Jans Join the Hamily
Jans are chosen for their “academic potential and strong personal qualities, as well as demonstrated independence and intellectual curiosity,” which signal to the admission team that they will use their time prior to arriving on campus productively. Many Jans, like Emma Wrisley ’28, attend the Arcadia University program in London, but others chose less traditional routes, including School for Field Studies abroad programs or working full-time. No matter the path, Jans typically come to Hamilton with a stronger identity, exciting stories to tell, and high hopes for their time at Hamilton.
Here’s a look into the journeys of three new Jan students.
Isla Brumby-Nelson ’28 became interested in Hamilton when she saw the campus kindness and connection shine through an online tour. But her love for communication — a skill emphasized in the curriculum — was a deciding factor in her admission decision. It went on to define her fall Jan semester.
Brumby-Nelson spent the fall working for her local area’s Democratic Party and as a guide at the Aspen Art Museum. Through these experiences, she talked to more people in her home county than she ever had before. “I very much feel like I know what the place I’m from looks like to a degree I didn’t before,” she said.
For her, an important aspect to living in a place is understanding its local politics. As she went door-knocking, she had the opportunity to inform constituents about important local issues and politicians. “Those interpersonal interactions are really so critical for the political process and really can determine a candidate’s votes,” she said.
As Brumby-Nelson starts her life on the Hill, she already has a foundational knowledge of Clinton thanks to her August orientation trip: Local Politics. The orientation trip, a defining feature of many first-year students’ entrance to campus, also introduced her to non-Jan friends she was excited to reconnect with upon returning to campus.
An intended world politics major, David Cui ’28 knew he wanted to spend his Jan semester gaining new cultural understanding and perspective. He decided to attend the School for Field Studies program in Bhutan, a small country in the middle of the Himalayas.
As a major part of this program, Cui performed a research project on the environmental impact of Buddhist prayer flags, which are typically made of a synthetic nylon material. He and his research partners proposed more environmentally friendly alternatives, which they detailed in a final paper that was sent to the National Environmental Office.
“We found that people are generally receptive to making changes but lack a strong understanding of the environmental impact,” Cui said. “Hopefully our paper can make a difference.”
Beyond academics, Cui enjoyed learning about Buddhist culture, making friends with local Bhutanese residents, and preparing for his collegiate spring track and field season by training with the Bhutan national team.
He is eager to compete with the Hamilton team now that he is on campus and also hopes to bring his new perspectives to his world politics courses.
When Ella Wrisley ’28 was 15, her older sister Maria Wrisley ’26 enrolled at Hamilton. As Ella visited campus over the next few years, she had the opportunity to experience the friendly culture and hear about the opportunities and resources available to students. When her own college search rolled around, she knew that Hamilton would be a great fit for her.
Wrisley was admitted as a Jan and was excited to take this opportunity to attend Arcadia University in London. There, she experienced a new culture and “living authentically in the city” as she commuted to classes and activities.
Now, Wrisley is ready for home on the Hill, particularly the convenience and community that is an intrinsic part of Hamilton’s campus. As she settles into her first semester, she is excited to explore her interests by joining new clubs, like Women in Business.
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