Opportunity Programs

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

The Hamilton College Opportunity Programs consists of two academic programs: the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (open to New York State residents) and the Hamilton College Scholars Program (open to students from all geographic backgrounds).

All students selected and offered admission to Hamilton College through these Opportunity Programs 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 the Opportunity Program will benefit from academic and personal support, mentorship, and advocacy for the duration of their time at the College.

OP Summer Program

The OP Summer Program is an intensive and comprehensive five-week residential program that starts in June. The program is designed to help students prepare for their academic and social experience at Hamilton. This experience is designed to onboard students in their transition to campus life and familiarize students with the services available through the Opportunity Program and the college. Students will be exposed to Hamilton courses taught by Hamilton faculty and will provide students with a strong foundation that facilitates a successful transition to college life. The program's focus is to help students create a sense of community, to ease transitions and to support the Hamilton curriculum with a well-rounded approach that makes success possible.

The Summer Program includes unique opportunities for Hamilton College Opportunity Program students to fulfill college graduation requirements in quantitative and symbolic reasoning and in physical education. Students will also take courses in Writing, Philosophy, Government, Science (Chemistry, Biology, or Geoscience), Oral Communication, and College Success 101.

The 2024 program will be held from June 29-August 3 and attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled into the Hamilton College Class of 2028 through the Opportunity Programs.

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.

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.