<p>I keep seeing posts online and reading about how your high school curriculum is important to Hamilton, and I was wondering what sort of classes they are really looking for. I'm assuming mostly English, but I was wondering if there was anything specific outside of the standard APs. </p>
<p>Also, how much does Hamilton value standardized testing scores? I've yet to take the SATs (I'm only a junior), but I think I'll be getting around 650 for every section, which is pretty low on Hamilton's spectrum. However, I'm really involved in the school and community and I'm even starting my own non-profit, so I'm hoping that'll help!</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Though I wound up at a public high school, I took the private school admissions test when I was in eighth grade. (The testing company predicts your SAT scores based on your scores on the high school admissions test.) I studied for my SATs using books I bought at B&N and got higher scores than I thought I would. Take lots of practice tests and carefully review your answers. You don’t need to take a course or hire a tutor. If you can afford to buy the books, you can raise your scores. (It probably also helped that I challenged myself in high school and took hard classes.)</p>
<p>Just because Hamilton makes a big deal about them being a school that emphasizes writing, don’t assume that their curriculum requirements are any different any other school of their caliber. Take the most rigorous curriculum you can do well in for every subject. It’s a school that emphasizing writing at every level, not a writing school.</p>
<p>As for test scores, they have a strange sort of superscoring where they let you mix and match tests. Or, you can just send them everything and they promise to come up with the set of tests that make you look best. It’s not test optional, test scores definitely do count.</p>
<p>The previous poster is correct. Do not limit yourself to an English/writing dominant curriculum. If anything, this shows a lack of balance. You can certainly have strengths. For example, I took 5 APs all of which were humanities based and now I’m taking all humanities courses here at Hamilton (shocking, right?). But, I also took physics my senior year of HS. I took chemistry and calculus my junior year. Take courses that you like, but also challenge yourself and move outside your comfort zone–that’s what Hamilton is looking for.</p>
<p>Over the past few years, Hamilton has become increasingly competitive. We over-enrolled like crazy last year so I expect we’ll be seeing a drop in admission rates soon. To call Hamilton a “match” I would encourage you to strive for a composite score of at least 2100 (preferably 2150). As previously described, the testing policy allows for a great deal of manipulation so take advantage. Good luck!</p>