Hi all,
How is the grading at Hamilton? Does anyone know the average GPA? I’ve heard As are very hard, and this concerns me, as law/graduate school awaits. Is this true? For reference, I am a prospective transfer from Case Western Reserve University, where I was challenged. Still am nervous, though. Can anyone weigh in? Thank you all!
It depends on your major. Getting an A in a political science class is easier than getting an A in organic chemistry. Hamilton sends plenty of kids to good law schools, so having a good GPA isn’t impossible, although you will certainly have to work for it.
@Dontskipthemoose thank you! Are you a current student? I had some other questions and wanted to PM anyone who was willing to answer them.
I am not a current student, but that is the general rule of thumb. And Hamilton while rigorous, isn’t known to be too hard to get good grades like Colgate, which has grade deflation. I also think that since Hamilton has an open curriculum and students take classes that they are interested in, it will be easier to get good grades. Are you hoping to transfer to Hamilton or were you already accepted as a transfer?
@Dontskipthemoose waitlisted, but they told me I have 48 hrs to decide if admitted off of it so I wanted an idea about the rigor.
I hope you get off the waitlist, but your concern is still premature. No need to get anxious about getting good grades at Hamilton when you haven’t even been accepted yet.
@Dontskipthemoose thanks! Yeah you’re right, I just wanted an idea and I’m always nervous 
Aproximately 39% of Hamilton students make Dean’s List in a given semester. This requires a GPA of 3.5 or higher. A and B grades, then, would not be inordinately scarce. With time, effort and interest in your classes, as would be appropriate in any event, good to excellent grades should be possible for you, particularly with your experience from having worked hard at CWRU.
In terms of pre-law, Hamilton would be top notch:
Wishing you luck with your admission.
If you want an easy “A”, don’t go to a rigorous school that grades fairly. If you don’t want to work for your grades, maybe law school isn’t for you.
@Muad_dib you sure are the friendly one!
@hopefulmom123 that is a great point, there is so much variation in grading.
@SeinfeldFan1 - Just think of me as the Simon Cowell of CC.
^Simon without the charm and sense of humor?
“It depends on your major. Getting an A in a political science class is easier than getting an A in organic chemistry. Hamilton sends plenty of kids to good law schools, so having a good GPA isn’t impossible, although you will certainly have to work for it.” “I am not a current student, but that is the general rule of thumb”
One cannot make blanket statements like this with any accuracy. First, organic chem is notoriously hard at any college, that is true, because it is often a weed out course. But, OP probably doesn’t need organic chem if intending to pursue law school. Additionally, one cannot state that poli sci courses, in general let alone at Hamilton, are easier than STEM classes. Different students have different skill sets. Students good at sciences or in math might find it harder to whip off the 20 page papers that poli sci majors routinely must write. At one LAC I am familiar with, one poli sci major is super popular and his courses always have huge waiting lists. Why? Because he is known to be the only easy grader in the department of very fine professors and all the STEM majors flock to his classes so they won’t “ruin” their GPA.
@CHD2013 or knowledge/correct perspective about anything!
– Mark Twain
Though Hamilton students will find their academic experience suitably challenging, several factors suggest that few of them will feel legitimately overwhelmed by the College’s expectations:
- Hamilton students are *active*. In a given year, for example, 35-40% participate in a varsity sport.
- The school does not appear to be oppressively influenced by any particular branch or mode of academics. Though the impact of this may not be particularly obvious, it meliorates the effect that academic disciplines can have when regarded as objects in isolation.
- Hamilton's writing emphasis encourages the development of this essential skill. Really, any good school should do this. Hamilton simply supports the goal clearly and broadly, but perhaps to the confusion of those who interpret the emphasis too literally.
@merc81, the fact that developing the ability to communicate in a clear, organized and effective way is a central goal of the liberal arts education at Hamilton was very important to us in its selection for our DD’s given that technology has reduced the ability of many to communicate effectively. While they are both excellent writers today, the consistent focus on this mission statement will only benefit them in the workplace.