<p>This might seem like an obvious or an obnoxious question, but does anyone have any insight on how to get in to Hamilton? As of now, it is my first choice school, and I would love to bolster myself up with anything that they particularly like.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I will be attending this fall and it was also my first choice school, however I also applied to several other compreble schools like bates and trinity, I was rejected by bates and waitlisted at trinity, but I had a GREAT interview for Hamilton so take that as you will.</p>
<p>I’m also attending in the fall. I was accepted to Hamilton and waitlisted at Vassar and Haverford. I had great interviews at all of the colleges. they all seem to be in the same range for grades and SATs (I’m in the top 5% and scored a 2200). The difference for me was my campus visits.</p>
<p>At Haverford, I had a relatively normal campus visit during my interview. I never got to visit Vassar because of surgery that kept me off my feet. At Hamilton I originally hurt myself the day before open house. I went to open house anyway, on crutches. This impressed the admissions folks and I think made my interest apparent.</p>
<p>So, I guess, my advice is to trash your ankle right before your visit and look as pathetic as possible… worked for me.</p>
<p>I’m going in the fall too, and all I can say is be really awesome.</p>
<p>And actually… Don’t try to be Hamilton’s model student. Because there isn’t one. Hamilton wants real people. Be yourself. I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to tell in your interview if you’re actually passionate about something. And really, I don’t think that you can “bolster yourself up with things they really like” or whatnot. Because… Hamilton likes everything, as long as you do too, I guess. I’ve talked to several people in the class of 2013 already, and there’s no one universal type. We’re all unique and we’re all passionate about what we do. That’s what Hamilton picks for, I’m pretty sure. Intelligent, passionate people that can actually bring something unique to the table, as opposed to cookie-cutter space fillers.</p>
<p>So… I’m guessing that probably wasn’t what you’re looking for, but it’s the truth in my opinion. At least, it’s something to think about before you try and be someone you’re not. :/</p>
<p>Oh wow thanks for the responses guys!</p>
<p>Penelope-- I may be dedicated, but I don’t think I’m actually going to snap my ankle for an in. Though, sadly, I know a couple of people who would gladly throw themselves down a flight of stairs for Ivy acceptance. :/</p>
<p>Floee-- Haha I think you might have misinterpreted my question a bit. I wasn’t planning on changing myself to fit the school in the slightest. For example, if you had said Admissions was impressed with musicians, I wouldn’t have gone out and bought a cello. In all honesty, I have some really focused interests (I’ve written two full length screenplays and plan on writing another this summer that my friend and I are going to produce next year), I’m just worried they’re a bit too focused. I kind of bopped through high school to the beat of my own iPod, so to speak (and completely butcher Thoreau). I focused on what I liked to do, like independent writing projects, rather than doing things for credit or awards. I’m nervous that my application will look empty and boring now because I haven’t really done anything of importance, especially when compared to a lot of the people on this board (who have incredible GPAs, SATs, and ECs) and some of the people in my school (who spend their summers doing elaborate internships in NYC, or community service in third world countries). I guess what you’re saying is that my passion will pop out in my interview, which is luckily one of my strengths, but I’m kind of uneasy about my lack of eye-catching occupations. I don’t exactly have what one would call a solid GPA (Math really isn’t my thing, and my grades from freshman and sophomore year majorly screwed me over) and I don’t want to be thrown in a trash pile by a school I think I could thrive at.</p>
<p>Phew, that was long winded. Sorry for chewing your ear off. :]</p>
<p>Hee… I went to Hamilton’s open house on crutches because I had no idea how bad I’d hurt myself. My mom asked me if I still wanted to go and I said I should be fine by the morning, so we took the trip. No pun intended. When I got there, I realized I had made a grievous error in judgment. There was no way I was going to be able to get around campus enought to follow a tour. So we did the info session and I went to admissions to introduce myself to my admissions officer, and we went home. I honestly didn’t much like Hamilton at that point, but I was in a lot of pain.</p>
<p>My parents encouraged me to go up for an interview and give the tour a try again after my surgery and a couple of months of rehab. I had a great interview and I loved the campus and came away from the school with Hamilton up near the top of my list. But if we’re talking about what stood out about me for the admissions department, I think it was the continuing conversation I had with my admissions officer over email and the fact that I showed up the day after my ankle exploded. Like I said, colleges want to be wanted and I think it showed them I was serious about my interest in Hamilton far more than a well-written essay could have.</p>
<p>Oh, you have no idea how many people try to “change” themselves for college admissions process. I’ve seen it. It’s bad.
But, I understand you. I’m more like you. I did what I wanted to do and that’s about it. But that got me in. In my interview, I talked about exactly two things. The environment and drama. Absolutely nothing else. So yeah, it’s fine. Don’t worry. Just be yourself in the whole process.</p>
<p>Also going in the fall - and I second what everyone said so far!
Be yourself! Be confident and know what you believe and have an interview and ROCK it! They really take those interviews seriously.</p>