Know Thyself

Socrates believed the first step to true wisdom is to “know thyself” because only then can one appreciate what one understands and what remains to be learned. Hamilton’s founders agreed. They chose those words to appear in Greek at the top of the College seal.

Today, more than 200 years later, that motto — Know Thyself — remains a guiding principle as Hamilton prepares students to become critical thinkers in order to address our world’s most pressing problems. For only after gaining a full appreciation of your strengths, skills, and interests can you make valuable contributions to society and achieve the professional success and personal satisfaction you seek.

Aerial of campus

Knowing Thyself Is a Journey

As a student at Hamilton, you will come to know thyself through our four promises:

Explore Your Passions

Expand Your Perspectives

Express Yourself

Expect Opportunity

We also promise that a Hamilton education will be accessible and worth your investment. We will evaluate your admission application without considering your financial circumstances, and, once you are accepted, we’ll meet your full demonstrated need for all four years.

A Time of Transformation

At Hamilton, you will be transformed — personally, intellectually, socially. It may be an academic or extracurricular interest you didn’t know you had. Or perhaps it’s a newfound love of the outdoors. Whatever your passion, we will help you discover the future you were meant to pursue. It’s happened for students before you, and it will happen for you.

Eleanor Wefing '23 — Through internships, volunteer work, and conversations with faculty mentors, Eleanor Wefing ’23 is honing in on her life’s path — which will include remaining “open to trying different things.” Read Eleanor’s Story

Roger Danilek '21 — Roger Danilek ’21 arrived on the Hill knowing he wanted to pursue either engineering or physics. Then, he took a computer science class and that changed everything. Read Roger’s Story