It’s Not Just a Tour, It’s An Opportunity
Written by Greta Jones
Campus tours are an incredible opportunity for prospective students who are interested in learning more about Hillsdale College. Twin sisters Maggie and Anna Baldwin, ’25, are Student Ambassadors and love sharing all things Hillsdale by giving tours to prospective families.
In 2023, Hillsdale hosted nearly 1,200 prospective students and almost 3,000 guests. Assistant Director of Admissions Amelia Lawson has 50 active Student Ambassadors giving campus tours each week. “Our ambassador program is intended for current students to host prospective students,” Amelia said. “We think this is the most effective way for prospective students to experience Hillsdale College.”
According to Maggie, a campus tour gives prospective students the opportunity to learn about Hillsdale’s history and its values. “By shadowing us or another ambassador, prospective students can get insight into what the life of a Hillsdale student looks like,” Maggie said.
The tour paints a true picture of a day in the life of a Hillsdale student, beginning at Central Hall. From there, the ambassador gives a tour of the campus grounds, sharing the ins-and-outs of what sets Hillsdale apart from other campuses, such as the Liberty Walk statues and the magnificent Christ Chapel. Each prospective student also has the opportunity to observe classes pertaining to their interests, and eat a meal with current students in the Knorr Dining Room.
Anna emphasized how it’s the students, the faculty, and the staff of Hillsdale that make the College what it is, hence why the tours are centered around interacting with students. “There’s only so much you can learn about a college without visiting it,” Anna said. “It is the people that make Hillsdale’s campus so special. Without visiting a campus, you don’t get to meet its people. And wherever you end up going to college, you want to make sure they’re the kind of people you want to be around.”
Both Anna and Maggie suggested prospective students should come prepared to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversation. “The best tours are when students ask questions and answer my questions thoughtfully,” Maggie said. “Giving a tour to a prospective student who is not engaged can be discouraging. Don’t leave it up to parents to ask all the questions.”
The sisters explained that they look to see if the prospective student truly has a love for learning, and more importantly, how they interact with others. “Hillsdale students aren’t just brains,” Maggie said. “Much of life at Hillsdale is made up of building relationships.”
As a final tip to prospective students, Maggie said to use the tour to fully understand Hillsdale. “Take advantage of the tour, so that when you leave campus, you feel like you understand the College well,” said Maggie. “Don’t just listen to the Hillsdale facts, but get a grasp of student life. Observe the Hillsdale culture, such as the way students interact with each other, the dynamics of classes, and the traditions of the College to see if it’s something you want to be a part of for four years.”
So whether you are coming from California or the East Coast, Hillsdale tours are a great opportunity to not only learn more about the College, but to see if it is a great fit for you! “These tours can be super helpful for prospectives because they are hearing about personal experiences from real students,” says Mrs. Lawson. “The best thing about this program, and why it’s impactful, is that it provides a personal experience. It allows us to show Hillsdale on a personal level—to not just be surface level, but to take them deep into what Hillsdale is about.”
Greta Jones
, ’26, hails from Wisconsin. Growing up in Montreal, QC, she found her love for the French language, as well as the founding era of America, and is now pursuing a double major in French and American studies. When she’s not playing tennis or reading Jane Austen, Greta loves to create art for her small business, study her Bible, and enjoys conversation with friends on the quad!
Published in April 2024