ryanans

Hi all, I am a rising senior from New Mexico. I currently attend a charter school that consistently outperforms public schools in our area. I have taken the ACT so far and scored a 28. My GPA is 3.6. I participate in a couple of extracurriculars:
English Expo- statewide english competition- done 4 years, last two years I won 3rd place in declamation
Youth and Government- statewide mock government 3-day conference that takes place in state capitol- ran for Governor last year- didn't win but it was a great experience participated for 4 years
New Mexico Boys State- elected to be Speaker of the House
I am also going to volunteer on a political campaign soon.

I know but that my ECs are fairly thin but they show a committment to both the program and to my interest in politics. I would participate in more but my school doesn't offer many more extracurricular activities. The only others are sports (I also participate on my schools flag football team and have for four years) because it is a small school. In addition to the extracurriculars I work at my parents store. I have worked since freshman year and work essentially any time I am not at school or participating in an extracurricular activity. Off the top of my head, I would say I work approx. 25 to 28 hours a week. I work there because it is a small business and we can't really afford to hire other employees.


I know for sure that I am interested in Hillsdale College in Michigan but other than that I don't really know what colleges would match me.

M's Mom

Your ECs are not thin! Working 25-28 hrs/wk in a family business is considered a significant EC and one that is respected by College Admissions. They know that not everyone has the luxury of doing clubs and volunteer work after school. Do not sell yourself short!

Your grades are good. Try the SAT - some kids do much better on one vs. the other.

Finally, what is it about Hillsdale that you like so much? Stated differently, what are the criteria you are using to choose colleges that led you to select Hillsdale? And finally, have talked with your parents about how much they can afford for college? That's critical information for your search.

zobroward

hillsdale is a great school and is a free thinking school! they do not let the government try and play big brother with it! it does attract a certain type of student, that is different than say brown or berkley.

mom2collegekids

Hillsdale doesn't use any federal or state aid.

Ryan....you need to ask your parents how much they'll pay each year. That will likely determine where you should apply and where you can afford to go to college.

ryanans

M's Mom- what I really love about Hillsdale is the way they reject government intrusion into their college. They stress the importance of our Constitution, they encourage delving into our nations history, they require a class on the constitution. They also aren't half bad at providing a fantastic education. I believe they are ranked 60th in the US News and World report rankings. I went to a luncheon in Albuquerque, where a Hillsdale History professor was speaking and it was just amazing. He spoke for an hour and a half and it felt like ten minutes, honestly. That experience just reinforced all my interest in the college. I also receive the monthly paper they send out called Imprimis. It is always very interesting and I really like the speakers they have at the campus. It is also very small which I like and frankly I have never heard a bad thing about Hillsdale.

The biggest problem I will have is being able to afford to pay any costs. We really don't have all that much money to put towards my education. I know we have our own business but it doesn't make much money. We live in a mobile home, and a year ago my mother had to get a job at a Verizon call center to help keep everything running. That is the main reason that I work at the store as much as I do. So we really won't be able to pay much. I know Hillsdale has a very good system that helps a lot of students go to the college. 93% of students receive aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment. According to this website 58% of students receive need-baised aid for an average of 7800. All in all it would cost about 30,000 a year. So my biggest problem is the practicality of attending even if I were accepted.

Erin's Dad

It sounds like you may appreciate the way they reject gov't intrusion but it works to your detriment. You may need to look elsewhere to take advantage of federal and state aid. Some large NM schools (UNM, etc) are obvious options.

vinceh

Per usual, Erin's Dad is spot on in his comments. There are literally hundreds of schools that have solid political science and history departments. I would encourage you to consider a wide range of colleges, even those that don't espouse your current political position. Colleges should be about challenging and honing your thinking not merely reinforcing what you currently belief (Look into the Jesuit schools, they typically have strong poli-sci/history departments while having the annoying ability to train you to think and assess all sides of an issue).

With cost an issue, start with your in-state flagship. From there you can move onto other LACs that may be equally or more generous than Hillsdale.

ryanans

I am definitely looking at UNM and also NM State. At UNM I would be eligible for the UNM Scholars scholarship which pays approx. $5950 per year. UNM would be a very nice safety as would NM State and the other state college I would consider in Eastern New Mexico. But those are all safeties. Are there any other places that you guys think I should consider applying to or are the state U's really my only options?

zobroward

ryanans.. hillsdale is surely a thorn in the side of many , they are free thinkers whille, other schools will try and mold you! I personally would not choose to attend the school for other reasons but, I really respect them . and you will get a great education @ hillsdale. the thousands of other schools will continue to provide the standard issue left wing political stuff for those who so desire it!

ryanans

zobroward- That's really the reason I want to go. Hillsdale does not necessarily indoctrinate students to the right of the political spectrum, rather they push you to think for yourself. All the while you can get a world class education that is on par with almost any school. (They may not be Ivy League but they are surely tier two or at least three). I also really appreciate the focus on the birth of our nation. I have always been interested in history and while I may not want to major in it, to look in depth at our founding would be fantastic.

ryanans

Anyway, does anyone have any idea of some other colleges I should think about that may fit my scores and my apparant interest. I am interested in majoring in either pre-law, business administration, or may economics.