Penn’s Graduate School of Education recently partnered with Hamilton College to create an early assurance graduate pathway program.
Hamilton’s new program guarantees students early admission into graduate schools at Penn, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Chicago. Admittees will join program-specific cohorts at Hamilton before continuing their education through one of the joint graduate programs.
In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Hamilton College’s Dean of Admissions — who graduated from the College in 2005 and formerly directed admissions at Penn — John McLaughlin explained that his “familiarity and respect” of the University influenced his decision to partner with GSE.
“The thought of deepening the relationship between Hamilton and Penn is really exciting, and I am really proud to be a part of that,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin explained he was inspired to begin the program after observing that a large number of Hamilton undergraduate students go on to graduate school.
“At Hamilton, we are able to provide these graduate programs with access to some amazing undergraduates,” he said.
In a statement to the DP, Penn GSE Vice Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs Leslie Levin wrote that “partnerships like this create pathways that make the transition for students both smoother and more accessible.”
She added, “This is certainly a trend we see playing out across the country and even internationally as schools find creative ways to reach new students while delivering world-class education.”
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McLaughlin emphasized that the program is meant to support the importance of liberal arts education.
“I think the students who would be most successful for this program would be those who embrace the idea of exploration, embrace the liberal arts, and have a sense of how interdisciplinary perspectives can shape the way in which they approach the study and practice of education,” he said.
Levin explained that the students admitted to Penn GSE through the program have undergone a “rigorous and comprehensive review process to ensure they are set up for academic and professional success.”
“We are confident that the students admitted through this early assurance program will meet the same high standards as any other traditional applicant,” she added.
Penn GSE also envisions pre-enrollment support and activities accomplished through a combination of topical information sessions, guest lectures, webinars, campus visit opportunities, and direct engagement with faculty.
Additionally, the school plans to offer students admitted to the program “workshops, lectures, or virtual programming related to graduate-level scholarship, research skills, and career preparation.”
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Staff reporter Ryan Rucker covers the University’s graduate schools and can be reached at rucker@thedp.com. At Penn, he studies political science.
