Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
The picture you are looking at represents a good reason to have hope for America's future. I am sitting in the airport as I write this, having just visited the renowned Hillsdale College to talk about Sex & God at Yale. Many of you who subscribe to Imprimus know of the college's reputation as an island of sensibility in a sea of academic sludge. I was very impressed by this place, which, this time of year, is just beautiful. And the students--they were bright, curious, full of energy, and enthusiastic about ideas; I was very, very, very impressed by them.
Someone wrote me a message awhile back, asking if there is anywhere he could send his kids to college where they wouldn't spend four years in a moral and intellectual dead zone. There's nothing like paying $200,000 in order for your kids to have their minds assaulted mercilessly by the radical left for four years. That, sadly, is what many parents of college students are paying for these days.
I had heard of Hillsdale before, but having spent some time here, I'm very excited just to know this place exists. I'd heartily recommend the college to anyone looking for a rigorous education in a context where upright social values are respected and nourished. Living a morally responsible life is not considered lame here.
Plus, they have Ricochet All-Star Paul Rahe on the faculty. Paul and his wonderful wife Laura treated me to some delicious roasted lamb one evening while I was here, and I've decided that any college that has a Professor Rahe on the roster has got to be alright.
Finally, I ask you: What other college in the world has a six-foot bronze statue of Ronald Reagan on the campus quad?
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Apr '11
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
I visited Hillsdale on behalf of my daughter, met Dr Rahe, absolutely adored the statues of Reagan and Thatcher, was tremendously impressed with the student who gave me the official yet casual tour, then went home and enthusiastically recommended it to my one and only.
That said, I'm sick of hearing all state universities slandered with such a broad brush as above, and selling our children so short that they are helpless in the face of merciless assaults by leftists. Hillsdale grads still have to work in the world of such assaults after they leave anyway.
My wife and I let our daughter choose, and she chose Berkeley, probably number one or two on most Ricochetti's list of the 'worst' colleges. I didn't try to dissuade her, because I know she is going to study the hard sciences and isn't afraid of being seduced or brainwashed. Universities are so much more than their humanities departments.
Like the girl says to Woody Allen at the end of his masterpiece "Manhattan" - - - you have to have a little faith in people. Not everyone gets corrupted.
Edited on September 21, 2012 at 7:45pmRe: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
I've been proud to be the Vice Chairman of the Board of Hillsdale for the past ten years. Both of my children opted to attend other colleges; however, I have every reason to believe they will be able to recognize the differences between education and indoctrination.
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
Thanks for this, Nathan. Hillsdale College represents a national treasure. A treasure.
May '10
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
I attended UConn and University of Rochester, studying liberal arts. Filtering the leftist propaganda out left little of substance. Were it not for my time spent browsing the stacks, my extracurricular activitives, and Midevil History, it would have been a waste of time. There's so much indoctrination that little education is actually imparted, and it's often tough to tell the difference.
I wish I'd heard of Hillsdale back then.
May '12
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
Other good universities: Brigham Young U. (Utah or Idaho), and Southern Virginia U. OK they are also LDS, but great schools. Tuition is "reasonable" --- And -- they are open to all faiths.
Sent my son to Reed College in Portland, OR (got "liberalized"). Sent my daughter to Knox College, in Galesberg, IL (got "liberalized"). Both good schools (per ratings), but lost them to "the world".
Nov '10
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
HoosierDaddy:
That said, I'm sick of hearing all state universities slandered with such a broad brush as above, and selling our children so short that they are helpless in the face of merciless assaults by leftists.
Edited 25 minutes ago
Furthermore, I sense a change in student attitudes, exemplified especially by the appeal of Ron Paul. Nonconformism is the perennial trend of students, and now that the humanities departments are almost thoroughly left-conforming, rebellion is brewing.
During the 80's & 90's I supervised science students during summers at a aero-space research center. There were often dirisive jokes about post-modernism and political correctness. If your children are in the hard sciences they are likely to find plenty of conservative pals.
Also consider Grove City College in Pennsylvania.
Aug '12
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
Obviously I have a certain level of bias, but I would also recommend the Virginia Military Institute (and our rival the Citadel). VMI, the nations oldest state supported military college, has one of the highest donations rates among Alumni. In many cases, this means that financial aid (in addition to any ROTC scholarships) are given to many cadets, making the college affordable even for out of state students. The student body is typically quite conservative, and the liberal arts program is respected nationwide (and is still very traditional). The engineering programs are in the top 20. The professors I had for my engineering courses were in general, quite conservative. Combining this with the structure of the military system leads to a very unique college experience, one that places an emphasis on service and honor.
Jan '12
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
I want to like this whole post! I graduated from Hillsdale in 2009 and never get tired of reading more about it. None of my friends who attended other colleges or universities seem to have the fond feelings for their alma maters that I and my classmates still have for Hillsdale. Just last week I attended an admissions reception in my area because I think it's that important. I'm glad you had a good experience during your visit, Nathan. I promise you that's what Hillsdale is like all the time.
Jun '12
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
This is reason for hope! Now I just need to figure out how to pay for two kids to attend.... Well, I've got 12 years til the first one is up. Still time.
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
It is not dirt cheap. No private school is. But the tuition is less than half of what you would pay at a small liberal arts college such as Hamilton College. Right now, I believe, the sticker price for tuition is ca. $20,000 a year
Nov '10
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
So, Nathan, you went to Yale, where it sounds as though you experienced the usual modern higher education wasteland--and received a nice credential, a Yale degree, which allowed you to get a book about Yale published and embark on a (presumably) successful writing career. Peter says Hillsdale is a national treasure, and sent his kids to Dartmouth.
I have a ten-year-old child, who seems so far to be pretty gifted, and I think about these things when I think about her future. How does an intelligent young person weigh the advantages of a real (Hillsdale or the like) education against the potential jumpstart in life afforded by going to a big-name university? I ask as someone who turned down an Ivy League college acceptance and later regretted not having that credential.
Edited on September 21, 2012 at 11:58pmRe: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
First of all. Good comments here. The decision about where to go to college touches many factors: money, prestige, the real intellectual value vs. the perceived intellectual value. There are other schools that have bigger names, although Hillsdale commands a lot of respect, and is academically, from what I gather, very rigorous. On average, it takes a 3.8 GPA and 1980 on the SATs to get in.
I ask this to those parents who commented: How mature is your child? How able to stand up for what he or she believes in and resist conformity? How firm of faith? Will he or she benefit from the close faculty interaction one can get at a small liberal arts college? Visit a few and get a sense for yourself.
A degree from Yale or Dartmouth can bring some important advantages. And some fantastic conservative leaders have come out of those schools. But if your child has the dilemma of choosing one of those schools vs. Hillsdale, then that's a good problem to have.
Most kids will not have that dilemma. Regardless, having visited the place, I can say this: Hillsdale should be on your list of places to consider.
Apr '11
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
As a graduate of a top notch Minnesota school, St. Olaf College, I have seen the college become "progressively liberal" over the past fifty years. I have been to Hillsdale five times plus multiple other Hillsdale events. I have conversed one on one with Peter Robinson and Paul Rahe to "name drop" plus countless others that make the trek west of Detroit to lecture. I foundly remember one evening Jonah Goldberg took questions from a small group of us old timers way past everyone's bedtime. It is the best education I have had in retirement and I am refreshed and enthused after every Hillsdale event!
Feb '12
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
And I want to add that it's been that way for a long time. I graduated from Hillsdale in 1974. I remember sitting in an Econ 101 class Freshman year learning how to think. I entered Hillsdale as a liberal radical and left a conservative.
btw - One of the things I absolutely love about Richochet is that everyone involved knows about my alma mater. It's one of the few places where that happens.
Jun '12
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
I have to add as a very proud mother that my son was accepted into the very first graduate class at Hillsdale! He started this fall. We moved him and his wife there in June and absolutely loved our tour of the campus. He is very excited and loving his classes there.
Apr '11
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
David John
Furthermore, I sense a change in student attitudes, exemplified especially by the appeal of Ron Paul. Nonconformism is the perennial trend of students, and now that the humanities departments are almost thoroughly left-conforming, rebellion is brewing.
During the 80's & 90's I supervised science students during summers at a aero-space research center. There were often dirisive jokes about post-modernism and political correctness. If your children are in the hard sciences they are likely to find plenty of conservative pals.
Also consider Grove City College in Pennsylvania. · 23 hours ago
<<<If your children are in the hard sciences they are likely to find plenty of conservative pals.>
Actually, my point is not how many liberal or conservative classmates she'll have, but rather that a candidate for a biochemistry degree is too busy doing calculus homework, hours of chem lab, etc to have the time and energy to care about politics. And it's the same with their professors, I hope.
Jan '12
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
I know--I love that too! When you tell someone at Ricochet you went to Hillsdale, they are usually impressed and/or envious. When you tell just about anyone else, you get a blank stare.
Sep '10
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
I had the same dilemma. My son is very bright, 2300 SAT, top GPA from competitive high school, Eagle Scout. He applied, and was accepted to many schools, including ones that would give him credentials. He has been reading National Review since he was 14 and listening to the Ricochet Podcast since inception. He even has a Mark Steyn t-shirt. Probably not one to be indoctrinated. At the end of the day he chose Hillsdale. Truthfully, I think he never wanted to go anywhere else. He's been there about a month and he's never been happier. That, and knowing that there is real academic rigor at Hillsdale make me think he made the right choice.
I would like to know how conservative publications and think tanks rate these kids vs. the Dartmouth/Yale/Princeton kids.
Nov '10
Re: Hillsdale College -- an Alternate Academic Universe
Late Boomer
. . . At the end of the day he chose Hillsdale. Truthfully, I think he never wanted to go anywhere else. He's been there about a month and he's never been happier. That, and knowing that there is real academic rigor at Hillsdale make me think he made the right choice.
I would like to know how conservative publications and think tanks rate these kids vs. the Dartmouth/Yale/Princeton kids.
Thanks for weighing in. I realize that the Ivy League is even more competitive today than when I turned it down and that my daughter may therefore not have to make this kind of decision, but I still think it's possible that she will, and in case it comes to that I'd like to have some idea how to advise her. Of course, I realize that it will to some degree depend on what she wants to do with her life. But I agree, it would be great to hear whether conservative publications and think tanks favor Hillsdale kids or Ivy graduates, and why.