Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943
800-755-0733
Fax: 434-223-6346
COSTS:
Tuition:
$25,878
Room and Board:
$9,600
Fees, books, misc.:
$3,200
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
College Description
Hampden-Sydney, a four-year liberal arts college for men, has been in continuous operation since November 1775, eight months before Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. The tenth-oldest college in the country, Hampden-Sydney was formed with the guidance of such men as James Madison and Patrick Henry, who were members of the first Board of Trustees. The College was modeled after the Presbyterian College of New Jersey (now Princeton), and the same curriculum was chosen, except that at Hampden-Sydney there was to be a “greater emphasis upon the cultivation of the English language.” Throughout its history, Hampden-Sydney College's mission has been “to form good men and good citizens.”
Today, the College has a total enrollment of 1,100 students, representing forty-two states and ten other countries. As a wholly undergraduate institution, Hampden-Sydney is committed to the belief that liberal education provides the best foundation not only for a professional career but also for the challenges of life. Nearly half of the graduating seniors enter graduate or professional school within five years. Basic to the College's program and success are the faculty members, 88 percent of whom hold earned doctoral or terminal degrees in their fields. The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, and the average class size is 15 to 20. It is in this setting that the true value of the Hampden-Sydney education shines through. Students work closely with professors, learning to think critically and analytically, to assimilate and interpret information, and to express themselves cogently and coherently. Beyond the classroom, faculty-student relationships flourish as well. Faculty members and students jointly contribute to the community in a wide variety of service activities and share social and enrichment opportunities.
Hampden-Sydney faculty members are nationally recognized as inspired teachers and productive scholars in such diverse fields as NASA-sponsored gamma ray research, environmental economics, and cetacean (whale and dolphin) evolution.
Hampden-Sydney is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Association of Virginia Colleges, the Association of American Colleges, the Southern University Conference, the College Entrance Examination Board, the American Chemical Society, and the College Scholarship Service.
Location and Community
Hampden-Sydney is an hour from Richmond, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg. Its stately Federal-style buildings have earned designation as a National Historic Preservation Zone. Southern Virginia's rolling countryside and temperate climate are delightful year-round and especially in the spring and fall. The College's rural setting and tree-studded campus provide miles of jogging and bicycling trails and excellent fishing. Hampden-Sydney has a picture-perfect 660-acre campus, with a wonderful feel of community.
Academic Life
The curriculum is divided into three principal areas of study: humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences (including mathematics). The study of the humanities allows students to gain an understanding of the intellectual and literary influences that have shaped culture. Exposure to the humanities also increases students' appreciation of the importance of ideas and expands their ability to communicate. Studying the social sciences gives insight into human behavior and institutions and is central to the liberal arts education. The world's increasing reliance on scientific and technological advances—and the practical and ethical problems that accompany them—makes a general understanding of natural science indispensable.
To ensure that individual programs are broadly based, students are required to study in each division. Students take at least two semesters of English composition and rhetoric and study a foreign language through the second-year level. The College requires that students complete 120 semester hours for graduation.
In addition to the curriculum offerings, students may profit from one of Hampden-Sydney's special academic options, such as the honors program, study-abroad program, or business internship programs. Students may take courses at six other private colleges in Virginia, pursue a public service concentration, study foreign policy in Washington, or engage in international studies at Oxford University. Faculty advisers help develop programs suited to individual interests.
Hampden-Sydney has 106 faculty members (92 full-time and 14 part-time). While the College places primary emphasis on teaching skills, faculty research is encouraged as an aid to improving the quality of teaching. Eighty-eight percent of faculty members have doctoral or terminal degrees, and 90 percent are involved in academic advising. With more than 40 percent maintaining campus housing, faculty members are involved with students in a full range of academic, social, and recreational activities.
Majors Offered:
Students may choose one of twenty-six established majors, plus custom programs, which lead to the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science: applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, classical studies, computer science, economics, economics and commerce, English, fine arts, French, German, Greek, Greek and Latin, history, humanities, interscience, Latin, mathematical economics, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religion, religion and philosophy, and Spanish.
Campus Life
Students enjoy a complete and diverse campus life, with an active student government and honor court. Interest clubs, literary organizations, and performing societies, as well as intellectual and social gatherings, enhance the extracurricular offerings. Hampden-Sydney's Union-Philanthropic Society is the second-oldest active debate club in the country. Approximately 30 percent of the students belong to the twelve social fraternities.
Hampden-Sydney has a long tradition of student involvement in College affairs. Students serve as members of the faculty's Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Lectures and Programs, and Athletic Committees. In addition, students are often named to various task forces, ad hoc committees, and search committees seeking key College officials. The Student Court, elected by classes, is the judicial arm of Student Government. The court tries cases arising from breaches of the Code of Student Conduct and Honor Code, assisted by a corps of student investigators and advisers. The College Activities Committee keeps an active calendar of events, planning dances, concerts, movies, and other activities for students.
Facilities and Resources
Hampden-Sydney is committed to providing state-of-the-art facilities. The J. B. Fuqua Computing Center contains a variety of computer systems for student use. Students can access the campus network and the Internet with their own computers from their dormitory rooms or by using one of the computing laboratories located in Bagby Hall, Eggleston Library, Gilmer Hall, Morton Hall, and the Computing Center.
Eggleston Library is one of the College's most valuable academic resources; its collection was specifically selected to support Hampden-Sydney's liberal arts curriculum. Eggleston Library contains 227,315 volumes, 31,000 periodical titles, microform, and government documents arranged in open stacks or computerized for ease of use. Also located in Eggleston, the Fuqua International Communications Center houses the newest electronic equipment to support learning. It maintains a collection of more than 10,640 videodiscs, videotapes, compact discs, sound recordings, and computer software programs. Study carrels and viewing-listening rooms hold a variety of hardware for individual and group use. Two antennae for reception of satellite television broadcasts from around the Western Hemisphere add an international dimension to the center.
Sports / Varsity Athletics
Eight varsity teams enjoy spirited NCAA Division III competition as members of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, while club and intramural teams draw strong participation.
Expenses
Tuition for the academic year is $25,878. Other required College fees were a telecommunications fee of $600 and a student activities fee of $310. Room ($3116) and board ($4254) came to $7370. Books and miscellaneous expenses were estimated at $2200.
Financial Aid / Scholarships
Hampden-Sydney College offers financial aid to students who can make the most of the education that the College offers. Both academic achievement and promise, as well as financial need, are considered in the initial award of College funds. Similarly, financial aid for returning students is based upon both academic performance and demonstrated need. Approximately 88 percent of students receive financial aid based upon academic scholarship and need. The average need-based award of $19,500 consists of approximately 85 percent grant/scholarship funds. Financial aid in 2004–05 totaled nearly $19.5 million, including all federal aid awarded.
Entering students who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete two forms—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for federal programs, and the CSS PROFILE, which is used for consideration for College funds. These forms may be obtained from high school guidance offices or Hampden-Sydney and must be submitted between November 1 (for early decision) and March 1 of the senior year.
Admission Requirements / Application
Prospective students are expected to have mastered a solid, demanding college-preparatory program, including at least 4 units of English, 2 units of one foreign language, 3 units of mathematics, 2 units of natural science (one of which must be a laboratory course), and 1 unit of social science. In addition, a third unit of foreign language and a fourth unit of mathematics are recommended. Hampden-Sydney also considers SAT or ACT scores and looks closely at recommendations from guidance counselors, teachers, and other people who know the applicant well. The records of successful applicants often include examples of impressive school and community extracurricular contributions in addition to their academic preparation.
There are three admission plans. If Hampden-Sydney is the student's first-choice college, he should apply under the early decision plan by November 15. The deadline for the early action plan is January 15. The deadline for the regular decision program is March 1. Application forms are available on request from the Admissions Office. Hampden-Sydney also accepts the Common Application in lieu of its own form and gives equal consideration to both.
Students may apply electronically using the Hampden-Sydney Web site, the Common Application, or the CollegeLink and Apply! computerized application forms. Though not a requirement, the College encourages campus visits as the one true way to witness the spirit and community of Hampden-Sydney.
The College also welcomes armed service veterans and students who wish to transfer from another college or university. Students must be in good standing, with a C average or above.
Hampden-Sydney College, while exempted from Subpart C of the Title IX regulation with respect to its admissions and recruitment activities, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, handicap, or veteran status in its educational programs and with respect to employment.
Completed applications for admission should be submitted to the Dean of Admissions before the noted deadlines for each admission plan. Notification for early decision candidates is mailed on December 15. Notification for early action candidates is mailed on January 15. Regular decision notification begins on March 1 and continues through April 15. The candidate's reply date is May 1.
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