News
Acceptance rate low and tuition high
By Dan Snyder ’17
April 10, 2015
Recently, Hamilton made two announcements with a significant impact on the student body. The potential members of the Class of 2019 received acceptance letters and the tuition for the 2015-16 academic year was announced.
Hundreds of potential Hamilton students received good news on March 27 when acceptance letters were sent out to regular decision applicants. The Class of 2019 had a record number of applicants with 5,434. This is a substantial jump from 5,071 last year, 5,017 in 2013 and 5,107 in 2012. Of those applicants, a total of 1,301 were admitted at early and regular decision. This brought the acceptance rate down to 24 percent from 26 percent last year and 27 percent the previous two years.
The average SAT score of those admitted to the Class of 2019 was 1429 with 59 percent using the SAT to fulfill the testing requirement. Thirty percent used the ACT to satisfy the testing requirement with an average score of 32. Of the 39 percent of admits who attend high school that rank, 85 percent are in the top 10 percent of their class.
Current admits come from 37 countries and 49 states, with the most highly represented states being New York, Massachusetts, California, New Jersey and Connecticut. In terms of diversity, 29 percent identify as Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American or Multiracial and 73 international students were identified.
On the Class of 2019, Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Monica Inzer said, “Of course Hamilton’s admits are so much more than their numbers; they are talented, interesting, quirky, funny, smart, brave and kind. It is a privilege to read their applications and consider their candidacy and it is worth noting that we care more about the students we can’t take than anyone would ever imagine.”
The early decision admits already know where they will be come August 2015, but many of the regular decision admits have a tough decision ahead of them. Inzer commented, “This year’s cohort will have great options, Hamilton among them, and we are grateful for all in our community who partner with us over the month of April to demonstrate, on campus and virtually through social media and other outreach efforts, why Hamilton is worthy of their very strong consideration.”
There will be an open house for accepted students on Monday April 20 and this year there are some new sessions planned and a special appearance from the mascot, Alex.
In a March 9 letter to parents, President Joan Hinde Stewart announced the tuition and total cost of a Hamilton education for the 2015-16 academic year. The Board of Trustees approved a $173.9 million budget, translating to a $62,070 comprehensive fee for each student, up from $59,970 last year. This price includes $49,010 for tuition, $6,870 for room, $5,700 for the full meal plan and a student activities fee of $490. For the 2014-15 academic year the breakdown was $47,350 for tuition, $6,640 for room, $5,510 for the board plan, and $470 for the student activities fee.
In the letter, Stewart assured parents that she and the trustees are doing all that they can to keep the cost to parents and students down. She anticipates that $42.5 million will be provided by contributions from alumni, parents and friends, which will allow the school to increase the financial aid budget by 7.2 percent to $36.6 million. In addition, faculty members will receive modest salary increases, all new students will participate in an extended orientation program, the academic program in the Adirondacks will launch and the off-campus study office will receive further investment. Lastly, Physical Plant spending over the summer is projected to be at least $7 million.
President Stewart wrote, “We will continue doing all that we can to ensure that Hamilton is worthy of the investment you are making in your child’s future, whether you rely on scholarship aid or pay the full comprehensive fee. The trustees, senior staff and I take seriously our responsibility to provide the best possible education, while keeping Hamilton accessible to deserving and talented students.”