Hamilton College has received a record number of applications for admission to the Class of 2011. Applications have been received from 4,951 prospective students, a 16 percent increase over last year's final number, and 350 more than the college's previous record of 4,601 set in 2001.
"This milestone clearly demonstrates Hamilton's strong student and alumni satisfaction, growing prestige and reputation, and incredibly positive momentum," said Monica Inzer, dean of admission and financial aid. She said the final figure may fluctuate slightly as the admission staff processes final materials.
"We are delighted with this level of interest in Hamilton," Inzer added. "Members of the Admission Committee will now turn their attention to carefully reading each candidate's file, looking for those special academic qualities and personal characteristics that will enrich our community."
Inzer said the increased interest in Hamilton is coming from an increasingly stronger pool of applicants. Average SAT scores for enrolling students have improved nearly 100 points in six years and the percent of students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class has grown from 60 percent to 74 percent in four years. The percentage of students graduating in the top 20 percent of their high school is now 88 percent, an all-time high.
"More of the nation's top students are applying to Hamilton," she said.
The record number of applications comes after Hamilton enrolled two of the largest first-year classes in its history, which Inzer attributed to more students accepting the college's offer of admission than expected. As a result, she said, the college will be targeting a smaller first-year class in 2007.
"In order to preserve the individualized nature of a Hamilton education we are seeking to enroll approximately 33 to 35 students fewer than a year ago," Inzer said.
"Hamilton's open but rigorous curriculum, the abundance of undergraduate research opportunities, a strong sense of community and the success of our alumni have all contributed to the increased interest in Hamilton," Inzer added.
The college is also in the midst of a major renewal and expansion of its physical plant, which Inzer pointed to as another reason that Hamilton might be attracting more prospective students. A new $56 million Science Center was opened in the fall of 2005, a fitness and dance center was completed a year later, and the college will break ground this spring for a renovation and expansion of its social science facilities. Earlier this month, Hamilton announced plans for construction of a three-building "arts neighborhood," once financing is secured.
