Answered by Professor X
Hampshire is a great school. And yes, it is true that well-endowed elite liberal arts colleges fund their students at much more substantial levels than other institutions. If you can gain admission, you will be well-supported, especially if you come from a lower-income family, but even if your family is middle-income. Here's what Hampshire itself says: "Hampshire College has a strong committment to accessibility through a very generous financial aid program. Financial aid at Hampshire is designed to supplement the family's contribution toward the costs of a Hampshire education. 2006/2007 Cost of Attendance Tuition: $33,855 Tuition, Room, Board: $42,915 Financial Aid Statistics Annual Financial Aid Budget: $18 million Percentage of students receiving Hampshire grants: 52% Average financial aid grant: $20,500 Average financial aid package: $28,500 Range of financial aid packages: $7,700 - $40,000 Average debt of May, 2006 graduating class: $14,100 In addition to need-based financial aid, Hampshire also offers several merit-based scholarships and matching scholarships to applicants each year. Renewable annual merit-based scholarships range between $1,000 to $12,500." It is the average debt of the May 06 graduating class that is the most important (and astonishing) figure. Hampshire's interdisciplinary curriculum is suited to independent thinkers, whose academic interests stretch beyond the boundaries of conventional college departments or majors. If you are this sort of student, and if you are a motivated self-starter, Hampshire might be the perfect place for you. The consortium is indeed a wonderful resource as well. I have close friends and colleagues who attended Hampshire, as well as Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Amherst. None of the folks I know regret a minute of their college experiences. Best wishes to you!