EVER WANTED TO DO SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT? SO DID WE. SO WE DID.
We created an education unbound by any traditional, tried ways of learning.
We did it on purpose, too. We started by questioning the status quo—abandoning majors, departments, letter grades—and liberating students and faculty to do what they were always made for. Not what someone made them do.
WELCOME TO HAMPSHIRE. HERE’S WHAT YOU WON’T FIND.
We’ve provided a list of some of the more uncommon Hampshire ways and frequently answered questions. Because if we did things any different, we’d be any other college. And we’re anything but.
No freshmen or seniors.
Advance through a Divisional structure.
Rather than academic ranks, you’ll advance through three divisions, proving your expertise at each step to reach the next level.
No letter grades.
Receive narrative evaluations.
When have letter grades ever made a real difference in the world? Instead, you’ll grow through narrative feedback and evaluation provided by peers and faculty members.
No majors or minors.
Design your own curriculum.
If you’re asking, “What’s the right program for me?” the answer is anything. And everything. And in between. You will design your own curriculum with faculty advisors and form a committee to track your progress.
No departments.
Cross freely between areas of study.
Expertise here is transdisciplinary and boundless. At Hampshire, there are no walls between schools of thought.
No limit to your resources.
Join the Five-College Consortium.
We were founded by leaders from Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. We all share resources. They’re vast. They’re right here. And they’re yours.
HOW RADICALLY POSITIVE CHANGE HAPPENS
It starts day one, Div I. Here’s a breakdown of the Hampshire way to see how it works.
Enter Hampshire College with a burning question (or get inspired along the way), and get started on your portfolio of work as a Div I student.
Each Division requires a portfolio review to advance to the next level. Portfolio reviews include narrative feedback from each course, final papers, and projects. Community-Engaged Learning, other meaningful work, and a retrospective are included in your review.
Your work is capped off by a year-long Div III dealing with a complex set of questions, concepts, and skills. This is an advanced independent study project of your choosing, advised and assessed by a faculty committee that you recruit.