<p>Apparently, Hillsdale has never gotten much attention here. I recently zeroed in on it as a good safety school for me, despite its location. My Latin teacher took a look at the website, and he says the Classics department looks pretty good. However, I'm a little hesitant about a school I've never heard of. If anyone knows anything at all about Hillsdale, I'd appreciate the knowledge.</p>
<p>Hillsdale has an excellent reputation as a college with a strong core curriculum and classical education. It is well known for its independence as it has refused to accept federal funds. </p>
<p>In terms of history, it claims to be the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, religion or sex, and became an early force for the abolition of slavery. It was also only the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women.</p>
<p>We visited with our son this past spring. He has been reluctant to visit any colleges, but found Hillsdale to be academically stimulating. Our family was assigned a guide for the day who was bright, articulate, informed, and enthusiastic. Our son attended U.S. History and U.S. Constitution classes and raved about how interesting the profs and lectures were. Right now, it's one of only 3 schools on his list and I think it's at the top of the list.</p>
<p>It seems to have a strong independent identity and very stimulating as far as critical thinking goes. Wish I could get my D to consider it, alas, she says it is just too small. :(</p>
<p>My S goes to Hillsdale and absolutely loves it, after being accepted at larger, more "famous" LACs, he visited Hillsdale on a whim and never considered any other college after that. It truly does seem to be a place of independent thinkers. They have excellent aid!</p>
<p>The school is very small but has a tremendous endowment. The town is extremely safe. The college recognizes that Hillsdale is a little off the beaten path and really plays up the residential aspects of the school. There is something to do every night. Check out their CCA program. It is fantastic (and free to parents to attend too!).</p>
<p>I am not sure why Hillsdale is overlooked here. It does have a very strong conservative bent - but all postitions are gracefully tolerated there, unlike the situations at some other name colleges.</p>
<p>Cool stuff about Hillsdale: Frederick Douglass was in residence here in the Civil War. The entire male student body of Hillsdale College enlisted to fight for the Union. They had the largest percentage of their student body enlist of any school in the US. Also, oldest college newspaper in the country! They had the only integrated ROTC unit in WWI and the US government told them to segregate or it would pull the funding for it. Hillsdale declined and it began a long, protracted series of disagreements with governmental forces. Hillsdale has won every fight - it makes for strong leaders.</p>
<p>I heartily recommend Hillsdale. Great school! I was an economics major, and the economics department was top notch. I loved the liberal arts nature, expanded my view on the world greatly.<br>
Not a big party atmosphere, which I liked, but it is a college, and so be rest assured there are parties. In other words if that is not your thing you will be alright, but if you like to party, then you can.<br>
It is small, but it is a nice community. I had some great profs who really tried to help you succeed. I had a great French lit prof, she really worked with me on finding books that I would like, and that would give a sense of what we were trying to learn. My music history prof taught me a great deal about the history of music. My Constitutional History classes were tremendous.
Only issue is it is cold in the winter. I am from Oregon, and it was quite a shock.</p>
<p>Ziggy, I never even considered the weather since we are northern types ourselves (and I am from the upper midwest). It can get fairly cold - even really cold - from mid Dec through Feb. My S's roommate last year was from Naples, FLA. He wore a lot of clothes, all the time, but thought winter was a cool thing.</p>
<p>I think Hillsdale's womens volleyball team was #2 in the nation this year. Quite an accomplishment for such a small college.</p>
<p>Founded in 1844, Hillsdale College is an independent, liberal arts college with a student body of about 1,300. Hillsdale has long been recognized for its commitment to providing a traditional liberal arts education that is both academically excellent and affordable. </p>
<p>The Princeton Review ranks Hillsdale among the Best 366 Colleges in the country, including Hillsdale in the Top 20 lists for Professors Get High Marks and Professors Make Themselves Accessible. Hillsdale has also been named one of Americas Best Value Colleges by The Princeton Review.</p>
<p>Academics at Hillsdale
Students may choose from 33 different majors, culminating in either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Hillsdales liberal arts curriculum requires completion of core courses in the humanities, the natural sciences and the social sciences.</p>
<p>During their four years at Hillsdale, students are also required to attend two week-long seminars run by the Center for Constructive Alternatives (CCA). Guest speakers facilitate the seminars, addressing topics as diverse as politics, religion, or culture to connect classroom learning with real-world applications and issues.</p>
<p>Student Life</p>
<p>Hillsdale students are encouraged to embrace a well-rounded college education through involvement in the over 70 clubs, organizations and honoraries; six nationally chartered Greek houses; 11 NCAA Division II athletic teams; intramural sports; choir; orchestra; theater and other events hosted by the Student Activities Board (SAB) year-round.</p>
<p>Off-Campus Study</p>
<p>Hillsdale College offers a wide variety of off-campus study options designed to enhance a students learning experience. Opportunities include: the Hillsdale/Oxford Scholars Program, Universität Saarbrücken in Germany, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and the Quayle Journalism Intern Program, among others.</p>
<p>Financial Aid</p>
<p>Hillsdale College allocates over $14,000,000 to financial aid, resulting in an average aid package of nearly $12,000 per student. In addition to its recognition as a Best Value College by The Princeton Review, College Choice Report also puts Hillsdale on its list of 101 Best College and University Values.</p>
<p>Around Hillsdale, Michigan</p>
<p>Distinctively rural in character, the Hillsdale area provides abundant recreational opportunities for the outdoors lover with its numerous lakes, rivers and nature areas, including the Colleges own Slayton Arboretum. Hillsdale is only 75 minutes from larger Michigan cities, such as East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Kalamazoo, which offer the cultural attractions of university cities, along with eclectic shops and restaurants and concert and sporting venues. </p>
<p>Hillsdale offers rigorous academics, intramural sports, national fraternity and sorority houses and widespread community volunteerism to nurture intellectual, physical, social and personal growth.</p>
<p>Ziggy and others: I just talked to my S last night and he met four freshmen this year who were accepted to Ivies and to Notre Dame who chose Hillsdale instead for the rigorous academics and personal interaction. I find that thoroughly refreshing!</p>
<p>For the ND prospecitve, the real draw was twofold: academics and free tuition! Nice aid packages all around.</p>
<p>DS is highly interested in applying to Hillsdale. I came across this article today.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hillsdales Comeback
The college is stronger than ever.</p>
<p>... This years incoming freshman class, in fact, is Hillsdales best ever. The numbers tell the story. The freshmen who arrived on campus last month had an average SAT score of 1940 and an average ACT score of 28. The year before [President] Arnn took over [seven years ago], these figures were 1820 [(estimated)] and 26.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Full article:
<a href="http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDE0YjVmM2EzYjA4NzYwZWQzYzBmMTk0NjM3MjRmZDQ=%5B/url%5D">http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDE0YjVmM2EzYjA4NzYwZWQzYzBmMTk0NjM3MjRmZDQ=</a></p>
<p>StAndrews: I saw that article. Yes, Hillsdale is really on a roll... excellent college for the discerning individual (and I stress INDIVIDUAL).</p>
<p>I took my son to Hillsdale for a visit over spring break. He’s a sophomore in high school and knows he wants to study economics or finance. He is a conservative kid and very bright…207 PSAT as a sophomore, strong GPA. I was so impressed with the facilities and the student body. Of course, after years of reading Imprimis, I knew how amazing the school was, and how independent. My son felt very comfortable there and really enjoyed the experience. Our tour guide was a very smart and of course, adorable, freshman. His words on the way home…“impressive”. I REALLY hope that Hillsdale will turn out to be his choice and will be comparable financially to the quality state schools here in Indiana.</p>
<p>There was a letter that went out in January that due to the current financial climate, Hillsdale may not have the excellent aid they have offered in the past. So far, we have seen no change. </p>
<p>Debrockman, I think your feelings about Hillsdale are fairly typical. Once kids see it, they are very pleasantly surprised!</p>
<p>The other news about tuition is that there will be no increase next year. This, too, is due to the economic conditions and the successful fundraising efforts.</p>
<p>Has anyone visited both University of Dallas and Hilsdale? Any thoughts on how to choose between the two?</p>
<p>laurieann,</p>
<p>I never visited U of Dallas, but it has a nice reputation. Have you visited both? I have gone through this process with 3 kids (fencersmother has done it for 4) and we’ve visited so many colleges. Hillsdale is truly unique - and it delivers on its brand. My son just finished his freshman year and loved it.</p>
<p>University of Dallas is a great Catholic school located in an awkward, though convenient, position near the DFW airport. </p>
<p>I actually posed this question to two of Hillsdale’s professors last fall during Parents Weekend since I was considering both schools for my d. Both profs had been instructors at UD and one had received his PhD from UD (and was not Catholic, though the other was). </p>
<p>The Catholic professor said that his homeschooled Catholic children could attend UD if they liked, but he thought the academics at Hillsdale were superior to UD’s. The non-Catholic prof seconded these thoughts. </p>
<p>Hillsdale has that beautiful bucolic location, Jeffersonian architecture, four seasons, and a really engaged student body. UD is a great, very Catholic school in a much more urban setting.</p>
<p>I am a graduate of Hillsdale. While I feel I received a great education I would tell any prospective student that it is a hard place to be different. I did not fit the profile of the standard hillsdale student even then and suffered as a result.</p>
<p>Interesting Ruthlcarey, did you not fit in due to political or religious views, lifestyle or socioeconomic status?</p>
<p>I never heard of Hillsdale until recently when It began to be advertised and promoted on some of the most crazy talk radio programs on the air. The kind of hate radio that shout down what they disagree with and accuse others as being agents of evil. I thought Hillsdale must be their new cult factory.</p>
<p>ncmentor:</p>
<p>Psychological Projection. Look it up.</p>
<p>Oh heck, here’s a link:</p>
<p>[Psychological</a> projection - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection]Psychological”>Psychological projection - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Get some help.</p>