Opportunity Program

The Hamilton College Opportunity Program (OP) is comprised of two components of equal academic support: The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) for New York State residents whose family incomes meet the eligibility guidelines, and the Hamilton College Scholars Program for students who are outside the HEOP eligibility requirements.

All students selected and offered admission to Hamilton College through the Opportunity Program have demonstrated academic competitiveness, leadership, initiative, and the potential for success in Hamilton’s rigorous academic environment through the program’s personal, relationship-based mentorship designed to champion and advise students as they chart their educational journeys.

Students who enroll at Hamilton through the Opportunity Program will benefit from robust resources for enhancing student opportunities and experiences as they grow and learn through self-discovery, intellectual exploration, and community bonds. Enabled by academic and personal support, mentorship, and advocacy for the duration of their time at the College, Opportunity Program students have a rich history of being leaders and innovators on and off campus.

Important Things to Note:

• Participation and successful completion of the five-week OP Summer Program is required in order to fully matriculate at Hamilton in the fall.

• The program runs from Saturday, June 28, 2025 – Saturday, August 2, 2025.

• All costs, including housing, food, weekend excursions, and travel during the OP Summer Program are covered by the Opportunity Program Office.

Benefits of the Opportunity Program Include:

• Through the successful completion of the OP Summer Program, students will have firsthand experience with Hamilton’s academically rigorous coursework taught by Hamilton College faculty. Students will also fulfill Hamilton’s Physical Education and Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning graduation requirements as well as earn one academic credit.
• Each student will be assigned a Opportunity Program staff member as their advisor during the summer program that will mentor and advise them during their time at Hamilton.
• Students will have access to enhanced academic support through Hamilton’s Writing Center and Quantitative & Symbolic Reasoning Center.
• Students will have access to OP programming for the duration of their time at Hamilton, including workshops, alumni networking events, and social programming to help foster a strong sense of community and belonging.
• Students have access to the Phyllis A.H. Breland Center for Student Academic Excellence as a space to study and be in community with peers with comfortable furniture as well as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

We are excited to welcome you into the OP community and look forward to working with you throughout your journey at Hamilton. More information will be shared from the Opportunity Program office in the coming months.

For more information about our office and the summer program, please visit the Opportunity Program website, or contact Aaron Ray, Opportunity Program Director, at 315-859-4398 or array@hamilton.edu.