<p>My daughter was accepted RD to Hillsdale, and recieved the half-tuition scholarship offer, along with a generous humanities scholarship for art. She finally decided this week, after feeling a little overwhelmed with the whole decision making process. We are so happy for her, and she's pretty excited. I've been reading all the Hillsdale threads, and it's confirmed that she made the right decision. It was the first school she visited (jr. year) and the last school she visited (just last week!) We were all held up this spring by her National Merit Finalist status... there are some pretty awesome full rides out there for that. But, in the end, Hillsdale is truly unique. Mathematics and art or classical studies. She was invited to apply to the honors program, but her application will be late at this point. She's also an all conference athlete, so will have a good shot at playing her sport there.</p>
<p>Now, I need some encouragement, that my 4.0 daughter won't fall apart under the extremely tough grading system at Hillsdale!</p>
<p>Congrats to your daughter and you! I hope she’ll be very happy at Hillsdale. It’s very high on my daughter’s list (she’s a year behind yours) and we’ll most likely be facing the NMSF situation, too. So we’ll have to see how that plays out. Best of luck to your daughter!</p>
<p>Congrats to you both. Our situation sounds very similar as well. We anticipate NMF for D in the fall. Last week we visited the full ride college that is near the top of her list. She said she could make it work there but is more excited about Hillsdale. We hope to visit Hillsdale early fall to confirm if that is her first choice. She knows we need big scholarship money to make it happen, she is also hoping for an art scholarship - she is finishing up her AP Studio Art portfolio this week. It is so difficult to give up the idea of free college!</p>
<p>Moms, the National Merit stuff really threw us for a loop. We just didn’t know / understand the money that might be offered at some of the bigger schools and state universities until very late in the game. So, I had a few sleepless nights wondering if we had encouraged her in the right direction. But I’m feeling very confident about her decision now. Hillsdale is an absolute pearl. Completely unique. It’s good that you both have started early!</p>
<p>Congratulations! Your D will LOVE Hillsdale, and as a parent, I suspect you will as well.</p>
<p>Word of caution: my 09 grad son came home from a weekend visit with the NEW Hillsdale T-shirt which reads:</p>
<p>HILLSDALE COLLEGE: Where your best hasn’t been good enough since 1844. </p>
<p>then there’s a huge C+ in red ink under it.</p>
<p>fencersmother,</p>
<p>What a riot! I haven’t seen that tee shirt yet.</p>
<p>Hillmom,</p>
<p>Congratulations to your daughter! And welcome to the Hillsdale family.</p>
<p>Momoftwins: I actually wore that shirt to the local sporting goods shop this past w/e and while I was there, four people came up to me and commented on it. Turns out, I met another Hillsdale parent of a 2005 grad, and I gave an “Imprimis” to another one.</p>
<p>Small world, big T-shirt!</p>
<p>Hillmom, I know it’s early, but just wondering how your D’s doing so far. How was your/her orientation and move-in exprience? How’s the dorm? How have her first couple weeks been? Any surprises? Any words of wisdom yet for us with senior NMSFs, high stats, and Hillsdale very high on D’s list? We’re hoping for significant merit (and smaller music) scholarships. Would love to hear any words of wisdom you would care to share.</p>
<p>I believe I left this comment elsewhere, so forgive me if you run into it. I just figure the analysis is flexible:</p>
<p>Many students check into Hillsdale and, because they’ve never been made to fathom the concept of a college ruled by SERIOUS students (not just brainless jocks) and the ideals of our nation’s Founders…well, Hillsdale is a very sad, lonely place for them. Make sure your child has done his/her research. This is no diploma mill. There are big things in store at Hillsdale, and it has no time to waste on the typical American youngster.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, I hope this is not an issue for you. To the shock of my colleagues and (most of) my family, I turned my back on the Ivy League to go to this institution. The college demands but two things: a love of all values good and American that Harvard, Yale, etc sell out for the almighty federal dollar…and a total willingness to learn these values and live them.</p>
<p>Appreciate the heads-up, Atticus. My D is very interested in Hillsdale precisely because she HAS done extensive research and knows exactly what she’s looking for.</p>
<p>Her stats are actually at the tippy top of Hillsdale’s freshman class stats last year so, if she attends, like you, she will be rejecting some likely acceptances at Ivies and near-Ivies for the many advantages and much better personal fit she anticipates at Hillsdale.</p>
<p>“Many students check into Hillsdale and, because they’ve never been made to fathom the concept of a college ruled by SERIOUS students (not just brainless jocks) and the ideals of our nation’s Founders…well, Hillsdale is a very sad, lonely place for them.”</p>
<p>Oh brother. Supercilious much?</p>
<p>Schmohawk: it’s true, what our Brother Atticus said. Not for all students, certainly, but for many.</p>
<p>Was I being supercilious? I seek college reviews everywhere I can find them…not just the feel-good positives like in an ad, either. THAT would be supercilious. No, I love to hear the nasties too; like when an ex-student complains with a huff that the students at Hillsdale are “not normal”, well, it’s all the more encouraging to some like me because “normal” students nowadays often turn what start out as promising institutions into…well, expensive daycare centers. The Ivy League is certainly no exception, and why would Hillsdale be completely out of the woods either? So the more “normal” students that Hillsdale manages to drive off (though not altogether intentionally), the more hope for its future, frankly.</p>
<p>All apologies due if I’ve come off as callous. But you’ve GOT to acknowledge the line between admiring some pretty gutsy potential…and being “supercilious”.</p>
<p>momofsongbird: I’m very happy to hear that! Smarts, though not necessarily an indication of a willingness to learn with gusto, are always a welcome thing at Hillsdale. She will enjoy her time to the utmost.</p>