if We Had Never Seen Sun

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:09:06 GMT

This past weekend is what Hamilton in the spring is all about. Every morning students got up with the sun and took advantage of the warm weather to its fullest. It seemed everywhere one looked, there were students lying on the quad doing absolutely nothing. Impromptu volleyball matches and soccer games were sprouting up anywhere there was enough grass. Students blared their favorite songs from dorm rooms, with windows open, and plenty of people outside to enjoy them. I even saw a few blow-up kiddie pools! I’m still not entirely sure how these small bowls of water provided amusement to college students, but I digress...

No matter which way you slice it, this weekend was absolutely incredible. I ate outside for nearly every meal, worked on my tan, and practiced the ever-valuable skill called procrastination. While I honestly believe Hamilton is beautiful in almost any type of weather (yes, even the times when it looks as if we live in a snow globe), the sun and cloudless blue sky really do bring out a certain campus charm. Fortunately for us, this perfect yet distracting weather is definitely here to stay.

Blissful Denial and Hidden Gems

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:40:09 GMT

So this week I’m feeling particularly reflective about my Hamilton College experience. I was chatting with my mom on the phone the other day and she said, “Well Kaitlin, we’re looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks at graduation!” (…...long pause…..) Now Instead of admitting graduation is even on the horizon, I’ve decided to simply live in a state of blissful denial. Although this is a state I’m pretty unfamiliar with, I find myself growing more attracted to the relaxation.

So as part of my blissful denial, I recently decided to take advantage of all those Hamilton gems you forget about as a junior and senior. As a freshman at Hamilton, I was far too easily amused. A simple walk in the glen, a baseball game on the weekend with friends, an acoustic coffeehouse, and even a latte with great company at Café Opus was enough to bring a smile to my face. What I find most interesting, however, is how quickly this campus can be taken for granted. I mean really…what am I going to do when there’s no career center to check every one of my cover letters? What will happen when I don’t have the hammocks at the Glen House to relax in? Hamilton really makes a person selfish…because everything here is for ME! Something gives me the feeling New York, Chicago, or any other major city won’t be this focused on my personal satisfaction.

After spending a week reflecting on all these gems Hamilton has to offer, I quickly realized that I’m not easily amused at all…Hamilton is just a truly amazing place. Never again will a place be so entirely focused on my happiness and intellectual growth…and what an adjustment that will be! Though let’s be honest…I’m not leaving here anyway, right?

I Just Read a Book...for Fun?

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:39:01 GMT

Ever since my junior year in high school, my reading for pleasure time has all but disappeared. Now I can’t say this is because I’ve had no TIME to read, but rather just chose to make use of this free time doing other important things…like catching up on The Tudors, The Office, and LOST. I’m not ashamed to say I pass my remaining intellectual time catching up on television. After a day of Hamilton style studying and class preparation, one really needs a brain relaxer.

This weekend, however, I was feeling a bit under the weather. It’s always a bummer to be sick on a Hamilton weekend because you miss out on soooooo much….but oh well. My illness gave me the opportunity to plow through an entire box of DayQuil and a fabulous book. It had been YEARS since I last sat down and read a book cover to cover. Sorta reminded me of those times in middle school when I would curl up under my blankets in bed with a flashlight and a Nancy Drew book. I’m actually ashamed to say that over the last five years I have forgotten the simple pleasure of reading. Although reading about Freudian philosophy, women’s rights in Guatemala and Post-Revolutionary Chinese literature can be fascinating…it’s really nothing like getting caught up in a novel you selected yourself. So I made a new pact. No, I won’t quit watching television, but I will read two chapters in a novel of my choice every night before I go to bed.

Request Granted

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:04:50 GMT

I consider myself to be a connoisseur of three things...a great cup of coffee, a tasty steak, and applesauce. Okay, so maybe I'm not REALLY a connoisseur of applesauce, but I certainly enjoy eating it with just about every meal. When I come home from college for breaks, it's an unspoken rule that there will be at least two bottles of Motts applesauce in the fridge for my own hearty consumption. One can imagine my surprise when I got to Hamilton and couldn't find the slightest bit of applesauce anywhere! Although I've managed to deal with this sad loss and void for more than three years, I recently decided I could take it no more. Applesauce must be a part of the salad bar...and I was going to make it happen.

Equipped with a pencil and piece of paper, I approached the request board in the dining hall and expressed my sincere desire to see plain applesauce, not cinnamon, as a part of the salad bar. I must admit I had my doubts. I mean, seriously, it’s just the request of some silly girl with a strange thing for applesauce. However yesterday to my great surprise, nestled between the sour cream and jell-o, I saw my applesauce. I tried not to act too excited…but that was a huge fail. I went up to some of the people working in Commons Dining Hall and thanked them for paying attention to my request.

I write this entry to share with you all an important point. When you go on those tours at Hamilton and they say you can make requests for just about ANY food…they really aren’t kidding.