Hampshire College

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 1965 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 41st among all US colleges in the percentage of its graduates who go on to attain a doctorate degree. Its School of Cognitive Science was the first interdisciplinary undergraduate program in cognitive science and still has few peers.

Many Hampshire students graduate in fewer or greater than four years. Hampshire is also part of the SAT optional movement for undergraduate admission.

Curriculum

Hampshire College describes itself as "experimenting" rather than "experimental" in order to emphasize the continually changing nature of its curriculum. However, from its inception the curriculum has generally had certain non-traditional features:

  • An emphasis on project work as well as, or instead of, courses.
  • Detailed written evaluations (as well as portfolio evaluations) for completed courses and projects, rather than letter or number grades.
  • A curriculum centered on student interests, with students taking an active role in designing their own concentrations and projects.
  • An emphasis on independent motivation and student organization, both within and without the college's formal curriculum.

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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

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

Degree Programs at Hampshire College

Bachelor's Level Majors

College Advice

Yahoo
I am interested to know
17 months ago
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
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?
22 months ago
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]
  • 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]
  • Dakin House dormitory
    Dakin House dormitory [source]
  • The Yurt is home to Hampshire's student radio station
    The Yurt is home to Hampshire's student radio station [source]
  • [source]
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