Courtesy | Megan Li

 

Hillsdale admitted 20.88% of its applicants for the incoming class of 2030, according to Senior Director of Admissions Zachary Miller. The acceptance rate over the past four years has remained at around 20%.

The roughly 370 students enter Hillsdale with an average 3.94 GPA and an average 31 ACT score, according to Miller. The freshman class, which is 52% female and 48% male, brought in students from 41 states as well as seven foreign countries, including China and Thailand. 

“I’m really excited to see these students from across the world delight in the education we have here,” Associate Director of Admissions Benjamin Strickland said.

While the acceptance rate of 20.88% remained on par with the college’s previous rates, it was not the most competitive year yet, with the class of 2029’s acceptance rate being 19.31%. The freshman yield rate fell to 58%, compared to last year’s yield rate of 61%, which indicates how many admitted students choose to enroll. 

“The yield rate tends to be between 57% and 61%,” Miller said. “So, it’s right in line with where we have been the last four or five years.”

Strickland said there are two key factors he’s watching for in potential students: ability and willingness.

“We are able to see their grades, test scores, activities, and writing style to gauge their ability,” Strickland said. “But then we look to our interactions with them, like the interview, and what they write about and why they do the things they do and who they are for the willingness part. You can’t just be smart.”

Evangeline Miller, a freshman from Arizona, said she chose Hillsdale College because of the education, family connections, and College President Larry Arnn’s insistence.

“First, because I knew the education would form me into the person God intends me to be, someone who can go and make a difference in my country,” she said. “Next, because my dad is an alumnus and told me about all the lifelong friends he made here. And lastly, Dr. Arnn told me if I didn’t come, I was stunting my intellectual growth.”

What’s difficult about Hillsdale’s academic process is that it doesn’t focus on one area, but is holistic in nature, according to Zachary Miller. 

“I can tell you what we’re looking for is a student who is academically able but also who’s interested in learning,” Zachary Miller said. “But we also want students who are willing to contribute to the community and make it as vibrant as it has been.”