In the series “Student Voices,” current students write about the reasons they chose Hampshire and how our educational model works from their perspective.
Best Colleges for Creativity and Innovation
Hampshire College is often on lists of the Most Creative Colleges in the country. Recently we were listed as one of “The 8 Most Creative Colleges in the Country” by Her Campus.
Here are just some of the reasons why Hampshire deserves its place on such lists.
The Divisional System
Instead of traditionally dividing a student’s education into freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years, Hampshire College has a unique academic program consisting of three Divisions. Each Division is a different level of study, allowing students the freedom to choose their own classes and design their own education.
During Division I, students shape their curriculum around distribution requirements, which encourage students to experiment with multiple areas of study.
In Division II, students decide on a concentration—Hampshire’s equivalent of a major, but more independently designed by the student. During this Division, which spans both the second and third years, students explore the topics they are most passionate about through classes, independent work, and community-engaged learning such as internships and fieldwork.
Division III, a student’s fourth year at Hampshire, consists of a yearlong student-designed independent project. This project can be a research paper, a work of fiction, a performance, a gallery display, or anything else the student wants it to be. Division III projects often combine multiple areas of study in unique ways—such as art and social justice, or poetry and philosophy.
Independent Work
A student’s education at Hampshire is largely based on independent work. Instead of studying and memorizing for exams, students spend their time on significant independent research and projects. Class time is spent on engaging discussions.
Narrative Evaluations Instead of Grades
Hampshire students don’t receive letter grades. Instead, professors carefully evaluate students’ work. Papers and other projects are returned to students with useful comments, telling the student what they did well and suggesting how they could improve in future work. At the end of the semester, students also receive an evaluation on their performance in the class overall. Without grades, there is less academic competition between students and more focus on student community and collaboration.
Unlike more traditional colleges, Hampshire takes a creative and experimental approach to learning. Students are challenged to take charge of their own education, and to come up with ways to make innovative connections between their areas of interest. Hampshire’s unique ideology makes it stand out from other schools, and it certainly deserves to be named one of the most creative colleges in the country.
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