In the series “Student Voices,” current students write about the reasons they chose Hampshire and how our educational model works from their perspective.
When I try to explain Division III to people outside of Hampshire, I usually tell them, “It’s like a senior thesis … but not really.” While it does have some aspects of a senior project, it has its own attributes that make it much more than that.
Division III is an intense independent project, which students complete during their final year at Hampshire. Students choose a committee of at least two professors to guide them through the process. It can be a thesis, portfolio, film, exhibit, recital, performance, or any other form that your committee can evaluate.
All the work you complete at Hampshire, from your very first year, leads up to Division III. During Division I (first year) you are able to explore multiple areas of study. In Division II (second and third years), you narrow your focus to the subjects you are most passionate about, and begin to plan for your potential Division III.
The Hampshire experience is largely based on independent work—written responses, essays, research papers, creative pieces—and getting thorough feedback from classmates and professors. By the time you have reached Division III, you have already completed a large body of work, which has prepared you for your individually designed project.
My Division III project is a combination of creative writing, illustration, and historical research. During Division II, I took creative writing workshops and art classes in preparation for Division III, since I knew I wanted to do something involving art and writing.
When I started Division III this past September, I wanted to do an illustrated novel, but I was unsure what I wanted it to be about. Fortunately, one of the best parts about Division III is that it is not set in stone from the beginning. I am lucky to have two very supportive committee members who have encouraged me to take risks, even if it means completely changing the story I’m creating.
What started as a vague fantasy idea has now become a much more focused plot about a girl trying to survive the potato famine in Ireland in 1846. If I had been tied down to the project I started out with, I would not be satisfied with it. What I love about Division III is that there is room to make mistakes and learn from them, and the final product does not have to be exactly what you started with.
The Division III project is an ideal opportunity for students who enjoy independent work and creating projects they are passionate about. It’s a unique and rewarding experience, and one of the main reasons I encourage creative students to consider Hampshire College.
