Opportunity Program

Painting by Nat St. Helen ’27*

The Opportunity Program staff provides academic counseling and personal support to more than 160 Hamilton students each year.

The Hamilton College Opportunity Programs consists of three academic programs: the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Programs (open to New York State residents), the Hamilton College Scholars Program (open to students from all geographic backgrounds) and CSTEP (focusing on students pursuing professional licensure and careers in Math, Science, technology and health related fields).

All students selected and offered admission to Hamilton College through the Opportunity Program have demonstrated academic competitiveness, leadership, initiative, and the potential for success in Hamilton’s rigorous academic environment with support. Students who enroll at Hamilton through Opportunity Programs will benefit from academic and personal support, mentorship, and advocacy for the duration of their time at the College.

*People, events, buildings, and symbols that collectively represent the long history of Hamilton’s OP are on brilliant display in a 4- by 7-foot painting designed and created by OP student Nat St. Helen ’27. Read More

OP Summer Program

The OP Summer Program is an intensive and comprehensive five-week residential program that starts in June and is designed to help students prepare for their academic and social experience at Hamilton. Students will be exposed to Hamilton courses taught by Hamilton faculty and will provide them with a strong foundation that facilitates a successful transition to college life.

About the Program

Admission & Application Information

All candidates who wish to be considered for the HEOP/Scholar program must apply through the general admission process. At Hamilton, admission decisions are made without considering an applicant’s ability to pay. Additionally, Hamilton meets the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted student.

How to Apply

How We Help

Our office works to meet students where they are when they first arrive, and partner with them to help guide them to be where they want to be when they graduate. Our staff collaborates with offices around campus in order to best support students holistically through academic, financial, and psycho-social counseling.

Program Services

Meet Our Staff

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program and its activities are supported, in whole or in part, by the New York State Department of Education.

Opportunity On the Mic

Student Voices

Read a Q/A with two students who partnered with OP Director Aaron Ray to create Opportunity on the Mic, a podcast celebrating the 55th anniversary of Hamilton’s Opportunity Program.

Interview with Kelvin, Meg, & Aaron

Kelvin Nuñez ’24 and Meg Lambert ’27 creating the OP podcast — Kelvin Nuñez ’24 and Meg Lambert ’27 work on the podcast. Photo: Zack Stanek

The OP Summer Program

Before starting at Hamilton, the incoming students spend their summer attending classes and on excursions including art, fine dining, collective and community collaboration, and team building experiences.