Hamilton Creative Writing Major

That we're preppy white kids from Northeast prep schools.

That stereotype represents probably half of the student body. The rest of Hamilton students come from very diverse backgrounds and represent many different ethinicities, cultural and economic backgrounds.

I love Hamilton. The best part is the small campus. It's so nice to walk across campus and recognize many faces. Additionally, a small campus allows professors to get to know students really well and give them personal attention in and outside of the classroom. It is a great feeling when I professor I had last semester came up to me a few weeks ago and commented on an article I had written for the campus magazine. Hamilton is a lot of work, which sometimes makes it difficult to have an active social life. On the other hand, most classes are really interesting and since the professors are really challenging, my writing has improved a hundredfold and that is an essential skill I can take with me after graduation.

Hamilton has no core curriculum, which is one of the biggest pulls for the school. This means once you pass an easy qualitative literacy test or class, and take three (actually enjoyable) gym classes and pass an easy swim and fitness test, you have no requirements outside of your major. You choose to take the classes you want to, no requirements. This is great because you don't waste time in classes you are uninterested in, but also means that every student in your class wants to be there, insighting better class discussions and allows the professor to be more challenging. And Hamilton professors expect you to work hard. They are demanding, but my writing has improved a hundredfold under their tutorage and that is an essential skill that I can take with me after graduation. My favorite classes are taught by Professor Ambrose in the history department because even though he is one of the most challenging professors on campus, he is a genuinely nice person and so enthusatic about history he often runs around the classroom or stands on desks to get his point across, which is really inspiring. At the end of the semester he also invites all his classes to his house to have dinner with his family, which is a great experience. The English department is also very strong, although some professors are better than others. I once read the advice from a Hamilton alumni "to take the professor, not the class" and that is really true. No matter the subject, a great professor can make a class amazing and inspiring, and a poor professor can ruin it.

There have been many issues on campus lately on how to make minority students feel more welcomed on campus because Hamilton is admitting more students of diverse backgrounds but we don't yet have the resources to necessarily make all groups feel included. We are working on it, though. Since we are a small community, however, different types of students interact regularly in classes, sports teams, campus organizations, and socially. The vast majority of Hamilton students come from NY, MA, and CT, but almost every state is represented and there is a large percentage of internation students hailing from Mexico, Norwary, Tanzania, India, China, etc. Many students come from a privledged economic background, but Hamilton offers a very good financial aid package, so that allows students of less financial means to attend Hamilton, and as one of those students, I have never felt excluded due to my financial situation.

Hamilton's social life is a little disappointing. The majority of campus activities on the weekend revolve around a party and drinking. Some parties are hosted by fraternities and sororities, but all students are welcomed to attend, and frats and sororities don't play a major part in Hamilton's social life. Hamilton also tries to bring in other activities such as musical and dance performances and speakers. We hosted Aretha Franklin last weekend, and her performance was a one in a lifetime opportunity. There really isn't a dating scene at Hamilton. Offcampus, there really isn't much to do. The town of Clinton is cute and offers your basic grocery store, but really don't cater to college students, although a new cafe recently opened hoping to do just that. A twenty minute ride away, by the vans Hamilton opperates to take students off campus, there is the town of New Hartford which has a mall and just about every chain store or restaurant you can think of. New York and Boston are both about a four hour drive away, and Hamilton often offers bus ride and sponsered events in the city.