Home - Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Preparing Students to Lead Lives of Consequence

OUR TOP PRIORITY IS PREPARING YOU TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE FUTURE WORLD.

At HWS, we have high expectations for you as a student and community member, and we will give you the personalized support to excel. Your experience will be full of learning, discovery, surprises and accomplishment. You’ll test your interests and pave a way to a life of consequence. You’ll dig deep, have fun and find a place here. You’ll learn to build and lead your brightest future.

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HWS in 60 Seconds

BY THE NUMBERS

SOMETIMES THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS

1,607 undergraduate students; 0% of classes taught by teaching assistants; Students hail from 39 states and 48 countries; Average class size is 16 students; 22,500+ alums worldwide; 179 full-time faculty; Student-faculty ratio is 9:1; Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Management; More than 60% of students study abroad in 50+ locations around the world

1,607 undergraduate students; Average class size is 16 students; 179 full-time faculty; Student-faculty ratio is 9:1; Degrees offered: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Management; 0% of classes taught by teaching assistants; More than 60% of students study abroad in 50+ locations around the world

Princeton Review Ranks HWS in the Top 25 for Best Faculty and Best Career Preparation

Start Your Application

HWS accepts the Coalition Application and the Common Application. We do not charge an application fee and every applicant is automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship of up to $40,500 per year.

Apply by March 1, 2024

Apply Now

Academics

You have burning questions and geeky fascinations? We like that about you.

At HWS, you’ll dive into explorations of topics, hone expertise and make meaningful connections that will propel your learning and prepare you for the future.

Explore

Your academic journey starts with the First-Year Seminar, where you choose a topic of interest regardless of what you want to major in. Over the course of the next 4 years, you’ll explore your academic passions across an interdisciplinary curriculum, accomplishing 8 goals in the process. With the help of your faculty adviser, you’ll define your academic path by choosing a major and a minor or a double major.

Washington Monthly ranks HWS #5 in nation for service

Princeton Review names HWS faculty best in the nation

Global Education

Your Hobart and William Smith experience can take you across the globe. Our nationally ranked Center for Global Education offers 50+ extraordinary programs—many led by faculty—with more than 60% of students participating. We’ll help you make the most of your study abroad adventures by providing training as you prepare to leave, support while you are there and opportunities to share and reflect when you return. On campus, faculty, staff and students speak 50 languages, and that international perspective infuses the classroom and community.

5 years in a row: Princeton Review ranks HWS Study Abroad top ten in the nation

Your Hobart and William Smith experience can take you across the globe. Our nationally ranked Center for Global Education offers 50+ extraordinary programs with nearly 70% of students studying abroad We’ll help you make the most of your international adventures by providing training as you prepare to leave, support while you are abroad and opportunities to share, reflect and build upon your experiences upon return.

5 years in a row: Princeton Review ranks HWS Study Abroad top ten in the nation

A Relationship-Rich Education

With a 9:1 student-to-professor ratio and no classes taught by teaching assistants, you’ll get to work closely with your professors. But your learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. You’ll experience field-based coursework as well as co-curricular experiences through the Finger Lakes Institute, the Center for Teaching and Learning, The Fisher Center for Gender and Justice, The Trias Residency for Writers, and more.

Students who discuss classwork with a professor outside of class

Classes taught by teaching assistants

Students who discuss classwork with a professor outside of class

Classes taught by teaching assistants

The HWS Guaranteed Internship

We know how important it is to gain real world experience. That’s why we guarantee you’ll have an internship or research experience during your time here and receive funding for unpaid opportunities. You read that right. We guarantee it.

Named to Princeton Review’s 50 Colleges that Create Futures

Named to Named to Princeton Review’s 50 Colleges that Create Futures

PICTURE YOURSELF ON THE EDGE OF A LAKE,

AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING.

Come Visit

Athletics

We’re your screaming fan base

Whether you play a varsity sport, compete in the intramural league or on a club team, or enjoy cheering from the sidelines, you’ll find that athletics are a big part of the Hobart and William Smith experience. So pull on your bathing suit, tie up your cleats, grab your skis or racquet, and get out there.

Division 3 Liberty League; D1 Men's Lax; 30 Varsity Sports; 725 Student Athletes; More than 40% of students participate in varsity athletics; 24 national athletic championships

"It’s really nice to apply my knowledge from the classroom in a hands-on setting. When I first came to HWS, the idea of conducting research seemed so hard and daunting. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to do it with a great professor, I can definitely see myself doing it for the rest of my life."

– Bethany Kharrazi

Geoscience Major, English Minor

"My favorite thing about not only the American Studies Program but all the academic programs at the Colleges is their ability to challenge you and make you think about the world around you. I love being able to apply the theories and discussions of American Studies to the complexities of our society. It makes you analyze why things are the way they are and how they develop. With the interdisciplinary structure of the program, it’s helped me expand my critical thinking and even apply it to my other academic programs like Economics and Media & Society."

– Lalaine Vergara

American Studies and Economics Double Major

"I pursued writing and composition studies because of a longtime interest in journalism. What I respect most about the Writing and Rhetoric Department’s philosophy is that the principles they teach about structure and language can be applied across disciplines. I use these lessons in my work with The Herald and in my music and poetry. I also interned at the Finger Lakes Times as a journalist and music writer, and had stories published in the paper"

– Russell Payne

Writing and Rhetoric Major, Philosophy Minor

"The entrepreneurial studies minor helped me realize the importance of an interdisciplinary education. I’ve had the opportunity to meet students from a variety of majors who think differently than I do. This has challenged me to think and work in different ways. The professors support and guide you through the initial idea generation and final pitch process. The skills are applicable to everyday life and are highly sought in the job market."

– Maya Weber

Economics Major, Entrepreneurial Studies and International Relations Double Minor

"The Physics Department has extended numerous opportunities that have aided in my development. From studying abroad in Chile to observe the transiting planets at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American observatory, to working with a student team to develop an experiment to be launched on a NASA rocket, to independent drone research tracking Harmful Algae Blooms across the Finger Lakes Region, I’ve found a greater appreciation and understanding of Physics."

– Josh Andrews

Physics and Philosophy Double Major

Campus Life

The Finest People You’ll Ever Meet

Come live by the lake. Within our 320 acres, you’ll find lifelong friendships, constant opportunities for engagement and lots of fun.

Food

Whether you’re a carnivore, omnivore or plant-based foodie, you’ll find something delicious at HWS. We’re talking world cuisine, fresh-baked bread, restaurant-style salads and, of course, pizza and made-to-order burgers. If you have a food allergy or intolerance, we have you covered with allergy-free stations and meals. We even hold a culinary series that celebrates the best from recognized and up-and-coming celebrity chefs. Eat at our SAGA dining hall, The Café, The Cellar Pub or Au Bon Pain.

Campus Activities

You’ll find lots of different things to do on campus. We have close to 100 registered clubs and organizations, and our Campus Activities Board offers an array of great programming from uber popular Open Mic Nights in the Cellar Pub to hot air balloon rides on the Quad.

Workout Facilities

With an 83,000 square-foot field house, fitness center and weight room with more than 50 cardiovascular machines, indoor cycling room, pool, climbing wall, squash and tennis courts, and more, you’ll have plenty of ways to keep active at HWS. Don’t forget to bring your sneakers.

Geneva & The Finger Lakes

Hobart and William Smith are located along the northern edge of Seneca Lake in the City of Geneva. With an active food scene, more than 100 wineries, parks, shopping, festivals, events and other activities such as the Musselman Triathlon (sprint distance), the Seneca7 (77.7 miles, 7 runners, 7AM), and lakefront concerts, you’ll find that Geneva is an extension of campus. Living in the Finger Lakes, you’ll have plenty of terrain to hike, ski, swim, bike and so much more.