Curious to hear from recent/current students and parents of Hillsdale College how the campus culture and curriculum is relative to what is being said in the media and other forums. Thanks for any perspective shared both good and bad appreciated.
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Have you looked at niche reviews?
I don’t have firsthand experience but…
My neighbors kid went (physics) and went on to grad engineering at Notre Dame.
They are very very very religious and conservative and said it was a dream experience of all like minded kids…
Their President was about to take over Tennessee Charter School education (our governor wants to bring religion in) but was caught calling teachers some of the dumbest people from the dumbest colleges- so the governor had to pull back.
I suspect what you read or hear - is what it is. If it meets your beliefs, then great - and if not, probably not a fit.
But I would read niche reviews as a minimum and maybe call and ask to speak to a student ambassador.
Also, these are the colleges that don’t take federal money. That’s telling too in regards to what their belief system is.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Hillsdale College to Open 50 Charter Schools in Tennessee | TIMCAST
Teachers from ‘dumbest parts of dumbest colleges’, Lee advisor claims (newschannel5.com)
A List of Colleges That Don’t Take Federal Money – Dean Clancy
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A graduate our local high school went there and I visited the school with my child who ultimately went elsewhere due to a good scholarship. They have a lot of unique programs which fit the purposes of the institution. For instance, they have targeted scholarship funds for those who major in journalism. One challenge they have in not taking federal funding is that they don’t have the grants and contracts other schools may have and they need to use school and donor money to support science. The experience of the student from our local school is that you had to work fairly hard with the core which is challenging and that there is a national student body which is more religious and right of center than most liberal arts colleges. They have a lot of spirited debates on politics, religion, etc, but unlike a lot of other schools those discussions tend to be respectful engagement rather than shouting folks down. It is in a small town away from most things, but have Jackson and Detroit to get city amenities.
I bought my kid a Hillsdale sweatshirt when we visited and unlike all the other college gear they wear where you get an occasional “Go Blue” or “Go Badgers” with the big name colleges, when they have worn their Hillsdale gear, people come up and ask them if they attended and how they heard its a great school and want to hear more about the school (actual random in-depth engagement). When my child was in the college search process, they hosted a free event with food and a presentation by the president. There were several hundred people there excited about a school and most of the folks I spoke with didnt go there. I had never seen anything like it in the academic world. The alumni I did talk to enjoyed their experience and highly recommended it to others. I have worked at several Universities and I sure would like to replicate what they are doing to create a national community and name recognition and non-affiliated donor support. The president does say things which out of context may sound problematic, but even on the comment on teachers, I dont know that there is any data providing a claim that the top 10% of college grads (whatever that would be) all go into teaching. If I had a child who got in and was interested in the school, but uncertain, I would see if they can do one of the overnight stays to really see what it is like and if it fits their vibe.
As you know, my oldest son goes there (and my second just got in! 
and I would echo everything this poster said. The vibe there is unique and amazing! But if you are worried the culture might not be a great fit I would visit with your child to see first hand what it’s like! Sit in on a few classes, too. Possibly read “Leaving Bryn Mawr for Hillsdale” also…. Similar situation in that the author was not religious but was drawn there for other reasons.