@Chembiodad & @CrewDad I wanted to jump in earlier as I started the thread but it was just amazing seeing two dads argue about Williams??? Please. This is still about Hamilton, but you are fun people 
@knwthyslf, you are correct, that this was intended and should remain as a Hamilton Class of 2022 ED Thread. Lmk if you have any questions as our DD’s are in the Hamilton Class of 2021 and had a very similar experience to @straydog’s son but didn’t apply ED.
@knwthyslf, and most importantly are confident that they both picked the best school for each independently - mom and dad agree!
A colleague of mine relayed this story about his son who was accepted by Williams. On the evening following his acceptance, as the family was sitting down for dinner, he said, “So Dad, where is Williams anyway?” We live in New England, and based on the resources to which he had access, he should have readily known where Williams College is. However, the kid had applied to Williams and Amherst based entirely on USNews rankings. He hadn’t researched nor visited either school, and while admitted to both, he accepted neither offer.
Demonstrated interest in a sincere form, while perhaps seemingly strategic to those who think exclusively from within that framework, is not a meaningless factor in establishing a match between student and college. Actually, if the importance of interviews at Hamilton were to be diminished, the character of the College would no longer be quite the same.
Just poking in here to say that the interviews can be valuable for the student as well as the school. In the case of my D, her interview (alumni, not on campus - arranged through the admissions office) was one of the factors that really boosted Hamilton in her estimation. She did lots of interviews during her admissions process and her experiences did sometimes influence her feelings about a school. Her interviewer from Hamilton also called her after she was admitted to put in a good word for the school - and tapped another local alum to contact her as well. No other school had anyone who went the extra mile like that. Demonstrated interest can work both ways!
So we’re to believe that a kid from New England applied to Williams, may have written a supplemental essay, and then instead of simply Googling Williams College he waited 3+ months after he applied to asked his dad where the college was located? Nor did he read the US News ranking either online or in the magazine which explicitly states that Williams is located in Williamstown? Seriously? LOL.
And on the off chance the story is true, he was better off not attending either college. He’s far too lazy to have been successful at a highly demanding college.
Could not agree more, which is why, Amherst, Williams, Yale, etc, will schedule an interview and have information sessions campus tours even thought they don’t consider demonstrated interest for admission.
Opps "Could not agree more, which is why Amherst, Williams…
From the Williams website:
*Please note that Williams does NOT use interviews in our admission process. While we are happy to speak with rising high school seniors during the summer, these conversations are entirely non-evaluative and play NO role in our admission decisions.
Correct. What’s your point? Post # 25 seems clear.
An interview/meeting (which is only offered during July and August) with a Williams admission officer is to answer any questions the student may have and to help the student become knowledgeable about Williams. The admission officer may ask various questions in an effort to better understand the applicant so pertinent information is provided.
If you want to argue that interviewing with an admission officer should be offered all year instead of only during July and August, I will agree with that.
A significant number colleges don’t use the interview as part of the admission process.
@CrewDad Is there a particular reason you keep clogging this thread started by a student who wanted to talk about applying ED to Hamilton with comments about the way other colleges do things? I’m honestly baffled as to what you’re doing here except dragging the conversation away from the thread topic.
I currently have a Senior at Hamilton who was admitted ED2. She has loved every minute on Hamilton’s beautiful campus. She has loved her classes and has very close relationships with her professors.
Demonstrated interest does help a lot at Hamilton. My daughter visited campus 4 times before applying and we live 4 hours away. This definitely helped her application. Hamilton also views the interviews as a chance to sell the school. As someone above said, it is definitely a 2 way street.
I have relatives who attended Williams. They give interviews to legacy children and they are often used as a way to send the message that the legacy children will probably not be accepted.
@bwaygirl1, that’s great to hear as our Freshman DD’s are really enjoying their first semester on the Hill - challenging courses and great advisors to help chart their individual paths with one STEM and the other Gov. XC/Track DD is wrapped up with her teammates , so all good, and her twin has found a girl/guy gang that she seems to do everything with - we see their smiles every time we FaceTime her so we knows she’s feeling the love.
Good Luck to everyone applying Early Decision! My son applied ED last year, and was accepted as a Jan. Just a heads up that this might happen! He was so happy to be accepted to Hamilton, and is currently studying in London with 35 other Hamilton Jans (and loving it). He attended the frosh orientation and is excited to join his classmates in a few months on campus.
Hey! Do you think I’ll get into Hamilton College?
I’m currently a Senior in a really great high school in a Northwest suburb of Chicago (District 214). I moved from a small town before my freshman year, so I had a tough time adjusting to the academic rigor for my first couple years. I took all honors and AP classes for the most part. I got 4’s on Geo and US. But, I did a lot better my junior year, and I’m absolutely killing it in my Senior year so far. I also got a really great ACT score from the Sept 2017 test, and I feel my common app essays are all really solid. I’m pretty sure my recommendations are all really good too. I also have committed extracurriculars, which I’ve excelled in, most of them being in the school’s music programs. The only problem is my lackluster GPA, but I did my best to explain my situation in the extra information part. I’m also a minority (if that matters).
I know most students who attend Hamilton were in the top decile. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I’m in because my school doesn’t rank. I hope my ACT helps. I also did an alumni interview to show demonstrated interests, and I’m starting to get in touch with the jazz director.
https://www.hamilton.edu/admission/apply/standardized-testing-distribution-of-scores
STATS:
Cumulative GPA (9-11): 3.29 UW, 3.73 W
Senior Year GPA (12): 4.0 UW, 4.9 W
ACT: 34
English 35, Math 35, Reading 35, and Science 31
Writing 9
If anyone could help, I’d really appreciate it! I’m really interested in Hamilton College. I’ve thought about ED’ing but I decided not to because I want to know my financial aid reward.
@jdoh8552, congrats on pulling your grades up as that’s an important affirmation that you have prepared yourself for the rigor of a school like Hamilton - you can’t worry about the past, just look forward!
Smart and caring students from a diverse background is very important to the culture of Hamilton - it what makes it a Hamily. In addition, its one of only ~40 schools in the country that are need blind and meet 100% of demonstrated need.
I agree that reaching out to the jazz director is a good idea as Hamilton is always looking for students that bring something unique to the class, and I know jazz is big as our DD’s are always talking about jazz performances at Opus.
Like you, our DD’s had high scores and worked hard to have a lot of great choices. While it was a nerve racking 6 months for them, they are both so happy that they chose Hamilton.
Good luck and keep us posted as you sound like a great fit for Hamilton!
@jdoh8552, have you considered applying ED2 as that will certainly demonstrate more interest and you’ll know the financial aid package well before the RD acceptances come in so if it’s not enough you can wait for the others?
Hey!
International student in China
I intend to major in studio art and have a pretty strong portfolio.
STATS:
cumulative GPA 4.0 UW
SAT 1520 (superscored) Reading740 Math780
SATII Math level II 800
4 in AP lit, geo, cal bc, 5 in micro
My activities on the CA include film, drama, speech, debate, volunteer, magazine translator etc
I visited Hamilton during the summer and fell in love with it. Interview was enjoyable!
A week till the release of ED result. Not sure if i have a chance to get in but still looking forward to it!
@Helvetada, sounds like you would be a great fit. Our DD’s had a similar profile and are both loving Hamilton - both chose it individually.
They love the way the campus is laid out and it’s soo beautiful. They have found the students to be smart, diverse (one DD’s roommate is from China, other DD has a roommate from the US West Coast, and they have friends from all over the world - expat living in Honk Kong, Canada, Uzbekistan…) and the students and faculty are really, really caring and supportive - it’s why they call it a Hamily!
Good luck!
Any word on how the new AD at Hamilton is influencing admissions, if at all? CC says changes in the AD (at any school) can indicate a change in institutional priorities…
Given Dean of Admissions Peaches Valdes came from Bryn Mawr, and was a graduate of same, I can’t imagine that the mission has changed as it’s also a highly selective LAC.
I know Hamilton remains very committed to having an incredibly smart, diverse, both ethnic and socioeconomic, and caring student population, and I am sure everyone from President David Wippman, to Dean of Students Thesrea Martinez, to Dean of Admissions Peaches Valdes will carry that torch for many years to come - I think the 200-year tradition is in great hands! In addition, having a $1B endowment and a very passionate alumni network helps make that mission possible.
From a student profile perspective, the Class of 2021had an Accepted Student ACT avg. of 33, so it keeps attracting many of the top students in the country and the world.