Magazine Stories

In this excerpt from a column originally published in Hamilton magazine, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission John McLaughlin offers prospective students insight into what makes an exceptional college essay.

Read about the five-decade career of bestselling fantasy author Terry Brooks ’66, who brought the world of Shannara to life.

Aditya Bhasin ’94 has spent his career transforming companies through technology. A chemistry and computer science major at Hamilton, he served on the College’s Board of Trustees and is now vice chair of Discovery Place, a children’s science and technology museum in Charlotte.

What makes a strong admission essay? One that’s well written, of course, but also thoughtful and authentic. This is your chance to show us who you are beyond grades, test scores, and lists of activities. Your essay provides insight into your character, perspective, and motivations. The following essays are examples of just a few terrific admission essays written by members of Hamilton’s Class of 2030. We hope they provide you with inspiration.

Justus Doolittle, Class of 1846, was among the first American Protestant missionaries to build cultural and educational connections between the United States and China. His legacy not only represents Hamilton’s broader historical contributions to global scholarship and intercultural exchange, but also continues to inform research and inquiry on campus today.

A biology major with minors in geoscience and environmental studies, Papetti traces her interest in plant science to Assistant Professor of Biology Pete Guiden’s introductory biology course Secret Life of Plants.

Softball standout Emma Tansky ’25 didn’t retire her bat and glove after her career as a Continental came to an end. When not working as a dermatology assistant at Bryn Mawr Skin & Cancer Institute, she’s a ball girl for the Philadelphia Phillies.

A celebration erupted moments after the overtime goal sailed into the net. Hamilton’s first national men’s hockey championship didn’t come from a breakthrough strategy or a singular star, but from something less tangible that has been a long time in the making.

For this edition of Hamilton Extra, we asked students to tell us about spaces on campus that have come to define their experience — each one offering a glimpse into the rhythms, routines, and relationships that shape daily life on College Hill.

Sofia Santana ’26 came to Hamilton from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with a plan. Now a senior, she has accomplished many of her goals, but her path has taken some unexpected — and exciting — turns.