HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College undergraduate admissions has seen a more than 53% increase in applications over the past decade. Additionally, the yield rate — the percentage of admitted students who chose to enroll — has reached a new record of 62%. Even with increased selectivity, the college looks for more than high test scores when recruiting students. Hillsdale College continues to seek those who are academically serious, possess strong moral character, and are willing to work together in pursuit of the college’s mission.
“Hillsdale College’s commitment to a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that is rooted in the western tradition attracts students from all across the country,” said Zack Miller, senior director of admissions. “Hillsdale is a place for students to pursue truth and grow in character, and it stands out amongst other colleges and universities because of its mission and serious approach to the liberal arts.”
While the demand has increased, the qualities that the college looks for in an ideal candidate have stayed the same. The Admissions Office looks for important characteristics that determine the right fit for the college community — and a perfect test score is not necessarily one of them. The college seeks students who are:
- Serious about their academic endeavors and have demonstrated success in rigorous coursework
- Excited by the study of Great Ideas and are willing to join in on the “Great Conversation”
- Willing to impact the college community through their involvement in student clubs, service, and leadership on campus
- Committed to leading virtuous lives as called to by the Hillsdale College Honor Code
At Hillsdale College, students pursue a classical liberal arts core curriculum. All students, regardless of major, take courses on the Great Books, Western and American Heritage, the U.S. Constitution, theology, philosophy, the fine arts, and the natural sciences.
“Students at Hillsdale can expect to spend about two years of their time in the core curriculum, together studying the great ideas of our heritage,” said Miller. “While many colleges are moving away from strong core curriculums and the liberal arts, Hillsdale boldly stands by those pursuits because the study of timeless and permanent truths helps us better understand how we ought to order our lives toward the good, the true, and the beautiful.”