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This year 1,124 students matriculated at the beginning of the fall semester.  This was a record for the College, and the 334 members of the freshman class is the second-largest in the history of Hampden-Sydney.

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What are the qualifications for admission to Hampden-Sydney?

Prospective students should have mastered a solid college-preparatory program, including at least four units of English, two units of one foreign language, three units of mathematics (including Algebra I, II, and Geometry), two units of natural science (one of which must be a laboratory course), and one unit of social science.  In addition, a third unit of foreign language and a fourth unit of mathematics are recommended.  The records of successful applicants often include impressive school and community extracurricular activities.

During the 2006-2007 year we received over 1,480 applications; although the percentage changes from year to year we typically accept 65% of our applicants.

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The middle 50% of last year's students had the following profile

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Hampden-Sydney requires that students take either the SAT I or ACT with the writing sections.

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The College grants credit to students who score a 4 or 5 on many of the currently available AP Exams.  Students receive no credit for only taking an AP course regardless of their performance.  The tests listed below are eligible for credit at Hampden-Sydney.

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A student who achieves a score of six or seven on an International Baccalaureate Examination will receive three to six hours of academic credit and/or exemption from the corresponding core requirements. A student who chooses to take a course at H-SC for which he has received credit will not receive additional credit.

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Where can I find more information about Hampden-Sydney?

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A men's college?  You have to be crazy!  Why would I ever want to go to college with only guys?

For 233 years Hampden-Sydney College has been creating good men and good citizens in an environment of sound learning.  Although most high school guys tend to have a very negative initial reaction to the idea of attending a men's college (most of the guys in the Admissions Office did), once students take a closer look they tend to understand the many benefits of a single-sex learning environment.  Not only do most Hampden-Sydney students find the single-sex classroom environment more open and free for discussion, but they also come to appreciate the close friendships that develop because of the weekday social structure.  Many studies have come out over the last few years showing, and several magazines have documented, the advantages of a single-sex academic environment.  It truly is an amazing way to spend four of the best years of your life.  "Hampden-Sydney: Where men are men and women are guests."

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So I understand that I'll only have guys in my classes, but will I see any women on the weekends?

Hampden-Sydney is located in the middle of an area with over 15 Colleges and Universities -  including four women's colleges.  Over the years students have come to realize that an education at Hampden-Sydney comes with the best of both worlds—where the advantages of the single-sex classroom environment are well balanced by the very co-ed nature of the weekend social life.  A popular tee-shirt at Hampden-Sydney over the years has stated the case quite simply, "Hampden-Sydney: We don't need our own women.  We're doing just fine with yours!"

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Where do most of Hampden-Sydney's students call home?.

Hampden-Sydney's students come from 36 states and 10 foreign countries; but most of the College's 1124 students come from the Southeast.  Currently 63% of the student body is from Virginia, followed by North Carolina, Maryland, and Georgia.

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Do most of the students come from public or private schools?

Whether you attend a public high school or a private high school you should feel comfortable at Hampden-Sydney.  Currently 60% of our freshmen attended public school and 40% private school.

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I hear there is a lot to do at Hampden-Sydney.  Is that true?

Hampden-Sydney students have the option of joining more than forty clubs organized and run by H-SC students.  These range from debate to competitive sports teams and cover all the ground in between.  In addition to these, the College is home to nine social and one professional fraternity that offer many opportunities for social expansion on the weekends.  In addition, one of the best features of Hampden-Sydney is the College's ability to adjust to the needs of the students.  If you are interested in something that you don't see listed as one of our established clubs and organizations, you will be encouraged to start a new organization to meet that need.

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I like to hunt and fish.  Is there any way to do that at Hampden-Sydney College?

Hampden-Sydney is located in the middle of Southside Virginia - home to some of the best turkey and deer hunting on the east coast.  Hampden-Sydney's 1240-acre campus has three small lakes stocked with bass and other assorted game fish.  For those who seek a larger challenge, the area around campus has amazing hunting and fishing options.  Briery Creek is located 5 minutes to the south and is home not only to some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the nation, but also offers students the opportunity to hunt deer, duck, dove, and turkey.  Sandy River Reservoir, about 15 minutes from campus, offers additional opportunities for fishing.  Many H-SC students are members of local hunt clubs and will take other students with them. Also, some local farmers give students hunting rights in exchange for helping out occasionally on their property.

That sounds like a lot of hunting and fishing.  Does that mean I can keep my rifle in my room?

Although the College gives its students a lot of trust and responsibility, we don't go quite that far; however students are allowed to keep bows, rifles, and shotguns on campus in our gun locker.  Handguns are prohibited on campus.  The gun locker is located in the basement of Carpenter Y, and is open only to students who have a weapon stored in it.  All firearms on campus are required to be stored in the gun locker, and not in student's rooms or vehicles, but the convenient location allows access even for the earliest morning hunts.

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I'm a well-rounded guy.  Will I be able to explore all my interests at Hampden-Sydney?

As mentioned earlier, the College has clubs and activities that fit most of the needs of the student body, but the opportunities for involvement don't stop there.  In addition to those groups, the College is governed by a student-led Honor System and by the Student Senate.  Members of each class have the opportunity to run for office and have a positive impact on the future of the College.  The College Activities Committee is also comprised of elected members of each class and chooses campus-wide activities in addition to the College's famous Homecoming and Greek Week concerts.

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What about fraternities?  Does Hampden-Sydney have a good fraternity system?

The College has 10 national social fraternities and one professional fraternity on campus.  All but one of the chapters has a college-owned house located on the appropriately-named Fraternity Circle.  Around 30% of the student body is a member in one of these houses, but all members of the College community are welcome on the Circle most weekends.  The Interfraternity Council governs the Greek System and also is host to the annual Greek Week - an event that draws thousands of students from other colleges around the region.

Private schools are expensive.  How will my family be able to afford Hampden-Sydney?

Hampden-Sydney College has a generous program of both need-based scholarships and merit-based scholarships.  In the 2006-2007 academic year, 98% of our students received over $10.7 million in Hampden-Sydney scholarship money.  The average financial aid package per student totaled $22,500 (including scholarships, loans, and work-study; our total charges are $36,627).  We are fortunate in that our strong endowment allows us to be generous to our students, whom we consider to be our best investment in the future.  The College's Financial Aid website goes into much more detail and offers helpful hints on better understanding the financial aid process.

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Everyone keeps talking about the PROFILE and the FAFSA.  What are these forms?

The PROFILE is a form maintained by the College Board that helps Hampden-Sydney assess a family's institutional need, and the FAFSA is a federal form that allows access to federal grants and loans.  We require both of these forms and strongly suggest that every applicant fill them out regardless of the family's perceived need

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For years we have said, "You can do anything with a degree from Hampden-Sydney." This is proving itself to be more true every year. We have alumni in many different fields and in many different countries. For an idea of the possibilities a liberal arts degree can offer take a look at the H-SC Career Development Website as well as its Majors and Careers Guide.

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Does Hampden-Sydney have a working alumni network? Can I call on them for help?

The College has a fiercely loyal alumni base who are always willing to help both prospective and current students. In addition to our traditional alumni network, we have established a program for students to contact alumni in their field of interest electronically. The Alumni Career Network uses TigerTRAK and alumni volunteers to help students find job opportunities after graduation as well as internships during college.

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