Hobart and William Smith Colleges Admission
Hobart and William Smith Colleges Undergraduate Program
Hobart and William Smith Colleges Application

The Facts

Hobart and William Smith Colleges are actually two separate colleges, one for men and one for women, located on one general campus. The school is located in the town of Geneva, New York, and is home to about 2,000 undergraduate students; approximately 46% men, and 54% women. HWS students are able to get both the advantages of single-sex colleges as well as a coed campus experience, which makes for an interesting and dynamic social atmosphere. The school focuses heavily on the liberal arts, with an emphasis on international studies and public service and policy. All students must have either a major and a minor, or two majors, which makes for an intense academic experience. Some of the most popular majors include English, psychology, economics, political science, and history.

Admission to the two colleges is somewhat competitive, and those who apply are often very qualified for the challenging curriculum at the college. Last year, over 3,300 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 2,045 of those students were admitted; of those, about 500 matriculated. The admitted students had an average combined SAT score ranging from 1080 to 1250, and an average comprehensive ACT score ranging from 24 to 31. Additionally, over 65% of those admitted were ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class with an average high school GPA of about 3.31.

The Social Scene

The town of Geneva, New York is rather small, and doesn't provide students with many social options or excitement. The campus, however, is situated on Seneca Lake, which is one of the most beautiful natural settings in the state. Many students are fond of outdoor activities, and often spend much of their free time hiking, boating, and even camping. Most students don't mind living on campus because it is so beautiful, and relatively inexpensive compared to other off-campus options in the surrounding area.

There are only fraternities on campus, and they tend to govern the college's social life, both for men and women. Parties at the frats offer the often-separated sexes the chance to mingle, and while they can get pretty rowdy, the administration usually turns a blind eye. The fraternities don't just throw crazy bashes; they also do a large amount of important community service as well as host successful fundraisers throughout the year.

The student activities office does a terrific job of bringing events to campus so students don't have to search for things to do off-campus. Most students do own cars, but they are usually reserved for off-campus errands.

The dating scene is an interesting one, and because the colleges are separated, you really have to make an effort to cross the picket lines, so to speak.

What’s Good

“Even though we're in separate colleges, there is a great sense of community here, and plenty of opportunities to mingle.”

“The dorms are awesome and pretty spacious. I don't know why anyone would move off campus.”

“The nature is incredible, and is provides a nice respite from the challenging academics.”

What’s Bad

“Being separated from the guys seems a bit cruel. I mean, it makes dating, which is hard enough, even harder!”

“There are no sororities, which I feel is a bit discriminatory. Why can't girls have a chance to join a Greek organization?”

“The school gets really cliquey, and sometimes, people seem afraid to introduce themselves.”

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