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The January admission option allows us to extend more offers of admission to strong and talented students while also filling vacancies created by Hamilton students who are studying abroad during the spring semester.
“Jans” are admitted because of their academic potential and strong personal qualities, as well as a demonstrated independence and intellectual curiosity that lead us to believe that they will make good use of the fall semester.
While all applicants are automatically considered for both fall and January admission, many students express interest in being considered for either semester and some indicate a preference for the “Jan” option when applying to Hamilton. 
Receiving admission as a “Jan” is an offer of full admission to the college community.

Please direct any questions to Niki Barron '02, associate dean of admission, by phone at 1-800-843-2655 or email at nbarron@hamilton.edu.

Jans’ Experiences Jump Start Their College Careers

Jans have chosen to do virtually anything and everything from community service and travel, to outdoor adventures and full-time work. Many students have chosen to pursue credit-bearing opportunities at an accredited institution for purposes of earning transfer credit that will allow them to graduate after three-and-a-half years at Hamilton. Other students have used AP credit and/or summer coursework to make on-time graduation possible.

While everyone else was at college, I had the chance to slow down. It was the first time in my life where I was truly on my own page and independent of everyone else.

Chris Bannigan ’26 Winston-Salem, N.C. Chris Bannigan ’26

Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of Jans graduate with their class. This can be accomplished by taking classes elsewhere before enrolling at Hamilton, obtaining AP credit from high school, taking summer courses before enrolling or in subsequent summers, taking additional full or partial credit courses some semesters, or some combination of all of these options.

No. Jans have explored many alternatives over the years and their experiences have been as varied as their interests. Some engage in internships, volunteer work, outdoor exploration, or paid employment. Please note that you will need regular internet access throughout the fall to receive important communications from Hamilton and register for spring classes. If your preferred fall experience will take you away from internet connectivity for long stretches of time, contact Anne Riffle (ariffle@hamilton.edu) in the Registrar’s Office to discuss how it will impact your pre-arrival process.

Most Jans earn transfer credit by taking courses at accredited colleges or universities in the US or by participating in a study abroad program such as the Arcadia Fall in London program, SEA semester, or others that earn transferrable credit. Information relating to how credit might transfer (as well as a list of programs past Jans have been involved in) can be found on our Jan Courses and Credit webpage.

A detailed listing of what courses are offered and how their credit would apply at Hamilton is available here. Specific questions can be referred to Anne Riffle (ariffle@hamilton.edu) in our Registrar’s Office.

As a Jan student, you are not enrolled at Hamilton until you arrive in the spring semester. You do not pay tuition, room, board, or additional student activities fees to Hamilton until the spring semester, and you are not eligible for Hamilton financial aid until the spring semester. Should you choose to participate in a fall semester experience, you would be responsible for all program fees to be paid directly to that program. If you are seeking financial aid for a fall semester experience, please contact that program directly regarding your financial aid eligibility. For questions regarding Hamilton College financial aid, please contact our Financial Aid office at finaid@hamilton.edu.

Hamilton Jans have done both. Coaches and directors of musical groups are responsible for determining how students admitted for January are accommodated in their respective programs. Feel free to contact them for additional information.

Once Jans accept our offer of admission, they are matched with an upperclassman mentor through our Jan-to-Jan Program. We offer a special orientation program for students admitted in January, and they are welcome to join their classmates on orientation trips in the fall.

Hamilton’s Jans play integral roles in our college community. Many Jans receive prestigious fellowships or secure competitive internships on Capitol Hill. One recent Jan organized a successful campaign and was elected student assembly president. Our Jans take full advantage of the opportunities and experiences offered on the Hill.

Housing is guaranteed for all students, including Jans. The Office of Community Living attempts to place January students in close proximity to each other and tries to be responsive to housing requests (such as preferred roommates) from the Jans.

January admits complete an online advising tour in the fall, which asks them to choose 12 priority courses they want to take in the spring. The registrar’s office uses the list of priority courses to assign each student a schedule of four classes. Based on course selection, advisor assignments are made. Students find out their class schedules and their advisor assignment in early January. If necessary, students have an opportunity to make schedule changes.

Niki Barron '02, assistant dean of admission, will serve as your liaison as you make your decision about January admission. Please contact her with any additional questions by phone at 1-800-843-2655 or email at nbarron@hamilton.edu. If you would like to connect with a Hamilton Jan or have specific questions regarding a particular aspect of the January Admission program, please refer to the contacts listed below.

January Admission Contacts

Niki Barron

Associate Dean of Admission
1-800-843-2655

nbarron@hamilton.edu

Contact Niki with any questions about Hamilton's January admission program.

Brogan Deem-Ranzetta ’24

January Admit
Email Brogan your questions

bdeemran@hamilton.edu

Brogan participated in a School for Field Studies program.

Thomas Kuhn ’24

January Admit
Email Tom your questions

tkuhn@hamilton.edu

Tom worked on a political campaign and took college classes near his hometown in Maine.

Lizzie Herr ’24

January Admit
Email Lizzie your questions

eherr@hamilton.edu

Lizzie attended the Arcadia Fall in London program.

Kristin Friedel

Registrar
315-859-4637

kfriedel@hamilton.edu

Contact Kristin with general questions about transferring credits.

Anne Riffle

Staff Assistant for Advising
315-859-4637

ariffle@hamilton.edu

Contact Anne with general questions about advising at Hamilton.

Adam Van Wynsberghe

Associate Dean of Students
315-859-4216

avanwyns@hamilton.edu

Contact Adam with general academic advising questions.

Tessa Chefalo

Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement
315-859-4846

tchefalo@hamilton.edu

Contact Tessa Chefalo regarding any questions about the orientation program, First-Year Experience Program, and Jan mentoring program.

Jean Burke

Community Living Staff Assistant

jburke@hamilton.edu

Contact Jean Burke with questions about housing and living at Hamilton.

Contact Program Advisor Bre Scott about studying in London.

Contact Devin Foxall about studying abroad through the School for Field Studies.

SEA Education Assoc.

Alex Nichols
774-349-1235

anichols@sea.edu

Contact Institutional Relations Manager Alex Nichols about the SEA study abroad program.

Contact

Office of Admission

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