Hobart and William Smith Colleges

The Wall Street Journal named HWS the #4 school in the nation for student experience. Here, we ask students to share why. Ali Muzaffar ’26 says the residential experience facilitates deeper learning, Alberto Garcia De La Puente Stanley ’25 loves HWS’ culture of study abroad and Manuela Taff-Freire ’27 says passionate faculty.

Maddie Faucher ’27 and Izzy Thors ’27 rank their favorite things: “The extensive alumni network, the fact that you can build your own major and the wide selection of courses,” they agree.

Duncan Kipkoech ’28 says Campus Safety, because the Officers create a safe campus environment, and the Center for Teaching and Learning, for its academic support services.

Aaron Tober ’26, Toby Burton ’26, and Zach Chamish ’26 say at HWS, friendships are made in and outside of class. Tober adds, “It’s really immersive. I’m in a service learning course right now, and we go downtown and work with local organizations.”

“HWS is located in a unique place, and students get to take advantage of that,” Leia Brunt ’26 says. Fiona Gallagher ’26 says she loves that she doesn’t have to compromise between being a student and an athlete.

Marie Diarrassouba ’26 says she loves how supportive the HWS community is, which allows student initiatives to flourish. Diarrassouba is the co-founder of the African Student Association.

Jolie Canezin ’25 says there’s “great energy and positivity on campus; people are always saying hi.”

Siblings Nikolina Stanic ’25 and Nikola Stanic ’28 say that at HWS, you’re never bored. “This isn’t a place for people who want to go to their room and lay in bed. There’s always something going on,” Nikolina says.

Maryfei Berrigan ’27 says that she thinks the reason why The Wall Street Journal named HWS the #4 school in the nation for student experience is because of the supportive community that has “uplifted me and helped me grow as a person.”

Brooks Stephenson ’27, Marty Fallon ’27 and James Akgonul ’27 reflect on the feeling of connectivity on campus. “It’s a very personal experience. I’ve gone to faculty after class and they’ve said, ‘Come to my office hours.’ They want to have a conversation with you,” Stephenson says.

Krissia Hercules ’27 and Maya Mahoney ’27 agree that HWS makes it easy to be involved. “It’s easy to try new things,” Hercules says. “And it’s effortless to engage, whether that’s joining clubs, like the Latin American Student Association, or going to sporting events,” Mahoney adds.

Jack Norkus ’25 loves the club experience, especially the DJs and Music club. Peace Kiponda ’25 and Elsa Tariq ’25 both reflect on the close bonds between students, faculty and staff.

Allie Cimis ’26 says student-athletes are supported academically through advising, writing fellows and teaching fellows. “I always feel like I can go to my professors and work with them.”

Hunter Meshanic ’25 says HWS provides university level opportunities with a small school experience where people can find their friends. “And the lake,” Meshanic adds. “There’s nothing like it. It’s an amazing environment.”

Elvis Njomo ’24 appreciates the close-knit size of the HWS community, which has allowed him to build meaningful connections.

Samuel Carson ’28, Morgan Carrigg ’28, Lauren McNeill ’28 and Elizabeth Molisani ’28 reflect on small class sizes, the many student clubs and organizations, and a culture of getting to know and understand other people.