Class of 2012 rankings stay steady
John Krudy
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: News
After notable jumps in admissions metrics from 2006 to 2007, academic statistics for last semester's incoming freshmen were static. The acceptance rate fell six percent, from 64 percent to 58 percent.
Average ACT test scores, the primary measure of academic ability, declined three-hundredths of a percent to 27.5, after leaping three-quarters of one percent higher the year previous. (The test is scored out of 36 points.) The average freshman GPA rose .01, and average SAT scores declined ten points, to 1930.
"Since it went up so much in 2007, it's pretty normal to see it stay around the same level," said Andrea Yeutter '06, assistant director of admissions. "Obviously, we want to continue improving, but our goal is not to jump the averages: It's to get the smartest possible class."
Yeutter said other characteristics Hillsdale admissions counselors look for in potential students include a challenging high school curriculum, a good interview and a hunger to learn.
"We've had people come in with 34 ACT scores who end up on academic probation, because they don't want to work," Yeutter said. "We want people who love learning for the sake of learning."
"Admissions looks at the entire application," said Diane Philipp, vice president of student affairs. "We got an exceptional class again. And the more [applications] they get, the more they have to seriously ask about the characteristics of the students."
The college's acceptance rate, a ratio of those who apply to Hillsdale to those who get in, did fall. But it remains high compared to other colleges that solicit larger numbers of applications, and then deny acceptance.
"It's not about getting everyone to apply to help the numbers," Yeutter said. "It's about finding the best fit."
"We look for leadership, and volunteerism," Philipp said. "And poise and personality."
Average ACT test scores, the primary measure of academic ability, declined three-hundredths of a percent to 27.5, after leaping three-quarters of one percent higher the year previous. (The test is scored out of 36 points.) The average freshman GPA rose .01, and average SAT scores declined ten points, to 1930.
"Since it went up so much in 2007, it's pretty normal to see it stay around the same level," said Andrea Yeutter '06, assistant director of admissions. "Obviously, we want to continue improving, but our goal is not to jump the averages: It's to get the smartest possible class."
Yeutter said other characteristics Hillsdale admissions counselors look for in potential students include a challenging high school curriculum, a good interview and a hunger to learn.
"We've had people come in with 34 ACT scores who end up on academic probation, because they don't want to work," Yeutter said. "We want people who love learning for the sake of learning."
"Admissions looks at the entire application," said Diane Philipp, vice president of student affairs. "We got an exceptional class again. And the more [applications] they get, the more they have to seriously ask about the characteristics of the students."
The college's acceptance rate, a ratio of those who apply to Hillsdale to those who get in, did fall. But it remains high compared to other colleges that solicit larger numbers of applications, and then deny acceptance.
"It's not about getting everyone to apply to help the numbers," Yeutter said. "It's about finding the best fit."
"We look for leadership, and volunteerism," Philipp said. "And poise and personality."
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