Chance Me for Hillsdale College

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I would really appreciate feedback and/or tips for how to improve my stats to get into Hillsdale!

Demographics:
-US Citizen from Minnesota
-Attended a small college preparatory high school until sophomore year of high school, but currently a junior in a larger public school (switched due to limited/no classes in visual arts and business)
-legacy; both parents attended Hillsdale

Intended Major(s)
-Either Marketing or Fine Arts

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: about 3.5
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.65
  • ACT/SAT Scores: haven’t taken any official tests yet, but have scored 32 on a practice ACT

These are the classes I’ve taken in freshman, sophomore, and junior years in high school:

  • English: Ancient Lit, Medieval-Modern Lit, Philosophy in Lit
  • Math: Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus
  • Science: Physics, Intro to Botany, Honors Chemistry, Biology
  • History and social studies: Ancient History, Medieval-Modern History, AP US History, AP Art History
  • Language other than English: Intermediate Latin 3, Intermediate Spanish A, Intermediate Spanish B
  • Visual arts: Painting 1 and Painting 2 (only 2 art classes offered by my previous school), and Painting 3, Photo 1&2, and Ceramics 1
  • Other academic courses:
    Classical Rhetoric 1&2, PE/Health, Intro to Business, and Personal Finance (Concurrent Enrollment)

I also completed a 2.5 week Visual Arts pre-college program the summer before Junior year in which I received 3 college credits.

For senior year, I’m planning on taking AP Psychology, AP Lit, AP Stats, and possibly AP 2D Art.

My GPA has improved a lot over the years, from ~3.2 (freshman year), to ~3.5 (sophomore year), to ~3.85 (junior year). I know my GPA is pretty low overall, but will Hillsdale care about the upward trend?

Awards
-Scholastic Art Awards: 1 Gold Key (highest regional award) and 6 Silver Keys
-Varsity Letters in Fencing 2x (also placed in State), Track&Field 3x, Mock Trial, Publishing Club, and NHS
-won 1st place in a city-wide photography competition
-Magna Cum Laude on National Latin Exam (freshman year)

Extracurriculars
-see above, but also participated in Volunteer Club and Photography Club
-Shift Leader at Culver’s (have worked there for 2.5 years)
-Started my own art business
-Volunteered with elementary school art classes during sophomore year (earning over 75 volunteer hours)
-planning on doing a mission trip with my church this summer as well as volunteering as a Junior Counselor at a bible camp

Letters of Rec/Essays: above average

Thank you!

2

I suspect it will be tough as they have a 20 percent admit rate and a 3.95 average gpa. Your ACT, if it comes 32, will hit the average.

The way to improve stats is to get good grades. You have solid activities already.

If you mean chances, keep doing well and get to know your teachers for LORs.

Like everyone have a balanced list. That may include schools like Furman and Sewanee.

Good luck.

3

I would be surprised if you were not accepted. In addition to double legacy status, you are a solid student with well rounded ECs.

The President of Hillsdale College appeared on Life, Liberty, & Levin on Fox News yesterday.

1 Like
4

The fact that both parents attended really helps you, I think. Also, the Latin helps. To improve your chances, work really hard at keeping those grades up and write a good essay. They put a lot of weight on the essay. Also make sure you do the interview.

My D25 just got in and her GPA was 3.99 (but a Hillsdale 4.0 since they recalculate A- to just A) and 4.46 weighted GPA. SAT 1500 (Hillsdale doesn’t take super score).
Her Ap classes were Gov, APUSH, Calc AB, Lang, Lit, Chem, Stats, Psych. She is the president or executive of many clubs etc and has a lot of church involvement.
Even with everything listed above D25 “only” got a $20k scholarship and wasn’t invited to either scholar’s weekend or leadership weekend. I’m not trying to discourage just to help you set expectations.

Good luck!

1 Like
5

I’m a bit uncomfortable if you are throwing your eggs in one basket. I do trust the other posters but I’m weary of a low acceptance rate (20% so four in five aren’t getting in). They don’t have a CDS that I could find but if you’re 100% sure and don’t seek merit, maybe ED is the way to go.

Best of luck.

6

With any art major, your portfolio and/or skill will be important.

If you truly want to major in visual arts, I would cast a very wide net.

7

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