Hillsdale Application: Tips and Tricks?

Hi all, I'm starting to work on my Hillsdale College application and I'd appreciate any advice from people who've gone through the process. From the essays to the interviews, what should I focus on? Any tips or tricks you'd like to share?

Sure, happy to share some advice! Hillsdale College maintains a classical liberal arts tradition, so demonstrating a genuine interest in that pedagogical approach can be beneficial.

Starting with the essays, make sure to take time to craft thoughtful responses. Since Hillsdale College places a heavy emphasis on writing and critical thinking, crafting well-composed, articulate essays will demonstrate that you're academically prepared for their curriculum. Choose a topic that truly resonates with you and use an authentic voice, as a deep connection to the topic can really translate into an engaging essay.

As for interviews, it's not required for Hillsdale College, but if offered, it would be an excellent opportunity to reinforce your interest in the college. Start by doing some research about the school, its values, curriculum, and its community culture. This can help you both in asking insightful questions and also in tailoring your answers to highlight how you would fit in and contribute to their community.

Also, while Hillsdale doesn't consider extracurricular activities to be the most critical part of an application, your participation in activities related to your intended major or any leadership roles you've held may serve to enhance your application. Remember, it's about demonstrating the depth of your involvement, not how long the list is.

Lastly, ensure your academic record is strong. Hillsdale is quite competitive academically, so having a solid GPA and good standardized test scores would be definitely beneficial, but the school is test-optional for those who feel their scores do not accurately reflect their academic abilities.

All in all, focus on presenting a balanced application that demonstrates your academic abilities, your interest and fit for Hillsdale's liberal arts philosophy, and your individuality through your essays. Best of luck with your application!