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Hampshire College

893 West St, Amherst, MA 01002

http://www.hampshire.edu/

Photos:

Emily Dickinson Hall, designed by the architecture firm of former faculty member Norton Juster, houses much of the humanities, creative writing, and theatre
Emily Dickinson Hall, designed by the architecture firm of former faculty member Norton Juster, houses much of the humanities, creative writing, and theatre
[source]

School Description

Provided by Hampshire College

Education at Hampshire College prepares students to understand and participate responsibly in a complex world. Through its actions and policies, the college sets an example of the responsible and creative behavior it expects of its students.

As a liberal arts college, Hampshire helps students develop confidence in their intellect, creativity, and values. It encourages their desire to be lifelong learners and their capacity to advance the cause of social justice and the well being of others. The college fosters these attitudes through: a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural curriculum; self-initiated, individual programs of study negotiated with faculty mentors; students’ active participation in original research; and the diverse communities, on campus and off, in which learning takes place. Within the college’s residential community students encounter and learn to respect difference and appreciate diversity, thereby enhancing their capacity to live together well.

Through commitment to testing and evaluating new ideas and new approaches to learning, national efforts to promote inquiry-based learning and teaching, and constructive civic and social engagement, Hampshire's actions serve as models for those of its students.

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Hampshire College

From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Hampshire College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1970 as an experiment in alternative education, to be in association with four other colleges in the Pioneer Valley: Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Together they are now known as the Five Colleges.

The College is widely known for its alternative curriculum, its focus on portfolios rather than distribution requirements, and its reliance on narrative evaluations instead of grades and GPAs. It is known particularly for facilitating the study of film, theater, and the visual arts. In some fields it is among the top undergraduate institutions in graduate-school enrollment: fifty-six percent of its alumni have at least one graduate degree and it is ranked 30th among all US colleges in the percentage of its graduates who go on to attain a doctorate degree (notably 1st among history doctorates), when adjusted for institutional size. Its School of Cognitive Science was the first interdisciplinary undergraduate program in cognitive science and has few peers. Hampshire is part of the SAT optional movement for undergraduate admission.

History

The college opened to students in 1970; its history dates to the immediate aftermath of World War II. The first The New College Plan was drafted in 1958 by the presidents of the then-Four Colleges; it was revised several times as planning for the College began in the 1960s. Many original ideas for non-traditional arrangements for the College's curriculum, campus, and life were discarded along the way. Many new ideas generated during the planning process were not described in the original documents.

During several years immediately after its founding in the early 1970s, Hampshire College was among the most selective undergraduate programs in the United States Its admissions selectivity declined thereafter, but the school's number of applications increased in the late 1990s, allowing for greater admissions selectivity since then. The college's rate of admissions is now comparable to that of many other small liberal arts colleges.

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Read the full entry on Wikipedia

Quick Facts

Chance of Admission:
Location:
Northeast
Setting:
Small Town Setting
Type:
Private
Size:
Small (Under 2,000 Undergrad)

Students & Campus Life

Undergraduate Enrollment:
1,334
On Campus Housing:
Available
Full Time Students:
100%
Athletic Programs:
Unavailable
> More Students & Campus Life

Expenses

Average Tuition:
$ 47,000
Students Receiving Aid:
69%
> More Expenses & Financial Aid

Admissions

Application Fee:
$ 55
Selectivity:
Highly Selective
> More Admissions

Degree Programs at Hampshire College

Bachelor's Level Programs

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources

    See more schools with programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources
    • Agriculture Business See more schools with programs in Agriculture Business
      • Agriculture
        Core skills taught in this four year program include agricultural research and production. Students in this program are prepared to apply these core skills to find solutions to practical agricultural problems. This major includes instruction in basic animal, plant, and soil science; animal husbandry and plant cultivation; soil conservation; and agricultural operations such as farming, ranching, and agricultural business.
        See more schools with programs in Agriculture

  • Arts & Humanities

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    • Architecture See more schools with programs in Architecture
      • Architecture and Related Services
        These four, six, or eight year programs allow individuals to practice architecture and conduct research in architecture. Topics covered include architectural design, history, and theory; building structures and environmental systems; project and site planning; construction; professional responsibilities and standards; and related cultural, social, economic, and environmental issues.
        See more schools with programs in Architecture and Related Services
    • English Language and Literature See more schools with programs in English Language and Literature
      • English Language and Literature
        A general program that focuses on the English language, including its history, structure and related communications skills; and the literature and culture of English-speaking peoples.
        See more schools with programs in English Language and Literature
    • Film and Theater See more schools with programs in Film and Theater
      • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
        A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.
        See more schools with programs in Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
    • General Studies See more schools with programs in General Studies
    • History See more schools with programs in History
      • History
        A program that focuses on the general study and interpretation of the past, including the gathering, recording, synthesizing and criticizing of evidence and theories about past events. Includes instruction in historiography; historical research methods; studies of specific periods, issues and cultures; and applications to areas such as historic preservation, public policy, and records administration.
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    • Music See more schools with programs in Music
      • General Music
        A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media.
        See more schools with programs in General Music
    • Performing Arts See more schools with programs in Performing Arts
      • General Dance
        A general program that prepares individuals to express ideas, feelings, and/or inner visions through the performance of one or more of the dance disciplines, including but not limited to ballet, modern, jazz, ethnic, and folk dance, and that focuses on the study and analysis of dance as a cultural phenomenon. Includes instruction in technique, choreography, Laban notation, dance history and criticism, and dance production.
        See more schools with programs in General Dance
    • Religion/Religious Studies See more schools with programs in Religion/Religious Studies
    • Visual Arts See more schools with programs in Visual Arts

  • Communication & Media

    See more schools with programs in Communication & Media
    • Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
      A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.
      See more schools with programs in Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
    • Design and Applied Arts
      See more schools with programs in Design and Applied Arts

  • Education

    See more schools with programs in Education
    • General Education See more schools with programs in General Education
      • General Education
        A program that focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching; the basic principles of educational psychology; the art of teaching; the planning and administration of educational activities; school safety and health issues; and the social foundations of education.
        See more schools with programs in General Education

  • Health & Medical Services

    See more schools with programs in Health & Medical Services

  • Interdisciplinary Studies

    See more schools with programs in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Cognitive Science
      A program that focuses on the study of the mind and the nature of intelligence from the interdisciplinary perspectives of computer science, philosophy, mathematics, psychology, neuroscience, and other disciplines. Includes instruction in mathematics and logic, cognitive process modeling, dynamic systems, learning theories, brain and cognition, neural networking, programming, and applications to topics such as language acquisition, computer systems, and perception and behavior.
      See more schools with programs in Cognitive Science

  • Life Science

    See more schools with programs in Life Science
    • Biology See more schools with programs in Biology
      • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
        Students in this program study general biology at an introductory level. This major provides students with a broad overview of biology and includes instruction in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.
        See more schools with programs in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

  • Mathematics and Statistics

    See more schools with programs in Mathematics and Statistics
    • General Mathematics
      A general program that focuses on the analysis of quantities, magnitudes, forms, and their relationships, using symbolic logic and language. Includes instruction in algebra, calculus, functional analysis, geometry, number theory, logic, topology and other mathematical specializations.
      See more schools with programs in General Mathematics

  • Natural Sciences

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    • Physics See more schools with programs in Physics
      • General Physical Sciences
        A program that focuses on the major topics, concepts, processes, and interrelationships of physical phenomena as studied in any combination of physical science disciplines.
        See more schools with programs in General Physical Sciences

  • Social Sciences

    See more schools with programs in Social Sciences
    • Anthropology See more schools with programs in Anthropology
      • General Anthropology
        A program that focuses on the systematic study of human beings, their antecedents and related primates, and their cultural behavior and institutions, in comparative perspective. Includes instruction in biological/physical anthropology, primatology, human paleontology and prehistoric archeology, hominid evolution, anthropological linguistics, ethnography, ethnology, ethnohistory, socio-cultural anthropology, psychological anthropology, research methods, and applications to areas such as medicine, forensic pathology, museum studies, and international affairs.
        See more schools with programs in General Anthropology
    • Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies See more schools with programs in Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
    • Economics See more schools with programs in Economics
      • General Economics
        A general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Includes instruction in economic theory, micro- and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.
        See more schools with programs in General Economics
    • International Relations and Affairs See more schools with programs in International Relations and Affairs
      • General Political Science and Government
        A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies 0f specific political institutions and processes.
        See more schools with programs in General Political Science and Government
    • Psychology See more schools with programs in Psychology
      • General Psychology
        A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
        See more schools with programs in General Psychology
    • Sociology See more schools with programs in Sociology
      • Other Social Sciences
        See more schools with programs in Other Social Sciences
      • Sociology
        A program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. Includes instruction in social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, social stratification and hierarchies, dynamics of social change, family structures, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social groups, social institutions, and social problems.
        See more schools with programs in Sociology

  • Technology

    See more schools with programs in Technology
    • Software Development See more schools with programs in Software Development
      • Computer and Information Sciences
        A general program that focuses on computing, computer science, and information science and systems as part of a broad and/or interdisciplinary program. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content and are not to be confused with specific programs in computer science, information science, or related support services.
        See more schools with programs in Computer and Information Sciences

Students

General

Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Full-Time 100%
Part-Time 0%
Men vs. Women
Women 61%
Men 39%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian 74%
Other 15%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 3%
African-American 3%

Geography

In State vs. Out-of-State
Out-of-State 85%
In-State 15%
Top States for Incoming Freshman
Massachusetts 15%
New York 13%
California 7%
New Jersey 6%
Pennsylvania 6%
Percent of Students International: 3%

Housing

On-Campus Housing Available: Yes
Percent of Students Living On-Campus: 86%
Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: Yes
Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) Expenses  
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 47,000    
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 580    
Financial Aid Avg. Amount Received % of Students Receiving Aid  
Federal Grants:
 $ 3,875 16%  
State and Local Grants:
 $ 860 9%  
Institutional Grants:
 $ 16,235 69%  
Student Loans:
 $ 2,625 53%  
Any Aid:
   69%  

Selectivity (Undergraduate Only)

Acceptance Rate: 50% (Highly Selective)
Test Scores  
SAT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting SAT Scores: 86%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Verbal: 600, Math: 560
Top 75th Percentile: Verbal: 710, Math: 660

Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)

Application Fee: $ 55.00
Formal Demonstration of Competencies: Recommended
High School Diploma or Equivalent: Recommended
High School GPA: Recommended
High School Rank: Recommended
High School Record: Required
Recommendations: Required
TOEFL: Required
Test Scores: Recommended

College Advice

Yahoo
Worried
Worried

Question: What do you think of Hampshire College?

I am interested to know
31 months ago
Professor X
Profe...

Best Answer

Hampshire is terrific. It has an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum, superb professors, and an excellent reputation. Students at Hampshire need to be really driven, passionate, creative, and self-motivated, because courses and projects are often independently-conceived, and done without a lot of supervision. Bottom line: Great school, but not for the reluctant, irresponsible, or uninspired student.
Hon
Hon

Question: How is Hampshire College?

I heard that people are more likely to get full ride scholarships from small liberal arts colleges than any other colleges, public or private. Is this true? I like their animal science program as well as the 5 college consortium idea. Has any one gone to this school or been in one of the 5 colleges in the program?
37 months ago
Professor X
Profe...

Best Answer

Hampshire is a great school. And yes, it is true that well-endowed elite liberal arts colleges fund their students at much more substantial levels than other institutions. If you can gain admission, you will be well-supported, especially if you come from a lower-income family, but even if your family is middle-income. Here's what Hampshire itself says: "Hampshire College has a strong committment to accessibility through a very generous financial aid program. Financial aid at Hampshire is designed to supplement the family's contribution toward the costs of a Hampshire education. 2006/2007 Cost of Attendance Tuition: $33,855 Tuition, Room, Board: $42,915 Financial Aid Statistics Annual Financial Aid Budget: $18 million Percentage of students receiving Hampshire grants: 52% Average financial aid grant: $20,500 Average financial aid package: $28,500 Range of financial aid packages: $7,700 - $40,000 Average debt of May, 2006 graduating class: $14,100 In addition to need-based financial aid, Hampshire also offers several merit-based scholarships and matching scholarships to applicants each year. Renewable annual merit-based scholarships range between $1,000 to $12,500." It is the average debt of the May 06 graduating class that is the most important (and astonishing) figure. Hampshire's interdisciplinary curriculum is suited to independent thinkers, whose academic interests stretch beyond the boundaries of conventional college departments or majors. If you are this sort of student, and if you are a motivated self-starter, Hampshire might be the perfect place for you. The consortium is indeed a wonderful resource as well. I have close friends and colleagues who attended Hampshire, as well as Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Amherst. None of the folks I know regret a minute of their college experiences. Best wishes to you!

Photos

  • Emily Dickinson Hall, designed by the architecture firm of former faculty member Norton Juster, houses much of the humanities, creative writing, and theatre
    Emily Dickinson Hall, designed by the architecture firm of former faculty member Norton Juster, houses much of the humanities, creative writing, and theatre [source]
  • Cole Science Center contains the School of Natural Science and administrative offices
    Cole Science Center contains the School of Natural Science and administrative offices [source]
  • [source]
  • The 'H' logo of Hampshire College, used separately from the seal. The four colored bars represent the other four colleges that formed Hampshire.
    The 'H' logo of Hampshire College, used separately from the seal. The four colored bars represent the other four colleges that formed Hampshire. [source]
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Hampshire College
Amherst, MA 01002
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