International Admission
Your education will be shaped and enhanced by the presence of many different perspectives. At Hamilton, we welcome students from more than 47 states and 54 countries. International students comprise 7% of our student body, and 16% of our students are international citizens, including dual citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
Our professors work closely with students to help them find their focus and passion while developing skills and relationships that last a lifetime. Our open curriculum emphasizes critical reasoning, analysis, and communication skills. This prepares Hamilton graduates for careers ranging from health care to law to business and government service. We are proud of the impact that our international students have on Hamilton’s vibrant community.
Hamilton is a safe, supportive, and opportunity-rich community. Whether through research, leading student organizations or pursuing internships, Hamilton students are actively engaged in and out of the classroom.
International Applicant FAQs
There is no separate application for international students. International students follow essentially the same procedures as all students applying to Hamilton. We use the Common Application or Coalition Application. Please note that all official documents must be translated, preferably by an official agency, if the originals are not in English.
Please visit this page where you will find information about Hamilton’s English language proficiency requirement.
Yes. If Hamilton is your first choice, you should apply under one of our Early Decision plans. The admission deadlines for Early Decision are November 15 (Early Decision Plan I) or January 3 (Early Decision Plan II). Students who apply Regular Decision may also convert their application to Early Decision Plan II any time before January 29.
Please note that Early Decision is a binding agreement. If accepted under one of our Early Decision plans, a student must withdraw all other applications and make a commitment to enroll at Hamilton College. Failure to do so may jeopardize your admission to Hamilton as well as other colleges.
Absolutely. Hamilton typically admits transfers for both fall and spring admission, provided we have space on campus, and international students almost always are included in those cohorts. More information about transfer admission can be found here.
Please visit our Fee Waiver page to see if you are eligible.
Hamilton requires the Certification of Finances, available in your applicant portal, for all international applicants, regardless of whether or not you are applying for financial aid. Students applying for financial aid will also need to submit the CSS Profile.
Applicants may choose to submit standardized testing scores, but they are not required. Choosing whether or not to submit test scores is a personal decision for every applicant. Hamilton’s selection process is centered on academic achievement and the ability to flourish in our community, and any additional information you provide to support your academic potential can be helpful. Please see our standardized testing web page for more details. Note that most international students are required to demonstrate their English language proficiency.
Hamilton offers virtual interviews to international applicants. While not required, these interviews provide you with the opportunity to learn more about Hamilton and for Hamilton to learn more about you.
If we are unable to accommodate your virtual interview request, you are welcome to submit a video interview through one of our third-party partners (Initialview or Vericant). If this option is a financial burden for you and your family, please contact Anna Wise, our Director of International Recruitment.
Each case is different. Although Hamilton seeks to enroll well-rounded students, we realize that in many countries extracurricular activities are not a priority. If you have been an active member of a club or organization, participated in community service projects, held a job, played sports, etc., please mention these in your application. If you are interested in pursuing the visual or performing arts at Hamilton, we welcome supplementary materials that follow our guidelines.
International applicants from the Americas and Oceania should contact Addie Bartlett, Assistant Dean of Admission. Applicants from the U.K., Africa, Asia, and Europe should contact Anna Wise, Associate Dean of Admission and Director of International Recruitment. For more details, please visit our Admission Staff page.
Of course. Hamilton welcomes applications from students from around the world. Our admission committee will evaluate your application and accomplishment within the context of your education system and school. Please note that external foreign credential evaluations are not required, but students may need to provide certified translations if their original documents are not in English.
Hamilton offers multiple opportunities for virtual engagement. We encourage you to visit our Visit and Engage webpage to learn about virtual programming, interviews, and information sessions.
Absolutely! Feel free to reach out to:
- David Batbayar '25 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
- Allen Cao ’24 (Shenzhen, China)
- Isis Riviere ’25 (Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago)
Hamilton does offer individualized tutoring for multilingual students through the Writing Center and Oral Communication Center. All Hamilton students are required to demonstrate English proficiency during the application process, but many need additional support when adjusting to Hamilton's communication-intensive environment. Multilingual students who have specific questions may contact Laura Widman, Multilingual Specialist, at lwidman@hamilton.edu.
Our credit policies vary by department. For the most up-to-date information regarding transfer credit, we encourage you to visit the website of the College Registrar.
Hamilton does not restrict participation in programs to students based on nationality or geographic origin. International students are frequent and enthusiastic participants in research opportunities, internships and study abroad. For certain internship programs, Curricular Practical Training is available.
Dr. Omobonike Odegbami, Director of International Student Services, works with students and internship employers to ensure compliance.
Every student who enrolls at Hamilton College is paired with a career advisor who will work with you throughout your four years, helping you identify skills and interests, explore career options, and connect with alumni for job or internship opportunities. Though Hamilton is a liberal arts college, many of our students pursue pre-professional programs (business, medical, engineering) and we have advisors and programs to support students who want to pursue those paths. Hamilton has a specific international career mentorship program which pairs Hamilton international alumni with current Hamilton students for guidance, networking and career preparation.
Hamilton is located in rural New York state, in the picturesque town of Clinton. We are four hours from the cities of Boston, New York City and Toronto. Our community is very safe and our Campus Safety officers provide unmatched service and care for our students. Safety measures include personal escorts, security texting services, shuttle services to the local area (we call these Jitneys). We also have our own Health and Counseling Center on campus, and an EMT program. Hamilton provides an annual report of campus safety and fire safety statistics.
Hamilton will pick you up from the Syracuse International Airport or the train or bus stations in Utica, New York, at the beginning of each semester. To be able to participate in this service, international students should fly to a U.S. airport, and transition on to either Utica or Syracuse on the date that will be provided from the Dean of Students’ Office. Uber, Lyft, and other shuttle services and companies are also available for you to arrange transportation on your own.
Yes! Dr. Omobonike Odegbami serves as our Director of International Student Services and works closely with all international students at Hamilton. Dr. Odegbami supports students through immigration support as well as on campus programming, and is located in the Days-Massolo Center.
Contact
Office of Admission