January Admission

Hamilton College offers January admission to several dozen students each year, and seeks to annually enroll about 40-45 new first-year students in the spring semester.

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

Student Experience

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.

Hear from Jans

Brooke Hoffman ’26 (front, center) travels with friends during her time with the London Arcadia program.

Chris Bannigan ’26 enjoys a hiking trip.

Evelyn Burdsall ’26 (second from right) explored her passion for biology at the School for Field Studies in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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.

Jans who apply for financial aid will be notified of their eligibility at the time of admission. Those who are eligible for financial aid will receive prorated awards covering the spring semester for which you will be enrolled at Hamilton. Should you choose to participate in a fall semester experience at one of our partner programs or elsewhere, you would be responsible for all program fees to be paid directly to that program. Some of these programs offer financial assistance, and you should feel free to be in touch with them directly to explore your options.

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.