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First in the Family


The Hamilton community welcomes and embraces students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we have a special affinity for first-year students who are among the first in their family to attend college.

Beginning with the President, and including two-thirds of the members of her senior staff, Hamilton has more than 300 members of the faculty, staff and student body who themselves represent the first generation in their families to attend college.

Contained on this site are inspirational reflections from the Hamilton community. In addition to serving as reassuring narratives, these stories identify people willing to serve as resources and mentors for our newest "first-gen" students.

First-Gen Focus

The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted Hamilton’s emphasis on expanding access and equalizing experiences in an article titled “At Hamilton College, Top Administrators Were Themselves First-Generation Students.”

Percent of first-generation students in the first-year class: 14%

Percent of students on financial aid: approximately 50%

Peer Mentoring Project (MP2)

MP2 facilitates relationships among first-year international, first-generation (first in the family to attend college) and historically underrepresented students and experienced student mentors.

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