Students Archives

Why I Chose Hillsdale: Katie Kortepeter

I love my grandpa. When I was a freshman in high school, he was already scheming to get me into an Ivy League school. “Brown or Harvard would be great,” I remember him saying. “Or you could go to Canada! The healthcare there is terrific.” One day, when I was fifteen, he made me sit on his lap and firmly explained why the one school I must never, ever apply to was Hillsdale College.

Internship Spotlight: Hana Bernhardson, ’17

Hana Bernhardson, ’17, is currently pursuing a major in exercise science and art. This summer, she interned with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the American Heart Association.

Why I Chose Hillsdale: 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.

Deutsch Ist Wunderbar: 10 Reasons You Should Study German at Hillsdale College

It’s the language of Schiller and Kant, Merkel and Schwarzenegger. Millions speak it, and millions study it. So if you’re considering studying a foreign language at Hillsdale, you should look at German, and here’s ten reasons why.

CCA attendees taking notes during a lecture.

5 Tips For Surviving Your First CCA

As part of Hillsdale’s core curriculum, each student is required to take at least one CCA as a course. The lectures of this year’s first CCA will focus on the life and statesmanship of British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. If you’ve never taken a CCA before, here are some tips to get you started.

The Danger of the Liberal Arts

“There is some danger in the liberal arts,” Dr. Fennell told us in that first lecture. “If you wanted to stay where you’re at, you should have become a dental hygienist.” I didn’t tell him that in my childhood, entering the world of cavities and dental chasms had been my modest aspiration. But something other than my idea of common sense propelled me into the astonishing world of Dr. Fennell’s classroom, and into an uncommon store of wisdom.

The Joys of Hillsdale’s Theatre Department

When I auditioned, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. I’d auditioned for plays before, but this was college. Surely the process would be far more competitive than anything I’d experienced so far. My audition was with a group of six other students and the talent I saw blew me away. I remember thinking that if I was up against them for parts, there was no way I’d be cast.

To the News (Max)

I’d been searching for an internship since October. The temporary advisor to the Collegian had encouraged me to find a journalism internship for the summer. However, I struggled to find ones for which I was eligible, since I was only a freshman at the time.

View of the Freshman Convocation attendees, outside.

What is the Freshman Pledge?

As an incoming student to Hillsdale College, the freshman pledge was a commitment to principles I already understood to be a crucial part of a liberal arts education. Hillsdale freshmen come to college with educational and moral standards already set in their lives. The freshman pledge does not contain concepts that are foreign to incoming students, and it is not for the sake of keeping students in line; it serves a greater purpose.

Beyond the Gate

I barely remember taking the Freshman Pledge during the Convocation ceremony at the beginning of the year. I do, however, remember the Convocation addresses given by seniors Morgan Delp and Matthew O’Sullivan. They spoke glowingly of Hillsdale, saying it was something special, sharing the types of guaranteed-to-please happy memories that one would expect to hear at an event attended by new students and parents, but nonetheless speaking earnestly and without any sentimental fluff.

The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of Life as a Hillsdale Student

“The pursuit of truth, the love of the good, and the cultivation of the beautiful.” This is what every Hillsdale student promises to pursue when he or she takes the Freshman Pledge. The true, the good, and the beautiful are what Hillsdale is all about.

10 Things Students Should Know When Traveling Abroad

Passports are the most exciting things. They get you into strange and wild new places. They allow a smooth welcome back to the United States. The stamps and visas are like a “collect them all” for the nations of the world. Here are 10 things to know when planning your next overseas trip.