Hillsdale’s 385 newest students may not yet understand the good, the true, and the beautiful, but their standardized testing scores and interest in campus activities indicate that they will excel on Hillsdale’s campus, according to Associate Dean of Women Rebekah Dell.
Dell described the class as an “enthusiastic sponge,” excited to engage in campus activities.
The incoming class has an ACT average of 29.06, second-highest only to the class of 2015. Additionally, their high school GPA average matches that of both the 2016 and 2017 classes at 3.81, according to information from Admissions Information Coordinator Aide Kathy Fowler.
Although students had high test scores, Assistant Director of Admissions Zachary Miller explained the mindset the students must have in order to be accepted to the college.
“We try to interview all the students who apply to Hillsdale, and that’s because we want to talk about why Hillsdale’s unique from other schools, why the classical liberal arts approach, and why the classical liberal arts model is such an important way of educating,” Miller said. “We’re looking for students who want to be a part of that intensive academic environment. When you see a student’s face light up because you’re talking about Plato, you know it’s going to be a good fit.”
These freshmen are part of the 55 percent who got accepted this year and the 38 percent of those accepted who chose to pursue an education at Hillsdale, Miller said.
“I’m impressed each year not only with increased academic profile, but with engagement as well,” Dell said.
During orientation, the freshmen were enthusiastic and quick to connect with both faculty and one another, Dell said.
Representing 40 states and six countries, this class comes from a variety of different backgrounds. While 34 percent of students come from Michigan and 10 percent from Ohio, there are nine international students from Germany, Greece, Korea, Kenya, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. Additionally, eight percent of students are transfers, 38 percent come from private schools, 42 percent from public schools, and 11 percent were home-schooled.
Both Miller and Dell agreed that the greatest strength of the class as a whole is their excitement to join the Hillsdale community.
“They will carry that engagement and desire to be plugged in until they become the leaders at this school,” Dell said. “But, success without bumps is rare.”
Dell said she believes the students have demonstrated a tremendous work ethic, desire to excel, and ability to persevere through challenging experiences.
“The goal is to bring in students who fit the type of student that would be successful at Hillsdale, would contribute to the campus community, and be academically successful,” Miller said.
He said this class fulfills this description and will continue to add to the growth of the school as they learn to call Hillsdale “home.”
This class may not know the cafeteria as Saga, complain over the lack of Wi-Fi in dorms, or consider Koon Residence a male dorm, but Miller said the drive of the freshmen echoes the drive of all current or graduated Hillsdale students.
