Each year, dozens of students begin their Hamilton experience as “Jans.” One of the country’s oldest spring entry programs, Hamilton enables students to participate in a global experience with fellow Hamilton Jans during the fall semester, all while remaining on track to graduate with their Hamilton class.
January Admission
Build Your Community and Beyond
Jans have opportunities to connect with Hamilton and one another from the time they are admitted and throughout the fall before arriving on College Hill.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Jans begin their college experience abroad through one of Hamilton’s partner programs. Each of the five locations in Europe and South America offers opportunities to:
- Earn pre-approved college credits while studying alongside other Jans and first-year students from other colleges and universities
- Explore academic interests through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experiences
- Receive support from program faculty and staff throughout the semester
- Engage with new cultures and local communities
- Build independence and confidence navigating a new environment
Hamilton’s Partnership with Arcadia University
Arcadia Abroad draws on more than 75 years of experience in international education, with programs designed to connect classroom learning with the people, culture, and communities of each location.
London, England
Explore art, theater, history, politics, and more while using London itself as a classroom, with learning extending to the city’s galleries, theaters, historic sites, and more.
Perugia, Italy
Study Italian and choose from courses ranging from food and sustainability to psychology and the humanities while experiencing a historic university city in central Italy.
Hamilton’s Partnership with Verto
Verto specializes in helping students begin their college experience abroad, combining credit-bearing coursework with experiential learning and cultural immersion.
Hamilton Jans who select a Verto Partner Program will receive a $3,000 scholarship.
Seville, Spain
Study Spanish and choose from a strong selection of STEM courses, including lab sciences, while experiencing the history and culture of southern Spain.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Explore one of Latin America’s most dynamic cities while taking courses focused on business, sport, culture, history, and contemporary social issues.
Florence, Italy
Study math and lab sciences alongside the arts and humanities while experiencing Florence’s extraordinary artistic, cultural, and scientific history.
Upcoming Events
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10/22/2026 8:00PM
Learn more about Hamilton's January Admission program in this online session with a current Jan student and a Jan alumna.
Frequently Asked Questions
January Admission allows Hamilton to enroll more of the students we want as part of our community. When we build the incoming class, we look for students who we believe will embrace the opportunity to spend their first semester studying off campus who will then bring those rich experiences back when returning to the Hamilton community in January.
January Admission also enables the College to make the best use of available space on campus. Because more Hamilton students study off campus during the spring semester than in the fall, additional residential space becomes available in January.
The majority of Jans graduate with their class. This is accomplished by taking classes through our global partner programs the fall semester before enrolling at Hamilton, obtaining AP credit from high school, taking summer courses before enrolling or in subsequent summers, taking additional full or partial credit courses some semesters, or some combination of all of these options.
Jans earn transfer credit in the fall by taking courses offered by one of our global partner programs. Specific questions about transfer credit can be referred to Anne Riffle (ariffle@hamilton.edu) in our Registrar’s Office.
Jans who apply for financial aid will be notified of their eligibility at the time of admission. Those who are eligible for financial aid will receive prorated awards covering the spring semester for which you will be enrolled at Hamilton. Program fees and tuition for our global partner programs in the fall are the responsibility of the student, and are not covered by your Hamilton financial aid award, should you receive one. Some of our partner programs offer financial assistance, and you should feel free to be in touch with them directly to explore your options. In particular, if you choose a global partner program offered by Verto, you will receive a $3,000 scholarship to be applied to that program directly.
For questions regarding Hamilton College financial aid, please contact our Financial Aid office at finaid@hamilton.edu.
Hamilton Jans have done both. Coaches and directors of musical groups are responsible for determining how students admitted for January are accommodated in their respective programs. Feel free to contact them for additional information.
Once Jans accept our offer of admission, they are matched with an upperclassman mentor through our Jan-to-Jan Program. We offer a special orientation program for students admitted in January, and they are encouraged to join their classmates on orientation trips in the fall. Hamilton staff will visit each of the partner program locations in the fall to check in with students and offer support and guidance for their transition to campus in January.
Hamilton’s Jans play integral roles in our college community. Many Jans receive prestigious fellowships or secure competitive internships on Capitol Hill. One recent Jan organized a successful campaign and was elected student assembly president. Our Jans take full advantage of the opportunities and experiences offered on the Hill.
Housing is guaranteed for all students, including Jans. The Office of Community Living attempts to place January students in close proximity to each other and tries to be responsive to housing requests (such as preferred roommates) from the Jans.
January admits complete an online course selection process in the fall, which asks them to choose 12 priority courses they want to take in the spring. The registrar’s office uses the list of priority courses to assign each student a schedule of four classes. Based on course selection, advisor assignments are made. Students find out their class schedules and their advisor assignment in early January. If necessary, students have an opportunity to make schedule changes.
Niki Barron ’02, associate dean of admission, will serve as your liaison as you make your decision about January admission. Please contact her with any additional questions by phone at 1-800-843-2655 or email at nbarron@hamilton.edu. If you would like to connect with a Hamilton Jan or have specific questions regarding a particular aspect of the January Admission program, please refer to the contacts listed below.
January Admission Contacts
Contact Niki with any questions about Hamilton’s January admission program.
Paige spent her fall semester traveling, working, and volunteering.
Lev participated in one of our partner programs as his fall experience before coming to Hamilton.
Contact Anne with general questions about transferring credits.
Contact Adam with general academic advising questions.
Contact Tessa Chefalo with any questions about the orientation program, First-Year Experience Program, and Jan mentoring program.
Contact Kelley Paduano with questions about housing and living at Hamilton.
Contact Program Advisor Bre Scott about studying in London.
Contact Program Advisor Abby Hill about studying in Perugia.
Contact this email address for information about the Verto programs in Buenos Aires, Florence, and Seville.
Contact
Office of Admission
Office Location
Siuda House