For more information about the admissions process, please visit the Admissions homepage or contact the Office of Admissions at (315) 781-3622, 800-852-2256 (toll free) or admissions@hws.edu.
For information about financial aid and fees, please visit our Financial Aid site or contact the office at (315) 781-3315 or finaid@hws.edu.
To browse the 2010-2012 catalogue online as a PDF, click here.
To browse the 2008-2010 catalogue online as a PDF, click here.
The 2006-2008 catalogue is still available online as a PDF. To browse it, click here.
If you have questions or comments about the new online catalogue, please send us your feedback.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges are users of the Common Application and the Universal College Application that are accessible from our website, the Common Application website, or the Universal College Application website. A $45 non-refundable fee must accompany an application before it can be processed. Please note: The application fee is waived for applications submitted electronically. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Admissions no later than February 1 of the senior year in high school, if the student is applying as a first-year student under the Regular Decision admission plan. Students applying for the Trustee Scholars, Blackwell Medical Scholars or Arts Scholars programs must submit their application materials by January 1 and should consult the Colleges' website for further information regarding requirements.
The Colleges offer two deadlines for Early Decision: November 15 and January 1. All candidates are urged to submit their application materials well in advance of the deadline. All applicants who wish to apply for financial aid must submit both the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Candidates are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid Services should they need assistance. For more information, refer to the Financial Aid section that follows or visit our website.
Academic Preparation
Candidates must offer a strong and well-balanced secondary school record.
Candidates must offer a strong and well-balanced secondary school record. Candidates for admission are expected to complete a secondary school program with a minimum of four academic subjects each year, and that program should include four years of English, three or more years of mathematics, three or more years of social science, three or more years of science, and two or more years of a foreign language.
We recognize that school criteria vary and are willing to consider applications from students whose preparation for college differs from the suggested plan of study where there is clear evidence of continuity in the study of fundamental subjects and readiness for college.
Application Procedure
All candidates must submit the following materials to the Office of Admissions:
Campus Visit
A campus visit is highly recommended. Typically, the visit will include a presentation by an Admission staff member and a student-guided tour of campus. An interview is strongly recommended and is required for a student applying for the Trustee Scholars program. Alumni or alumnae interviews may be arranged in many areas of the country by contacting the Office of Admissions. The Admissions staff regularly offers interviews off-campus throughout the year.
During the academic year, the Office of Admissions is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. most Saturdays. During the summer, the office opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. and is open most Saturdays in July and August for campus tours and information sessions.
Appointments may be made by calling the Office of Admissions at 315-781-3622 or toll free at 800-852-2256. Prospective students are advised to arrange for their interviews well in advance of the time they wish to visit. High School seniors who wish to come for a day visit or stay overnight should request to do so two weeks ahead of their visit. Day and overnight visits can be arranged for high school seniors from mid-September through early December, and February through April.
Early Decision Plan
Students who have selected Hobart College or William Smith College as their first choice are encouraged to apply under the Early Decision plan. The Early Decision plan is a binding agreement. If a student is admitted under this plan they agree to enroll and withdraw all other applications. The Colleges offer two deadlines to those students who wish to exercise this option: November 15, with notification December 15; or January 1, with notification February 1. In addition, students who have applied under the Regular Decision option, and whose files are complete, may change their status to Early Decision until February 15 and will be notified within four weeks. The Early Decision Agreement form, available with the Common Application and Universal College Application, must be signed by the student, as well as by the college counselor or guidance counselor and a parent or guardian. The Early Decision form, and all related application materials, may be accessed on the Colleges' website. Senior grades (either first-quarter or first-trimester) must be sent as well.
Students admitted under the Early Decision plan are expected to forward the matriculation fee within two weeks of notification of admission and withdraw all applications to other colleges. Candidates who are not granted admission under the Early Decision plan may be deferred for consideration in March.
Students who seek financial assistance under the Early Decision plan should submit the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid Profile Registration Form to CSS no later than December 1.
Early Admission
The Colleges offer an Early Admission Plan to particularly strong students who intend to complete their secondary-school preparation and graduate in three years.
In addition to following the procedures for admission outlined above, a personal interview is required for Early Admission candidates. Evidence of maturity and readiness to undertake the academic and social demands of a residential undergraduate institution are weighed by the Committee on Admissions. The recommendation of their principal or guidance counselor is carefully considered.
Deferred Admission
Students who have been accepted for admission and have paid the required matriculation fee may elect to delay the start of their academic career up to two years. These students must give notice to the Director of Admissions in writing and submit a brief description of what they hope to do in the interim.
HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program)
New York residents who meet the state-mandated guidelines may apply to Hobart and William Smith under the Higher Education Opportunity Program for economically and educationally disadvantaged students. For further information, contact the Director of Opportunity Programs at Hobart and William Smith.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate
Enrolled students who have achieved scores of four or five on an Advanced Placement test receive course credit toward graduation. Scores of five, six, seven or higher on International Baccalaureate exams generally receive credit. The amount of credit is determined after an official copy of the results has been received by the Registrar's Office.
International Students
The Colleges welcome applications from international students. Applications are due February 1. Students whose native language is not English must present scores from one of the following: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the SAT Reasoning test, or the ACT. Students should designate Hobart and William Smith Colleges as a recipient of these scores when they register to take these examinations. International students for whom English is their native language are not required to submit standardized test scores.
Transfer Students
The Colleges annually receive applications from qualified students who wish to transfer from either two-year or four-year institutions. Applications are reviewed and decisions made on a rolling basis upon receipt of all credentials. Transfer students may be admitted at the beginning of either the fall or spring semester. Students should offer at least one full year of undergraduate work. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Director of Admissions. The application deadline for fall admission is June 1 and is November 15 for spring admission.
In addition to a transfer application and a non-refundable application fee of $45, candidates must forward to the Office of Admissions the following credentials: 1) an official transcript; 2) a final high school transcript; 3) a recommendation from the academic dean; and 4) a recommendation from a professor at their current institution.
Transfer candidates are encouraged to visit campus. An admissions interview provides the opportunity for the Colleges to assess the candidate's status as a transfer student. A visit to the Colleges allows the student an opportunity to consult with faculty members in his or her proposed field of study.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges accept a maximum of two years' work in transfer from other undergraduate institutions. Most transfer applicants possess at least a solid B grade average. Transfer credits are used to determine placement in the curriculum. Only courses in which a student has received a grade of at least C or its equivalent are considered for transfer credit. Transfer students must spend a minimum of two years in residence at the Colleges. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the appropriate dean.
Lifelong Learners
This program provides an opportunity for adult learners to attend college, either full- or part-time, with services geared to their special needs. It is designed for students who have interrupted or delayed their college careers, for those in need of refresher courses prior to entering a new field, and for those pursuing further education. Students are incorporated into the regular academic program of the Colleges and take their courses for academic credit. An on-campus admissions interview is required for consideration. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions.
Graduate Attendee Program
Graduates of Hobart College or William Smith College who are five or more years beyond graduation are eligible to take one or two courses per semester tuition free. Most courses are open to graduate attendees, by permission of the instructor, except for the following: first-year seminars, bidisciplinary courses, the teacher certification program, applied music courses, self-instructional language programs, and off-campus programs. Courses are available on a space-available basis only, after regular undergraduates have preregistered for the next semester, inclusive of seats in introductory courses held for entering first-year students.
Interested alumnae and alumni should direct inquiries to the Provost's Office no later than six weeks prior to the intended first semester of registration.
Graduate attendees are fully registered students, subject to all policies governing students' academic conduct generally, including the Colleges' grading and withdrawal policies. Graduate attendees are responsible for all course work, including written work and examinations, attendance, and required out-of-class field trips, projects, etc. Courses must be taken for credit, and an official transcript of all work attempted is maintained by the registrar. Work so certified is generally treated by other institutions as fully transferable credit, subject to their own policies and procedures.
Visiting Students
The Colleges welcome students from other institutions who wish to spend part of their academic careers at Hobart and William Smith. Visiting students are admitted as space allows. Inquiries should be directed to the dean of Hobart College or the dean of William Smith College.
Special Students
Students who are not candidates for a degree are admitted to courses only with approval of the respective college's dean and permission from the instructor, who determines their qualifications to undertake the work. Financial aid is not available to special students, and they may not register until all matriculated students have selected their courses.
Special students who wish to work toward a degree must go through formal admissions procedures and matriculate when their dean indicates that it is necessary.
The following table contains standard fees established in May 2010 for the 2010-2011 academic year. (The Student Accounts Bulletin provides policy and fee information for the current year.) Other fees and deposits may be established from time to time by action of the Board of Trustees. Books, personal expenses, travel, recreation, laundry, and incidentals vary with the individual. The average cost of such expenses, however, may be averaged at $2,000. Charges of the Colleges are subject to adjustment, as authorized by the Board of Trustees. In such cases, due notice is given.
Annual Standard Fees
Tuition $40,592
Room and board 10,458*
$51,050
* A meal contract is mandatory for all students. Refer to the board plan bulletin for meal-plan options. The rate for the 15-meals/week plan is included in the above rates.
Student Activity Fee $476
The student activity fee is assessed by the students upon themselves for the support of undergraduate activities. As a convenience to the Hobart Student Government and the William Smith Congress, this fee is billed and collected by the Colleges.
General Fees for Entering Students
Application Fee $45
Payable at the time application for admission is filed, and not refundable.
Matriculation Fee $500
Payable on the candidates reply date of May 1 and not refundable. Early decision candidates must pay this fee within two weeks of notification of admission. (Refer to the Early Decision Plan section.) Candidates accepted after that date must pay the fee within one week of acceptance. In both cases, it is credited to the institutional deposit.
General Payment Schedule
The charges for the fall semester are billed on June 15 and are due by August 1. The charges for the spring semester are billed on December 2 and are due by January 6. The student accounts office also sends out periodic billing statements during each semester reflecting additional incidental charges and other account activity.
Payments of fees, room and board charges, and deposits should be remitted in the envelope provided or, if paying in person, they should be made at the student accounts office. Checks, bank drafts, or money orders should be drawn to the order of Hobart and William Smith Colleges for the exact amount due.
The Colleges reserve the right at any time to amend or add to the policies governing payment of fees, rents, charges, and deposits and to make such changes applicable to students presently in the Colleges, as well as to new students.
Tuition and other charges that are not paid when due may be subject to a late-payment charge. The late charge is currently computed at a rate of 1.5 percent per month on any outstanding balance from the due date, until paid in full. This amounts to an annual rate of 18 percent. A minimum monthly penalty of $50 is assessed. The late penalty charge rate is reviewed annually.
A student who fails to pay the fees and other charges, in accordance with the Colleges' payment terms, may be dropped from the Colleges' rolls and excluded from classes, laboratories, examinations, and occupancy of residence halls until payment is made. The student will be held accountable for all absences through the operation of this rule and, for continued delinquency, will be dropped permanently from the Colleges. Enforcement of this regulation does not relieve the student of the obligation to pay fees and other charges due. Until the outstanding accounts are settled, no transcripts or records will be issued by the Colleges. Should a student's unpaid balance remain outstanding 90 days after the due date, the Colleges reserve the right to transfer the account to a professional collection agency and pass any additional costs of collection to the student's account.
Tuition Stabilization Plan
The Colleges offer a plan for students who wish to prepay their entire college expense for tuition. Students pay at four times the current tuition rate.
Refund Policies
Notification of withdrawal or cancellation and requests for refunds must be made in writing and addressed to the appropriate dean with copies to the student accounts office. Verbal requests are not accepted. A 100-percent refund is given to students who withdraw after tuition, fees, room and board have been paid, but prior to registration and the first day of classes.
After the beginning of classes, refund of tuition, room, board, and off-campus program charges, and return of all federal and institutional financial aid and education loans and other sources of payments are prorated based on the percentage of the semester the student is enrolled. There is no refund of costs of attendance, and no financial aid or loans are returned to the grantors after the student is enrolled past 60 percent of the semester. The official withdrawal date used to determine the enrollment period is the date the student's written request for authorization of official withdrawal is received by the appropriate dean, or the last date the student attends classes, whichever is later. This policy applies only to charges processed by the Colleges on the student's account. Student activity fee, technology fees, health services fee and vehicle registrations are also excluded from refunds. Examples of the application of this policy may be obtained from either the financial aid (315) 781-3315, or student accounts offices (315) 781-3343.
Tuition Insurance
An insurance plan is offered by A.W.G. Dewar, Inc., to protect tuition and fees if a withdrawal is necessary due to personal illness or accident. A mailing describing this plan is sent each year. Coverage and application information is also available on this website.
Fees
Health Services Fee $476
The health services fee is required of all students. This fee provides for a broad range of general medical services including the on-campus Health Center. It also provides for basic accident and sickness insurance for students who have no other coverage and supplemental insurance for all others.
Technology Fee $376
The technology fee is required of all students. This fee enables technology-related student services like help desk support, wireless networking, access to instructional technology tools and software, and training classes.
Transcript Fee $5
Fee for each copy of an official academic transcript.
Returned Check Fee $20
A fee charged for each check returned to the Colleges that was uncollectible when presented for payment. Note: Returned checks result in the loss of check cashing privileges.
Lock replacement fee $50
Replacement Identification Card $15
Car Registration Fees $150/year or $100/semester
Special Students
Students not matriculating for a degree are classified as special students. The following fees and charges are applicable:
Application Fee $50
Payable at the time application for admission is filed and not refundable.
Tuition $5,074
Charge for each semester course, payable before registration or on the date specified in the semester bill.
Fraternity Housing
All college-managed fraternity housing must maintain 95 percent occupancy or the fraternity residents must meet a corresponding financial obligation. Occupancy levels will be determined each semester following the second week of that semester. If such a financial obligation arises additional room charges necessary to meet the 95 percent occupancy target will be charged to the appropriate students' accounts for that semester.
Monthly Payment Plans
A monthly payment plan is available through TuitionPay from Sallie Mae. A mailing describing this plan is sent to students each year. Additional information including enrollment materials are available online.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges are committed to working with our students and families to ensure they are able to reach their educational goals. Students and their families assume primary responsibility for their educational costs; however, more than 80 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid.
The Office of Financial Aid Services reviews the qualifications of each accepted applicant's demonstrated financial need as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile to determine each student's financial aid package. The Colleges realize the limitation of standardized forms, and encourage parents and students to provide additional information unique to individual situations directly to the Office of Financial Aid Services.
Procedures
First year aid applicants must complete the CSS Profile and FAFSA online by the established deadlines listed on our website. The Profile is available online beginning each October and the school code for Hobart and William Smith Colleges is 2294. The FAFSA is available online at after January 1. Our school code for the FAFSA is 002731.
Accepted students are provided a financial aid package in writing within two weeks of their admission notification provided all required documentation has been received by our office. The enrollment deposit is required by May 1 and we will assume acceptance of all awards unless notified in writing to the Office of Financial Aid Services or by e-mail.
Returning student financial aid awards are generally renewed each year at the same level provided the student demonstrates continued eligibility both financially and academically. Awards may be adjusted if additional outside assistance is received or if the family's financial situation changes. Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress. For first time aid applicants, the deadline for submitting the CSS Profile and FAFSA is February 15. The application deadline for returning students is April 15. Late applicants will be subject to a reduction in grant assistance. Renewal awards are distributed via e-mail beginning in May if all application deadlines are met. Effective for the 2011-2012 academic year required financial aid documents and application procedures will be changing. Further details will be posted on our website on or before November 15, 2010.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges subscribe to the student self-help concept of financial aid. The student is expected to work during summers, contribute to expenses from savings and if necessary to borrow through low cost federal loan programs as part of a financial aid award. Students may also have an opportunity to work during the academic year through on campus employment.
Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress for the Purpose of Determining Eligibility for Financial Aid
Standards for Federal Financial Aid Recipients
To maintain eligibility for federal financial aid awards including grants and loans, students must meet minimum requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress. These requirements are both qualitative (GPA) and quantitative (maximum time frame for program completion). Eligibility is reviewed prior to the start of each academic year using cumulative GPA and the percentage of courses completed in each academic year. Eligibility is also determined based on full-time enrollment. The following criteria must be met in order to renew eligibility for federal awards:
Qualitative Standard: Federal regulations specify that by the end of the second academic year (measured as a period of time, not by the student's grade level), the student must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA through the remainder of the undergraduate program.
Quantitative Standard: A student who is maintaining a high GPA by withdrawing from a significant number of courses that he/she attempts may meet the qualitative standard, but would not be progressing toward graduation. Therefore, the satisfactory academic progress policy includes a quantitative measure to determine the percentage of courses completed each academic year. The following demonstrates these requirements:
| Semester Enrolled | Courses Completed | Minimum Cumulative GPA |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Must successfully complete 10 courses by end of 4th semester |
Must receive a GPA of 2.0 by end of 4th semester |
|
2 |
||
|
3 |
||
|
4 |
||
|
5 |
13 |
2.0 |
|
6 |
16 |
2.0 |
|
7 |
18 |
2.0 |
|
8 |
21 |
2.0 |
|
9 |
24 |
2.0 |
|
10 |
27 |
2.0 |
|
11 |
29 |
2.0 |
12 |
32 |
2.0 |
Loss of Eligibility: Students who do not meet either of the standards listed above forfeit eligibility for federal financial aid awards for each subsequent academic year until academic progress standards are met. Students will be notified about the loss of federal awards by the Office of Financial Aid, in writing, prior to the start of the academic year.
Standards for New York State Financial Aid Recipients
To maintain eligibility for NYS financial aid awards, students must meet minimum requirements for academic progress. To maintain good academic standing a student receiving a general or academic performance award must: 1) pursue the program of study in which he or she is enrolled, and 2) make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of his or her program's requirements. The two elements of program pursuit and satisfactory academic progress must be met for each term of study in which a State award is received. Eligibility is reviewed prior to the start of each semester. The following charts demonstrate these requirements as of the 2009-2010 academic year and are subject to change. Updates will be posted on our website.
TAP Payment Number |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9* |
10* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Number of Earned Courses** |
0 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
20 |
24 |
28 |
Minimum Cumulative GPA |
0 |
1.1 |
1.4 |
1.7 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
* Note: Only students enrolled in the HEOP program are eligible for ten TAP payments. The maximum number of payments for all other students is eight.
** Incompletes cannot be included unless they are resolved to a passing or failing grade by the end of the following term. Failing grades are included in the number of courses completed per semester. Only passing grades are included in the number of courses successfully completed and earned towards your degree requirements.
Waivers
The satisfactory academic progress requirements for both federal and state aid may be waived for undue hardship based on: 1) the death of a relative or student; 2) the personal injury or illness of the student; 3) other extenuating circumstances. The waiver is intended only to accommodate extraordinary or unusual cases directly related to academic performance and the student's failure to meet the minimum requirements. Documentation must show the relationship of circumstances to the student's failure to achieve the requirements. The waiver will be granted only when there is a reasonable expectation that the student will meet future satisfactory academic progress requirements.
Note:
Process for Obtaining a Waiver: The written notification sent to students who do not meet the minimum requirements for satisfactory academic progress outlines the process for obtaining a waiver. The student may write the appropriate dean to petition for a waiver if he or she believes he or she is eligible. The student's dean reviews the petition and official records to determine whether he/she meets the criteria for a waiver. The dean's office informs the student whether or not a waiver was granted, and notifies the Office of Financial Aid Services about the decision. For federal awards, approved waivers reinstate eligibility for the entire academic year. For NYS awards, approved waivers reinstate eligibility for a semester.
Appeals: A student can submit a letter of appeal to the appropriate dean after being denied a waiver. The letter must be received within five working days of notification of denial. The dean reviews the case and notifies the student and Office of Financial Aid Services of the decision.
Other Elements
Reinstatement of Eligibility: If a student does not meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress for either federal or NYS awards, he/she is not allowed to receive further federal or state aid, unless a waiver is granted, until the student is again meeting minimum standards. For federal awards, if minimum standards are met during the academic year, some aid may be reinstated for the remainder of the year and some may be reinstated for the entire year. Contact the Office of Financial Aid Services for details.
Grades of Incomplete: Grades of incomplete are only acceptable if changed to a standard passing or failing grade before completion of the next semester of study.
Grades of W (withdrawal): Grades of W do not constitute grades which indicate that the student passed, failed, or completed all work in a course and cannot be counted toward meeting either qualitative or quantitative standards of both the NYS and the federal policies.
Repeated Courses: Grades for repeated courses replace the previous grade and constitute a recalculated GPA. A repeated course in which a passing grade was previously earned cannot be used to meet the pursuit of program requirement (completing a certain percentage of the minimum full-time course load in each term an award is received) to maintain good academic standing for NYS awards. For example, a student who receives a passing grade in a course but wishes to repeat the course in the hopes of improving the grade and overall GPA cannot count the repeated course as part of the minimum course load.
