About Hampshire College
- Hampshire College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts.
- It was founded in 1965 and has a reputation for its innovative academic programs and commitment to social justice.
- The college is a member of the Five Colleges Consortium, which allows students to cross-register and take courses at neighboring schools.
- Hampshire College has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,400 students.
- The student-to-faculty ratio is just 9:1, allowing for personalized attention and a close-knit community.
Grading and GPA System
- Hampshire College has a unique grading system that emphasizes narrative evaluations rather than traditional letter grades.
- Faculty members write detailed evaluations of each student's performance in their classes, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.
- These narrative evaluations provide a more holistic view of a student's academic journey and can be particularly valuable for students applying to graduate school.
- Despite the absence of traditional grades, Hampshire College still calculates a GPA for each student based on their narrative evaluations.
- The GPA is on a 4.0 scale and is calculated by averaging the student's evaluations from all completed courses.
Conclusion
- Overall, Hampshire College offers a unique and innovative approach to education, with a focus on experiential learning, interdisciplinary study, and social justice.
- Students receive personalized attention from faculty members and are encouraged to take ownership of their academic journey.
- The narrative evaluation system provides a more comprehensive view of a student's academic progress and can be particularly valuable for students pursuing graduate school or other advanced degrees.
- Hampshire College is an excellent choice for students who are looking for a liberal arts education that emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and social responsibility.