College options? What to do? Process?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am sorry to bother you but I have been interested in Hillsdale College for a very long time and I would love to attend when I graduate from High School. I am hoping that someone can help me out. I am from New Mexico and I currently attend a charter school that consistently outperforms public schools in our area. I have taken the ACT so far and scored a 28. My GPA is 3.6. I participate in a couple of extracurriculars:
English Expo- statewide english competition- done 4 years, last two years I won 3rd place in declamation
Youth and Government- statewide mock government 3-day conference that takes place in state capitol- ran for Governor last year- didn't win but it was a great experience participated for 4 years
New Mexico Boys State- elected to be Speaker of the House
I am also going to volunteer on a political campaign soon. </p>

<p>I know but that my ECs are fairly thin but they show a committment to both the program and to my interest in politics. I would participate in more but my school doesn't offer many more extracurricular activities. The only others are sports (I also participate on my schools flag football team and have for four years) because it is a small school. In addition to the extracurriculars I work at my parents store. I have worked since freshman year and work essentially any time I am not at school or participating in an extracurricular activity. Off the top of my head, I would say I work approx. 25 to 28 hours a week. I work there because it is a small business and we can't really afford to hire other employees. </p>

<p>Also if you could please give me some tips on what my next step should be as far as the application process, when to visit, etc it would just help me so much. Obviously I have never gone through this process before, my parents really haven't either. My mom never looked further than our state university, and my dad is essentially the same story. They both care and want to help, but in reality I am kind of on my own here. So any help would go a long way. Thank you so much.</p>

<p>I'm sorry to bother everyone, but I am just so desperate. I don't know what colleges I should apply to, I don't know what I should do really.</p>

2

<p>In your situation, I would buy a book, study very hard whenever you can, and do great on the ACT a second time. Also, if you know you can afford to pay for the college, apply early decision. BE VERY CAREFUL HERE! EARLY IS BINDING and you could mortgage your future pretty heavily.</p>

<p>Still, they have a very very high early decision acceptance rate (80%!). Additionally, doing well on the ACT could provide for scholarships and more confidence when applying early decision.</p>

<p>I would show interest the best you can. This includes getting on their e-mail list, maybe visiting this summer, visiting again in the fall, and figuring out if Hillsdale is really a good fit for you. If not, look at a state university. Going state is better than selling yourself way short and not going at all.</p>

<p>P.S. What’s your intended major? Something in political science?</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately I really don’t have the money to pay for it. If I got accepted I would need to go through the Hillsdale financial aid system. </p>

<p>And I am not quite sure what my intended major is. It would either be Business Administration, Pre-law, or Political science.</p>

4

<p>If you need financial aid and apply ED, you can decline the aid offer if it’s not enough to enable attendance. But apply ED only to your by-far number one choice, your dream school, because you can’t compare FA offers; you must take it or leave it.</p>

5

<p>Well Hillsdale has been my dream school. What are my chances to get in would you guys say?</p>

6

<p>I’d really appreciate some chances?</p>