Hamilton College

Date: Feb 27 2010
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
Hamilton is a typical liberal arts school that stresses a broad foundation of knowledge while supporting intellectual curiosity and improving writing ability. In my four years here, I have been astonished by the professors' involvement in their students' life in class or at a sporting event. Hamilton's unique open curriculum allows students to take classes they enjoy as early as freshmen year and helped me discover early on what I liked, and didn't like to study.

Hamilton's community is like a big family (my mother often gets offended when I refer to it as "home"). Yet there's no denying that it is my home away from home. From the student you don't know but say hi because you pass him on your way to class every day to Marge (works in Commons dining hall) who will tell you the stories of former Hamilton students who send her birthday cards, the relationships you form here are extraordinary and challenge you always to be the best you can be.

The only downside to Hamilton would be its rural location, away from any metropolitan scene. While the college tries to bring a lot of entertainment options and student organizations plan different events, some weekends can feel a little longer than others. I think it is exactly this environment, however, that made me feel comfortable to try out things I never would have before and get creative with my friends to occupy our times. On one slow, winter weekend when the Hill was filled with snow, the Dean of Students challenged the campus to make snowmen, awarding the creators of the best snowman a $100 pizza party. My roommates and I piled on our warmest winter apparel and built a snowman that was taller than all of us (with a beet-red mouth and broccoli eyes). Even though we didn't win, I haven't had that much fun playing in the snow since elementary school.

I didn't think I wanted to come to a rural, liberal arts school when I first applied to colleges, but coming to Hamilton has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. While I'm ready to leave the Hill and go to a city for grad school, I would not trade my experiences here. The people that I have met, the academic instruction I have received have all helped me grow to realize how to use my potential and seize any opportunities that come my way in the future.