First-Year Students

Unsatiated intellectual curiosity?  A compulsion to collaborate and create? An infectious enthusiasm for ideas? If these are the symptoms, Hampshire’s the cure. Apply now.

Apply online via
THE COMMON APPLICATION 

The category first-year students includes students who have completed some college work prior to enrollment at Hampshire (fewer than 15 transferable semester credits).

Application Deadlines

First Year Student Admission Plan	Deadline	Notification
Regular Decision (spring 2019)	November 1, 2018	December 1, 2018
Early Decision I (fall 2019)	November 15, 2018	December 15, 2018
Early Decision II (fall 2019)	January 1, 2019	February 1, 2019
Early Action (fall 2019)	December 1, 2018	February 15, 2019
Regular Decision (fall 2019)	January 15, 2019	April 1, 2019

Required Application Materials

We do a holistic read of your application, meaning we look at everything. To apply, submit the following materials through the Common Application:

• Completed Common Application, including the personal essay
• One of Hampshire's three writing supplements*
• Current transcripts
• School report, including a guidance counselor recommendation
• Two teacher letters of recommendation

*Writing Supplement

The following questions get at some of our core values: inquiry, interdisciplinarity, and growth. Choose one prompt from the list below and respond; our suggested length is a page.

• Hampshire’s motto is “to know is not enough.” People interpret this motto in different ways. What does it mean to you?
• Think about two or more topics that interest you. Tell us about some issues or questions related to these topics.
• Describe a time when you received feedback, academic or otherwise, that changed your thinking or behavior for the better.

Optional Application Materials

Some optional application materials can be submitted through the Common Application. You will also have the opportunity, after applying, to submit additional optional materials such as photos, videos, PDFs, Word documents, and music files through your online application portal with Hampshire College.

• Video/media supplement. This could be music, dance, film, animation, monologue, etc. (provide link)
• Project sample: Submit an example of your independent or collaborative project work. This project can be creative, scientific, or otherwise showcase the type of work you've done in high school. Provide a link if necessary.
• Additional letters of recommendation, up to three.
• An interview with a Hampshire student or counselor.

After Submitting Your Application

Once we process your application, we will send an acknowledgment letter that includes a username and password for you to check the completeness of your admissions file online. Hampshire College has entered the 21st century and now releases decisions online. To make sure that you receive your decision, we recommend not opting out of email communications.

FAQ

Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page, contact us at admissions@hampshire.edu, or listen to any episode of our Navigating the Application podcast on Soundcloud. Each episode deals with a different section of the application. Here are quick links to each, short episode:

• An Overview of the Different Areas of the Application
• The Supplement Essay Section
• Optional Creative Supplements
• Homeschool Applicants
• Visits and Interviews
• Financial Aid
• Final Thoughts on the Application

 

Common App Support

Prospective Applicants can get Common App online support through the Applicant Solution Center. From the Help Center, click the "Ask a Question" tab to contact our support team and access a comprehensive FAQ resource covering different aspects of the application process.

Counselors/Recommenders with Common App questions or suggestions can contact them through the Recommender Help Center. You can also receive real-time support through the new chat program available now from 12-4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.