Why I Chose Hillsdale: Emma McCormick
Written by Emma McCormick
I visited Hillsdale College this February during Scholars Weekend. At that time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to come to Hillsdale, because of its small size and what I assumed was a lack of diversity. My visit is the reason I chose Hillsdale in the end.
The first thing I noticed about Hillsdale was the friendliness of the students. Throughout my visit, instead of being shunned as a prospective student, I felt welcomed. In the dining hall, I had the chance to talk with current students and student ambassadors who were genuinely interested in me and happy to share their Hillsdale experiences.
By the end of the first day, I had realized the students at Hillsdale are kind and genuine, but with Hillsdale’s reputation of conservatism, I was still halfway expecting everyone to be a Young Republican. Instead, I found individuals to be united by their beliefs in God, education, and the truth, yet still remain their own person. The students at Hillsdale have their own ideas, interests, and backgrounds. There are still debates and discussions on topics where there is disagreement. Now that I had dispelled my first concern about the lack of diversity, I still wasn’t sure if the school was too small.
I came from a small high school, and I thought I wanted a large college. Hillsdale is on the smaller side, but in just a few short days I could see the benefits of that. People saw their friends and acquaintances every time they walked across campus, and they talked of good relationships with professors who are able to actually get to know them. Plus, it was nice to know if I got up late, I could still make it all the way across campus in under ten minutes.
During my visit, I was able to attend some classes and faculty lectures. These confirmed what I already knew about Hillsdale. I also really enjoyed spending time with the other prospective students. Leading up to my visit, I had been curious about what kind of students I would meet. It turns out that they were the type who like to play Catchphrase, read books, and open doors for each other. They were intelligent and able to have a good time. One of the highlights of my visit was a party at an off-campus house. At many colleges, an off-campus party sounds like something to stay away from, but at Hillsdale, it’s something to seek. After the party, which mostly consisted of talking, games, and food, I felt like I had experienced the real community and atmosphere of Hillsdale.
I applied to Hillsdale College because I believe in the school: the liberal arts curriculum, the belief in truth, the Christian environment. I chose to attend Hillsdale College because of my experience when I visited: the welcoming students, the comfortable size, and the atmosphere on campus.
Emma McCormick, ’19, is from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and plans on majoring in economics. It is still too early to call her a full-fledged member, but she participates in mock trial and the firearms club, and volunteers at Mary Randall Preschool.