Hamilton Adds Harvard, Duke, and Vanderbilt to Early Assurance Grad Program Network
The new partnerships with the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management will offer opportunities for students to earn early assurance of admission to some of the world’s most respected graduate programs in education, business, and finance.
Earlier this year, the College announced similar pathway partnerships with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Chicago.
Interested students apply to a pathway while applying to Hamilton. Those admitted to a pathway program will arrive at Hamilton for their first year already connected to a top graduate program, giving them a clearer sense of what comes next. They will also be part of program-specific cohorts supported by Hamilton faculty and staff, with additional opportunities for mentorship, advising, professional development, and engagement with the partner institution throughout their undergraduate experience.
“These institutions recognize that Hamilton students arrive with the intellectual curiosity, communication skills, and collaborative mindset needed to succeed in graduate education and leadership roles across a wide range of fields.”
“The growing number of partnerships reflects the confidence that several of the world’s leading graduate programs have in how a Hamilton education prepares students,” said John McLaughlin, vice president for enrollment management and dean of admission. “These institutions recognize that Hamilton students arrive with the intellectual curiosity, communication skills, and collaborative mindset needed to succeed in graduate education and leadership roles across a wide range of fields.”
The pathways are designed to help students connect their undergraduate experience with long-term academic and professional goals while still taking full advantage of Hamilton’s residential liberal arts experience. Depending on the partnership, students may benefit from application fee waivers, guaranteed interviews, scholarships, accelerated timelines, mentorship opportunities, and access to professional networks and alumni communities.
New Partnerships
Each partnership is designed to support students at different points in their college experience while building on Hamilton’s open curriculum and emphasis on communication, collaboration, and critical inquiry. Students entering Hamilton in Fall 2027 and future classes will be eligible for the programs.
Participation and admission are subject to each institution’s requirements and review process.
Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE)
Students may pursue graduate study through HGSE’s Teaching and Teacher Leadership and Human Development and Education programs, both leading to the Master of Education (Ed.M.) degree.
This collaboration between Hamilton and HGSE results in a pathway that emphasizes interdisciplinary study, experiential learning, and professional engagement throughout students’ time at Hamilton. Participants are encouraged to pursue research, internships, mentorship, and other applied experiences connected to education and human development before continuing to graduate study at one of the world’s leading schools of education.
“This partnership with Hamilton College reflects what we value at the Harvard Graduate School of Education: strong ideas, purposeful learning, and a commitment to improving lives through education. Hamilton students bring a liberal arts foundation that prepares them to draw connections across fields, ask thoughtful questions, and engage deeply with the challenges facing schools, communities, and learners. We are excited to create this pathway and look forward to the impact these students will make.”
Maritza Hernandez
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Services
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Students may pursue select master’s programs in management, business analytics, sustainability, and related fields through Duke’s Fuqua School of Business (Fuqua).
The pathway combines Hamilton’s broad liberal arts foundation with Fuqua’s collaborative “Team Fuqua” approach to leadership and problem-solving. Benefits include application fee waivers, guaranteed interviews, scholarship consideration, and opportunities to engage with Fuqua faculty, alumni, and professional development programming throughout students’ undergraduate experience.
"Duke University's Fuqua School of Business is thrilled to launch this new partnership with Hamilton College and to deepen our connection with students from this vibrant liberal arts community. At Fuqua, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and enrich the learning experience, and we look forward to welcoming talented Hamilton students to apply to our one-year programs. We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make as part of Team Fuqua.”
Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions
Duke University's Fuqua School of Business
Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management
The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) pathway at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management creates a structured 4+1 route from Hamilton to Vanderbilt’s MSF program. Hamilton students receive dedicated academic and career advising throughout their undergraduate experience while preparing for careers in finance, analytics, consulting, and related fields. Pathway participants may also benefit from application fee waivers, scholarship support, and ongoing engagement with Vanderbilt representatives and alumni.
“Liberal arts graduates bring something distinctive to graduate business education — the ability to think across disciplines and lead with intellectual range. Hamilton produces exactly that kind of student. At Vanderbilt Business, they’ll find a program ready to put that foundation to work and help them build what’s next. We're excited about what this means for both institutions.”
Thomas Steenburgh
Ralph Owen Dean, Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management
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