Would a Hillsdale graduate have reduced professional opportunities?

[Anonymous]

My son is clean cut/strait laced. He’s not particularly into politics. However, he likes the traditional atmosphere at Hillsdale.

I think that it would definitely limit his employment and professional prospects to graduate from this school. Certainly my colleagues from the Bethesda area would trash his resume.

Curious if others agree.

[Anonymous]

No. It’s a perfectly good liberal arts school.

[Anonymous]

Yes, people may not admit it, but a lot of people making hiring decisions in the DC and other areas along the East Coast will toss a resume with Hillsdale on it in the trash can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, people may not admit it, but a lot of people making hiring decisions in the DC and other areas along the East Coast will toss a resume with Hillsdale on it in the trash can.

Anecdata.

[Anonymous]

Compared to what?

[Anonymous]

With two otherwise equivalent applicants, I would choose the one that wasn't from Hillsdale.

[Anonymous]

Hillsdale will be treated like ones from Liberty or Notre Dame. At certain employers they won't want to hire from these types of schools. Same for Florida, Alabama, etc.

[Anonymous]

It strikes me as a college brand that (if familiar with the college) be polarizing cutting both ways. Some will be drawn to graduates and others may look askance. Many will likely not have heard of it outside certain circles and regions I would think so probably not a big deal in that case.

Asking the question suggests concern. There are many other options out there if worried.

[Anonymous]

You can be straight edge at nearly every college in America these days without issue. Gen Z generally is not partying like we did back in the day. Choosing not to drink or do drugs or even engage in random hook-ups is not that unusual with this generation, especially at the top 30 or so colleges. Even at huge state colleges, I'd guess a vast majority don't get obliterated on the weekends.

But choosing Hillsdale is a de facto political choice. And every grad school and employer will see it as such. If the kid doesn't care about politics, Hillsdale is definitely the wrong choice. Everyone is going to assume he's a MAGA Republican and that's going to limit things. Mostly because 21 year old MAGA Republicans aren't really known for their people skills or their brain power.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It is focused on churning out people with a particular political ideology, not people with skills or knowledge. The misogyny in particular runs DEEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hillsdale will be treated like ones from Liberty or Notre Dame. At certain employers they won't want to hire from these types of schools. Same for Florida, Alabama, etc.

No, Florida and Alabama aren't remotely like Hillsdale.

Because of one our foolish folks in management, we hire an intern or two every summer from Hillsdale. They are TERRIBLE (except for one who was pretty talented). They simply cannot think deeply about anything. No analysis skills. Not able to write a paper that makes logical sense. Their reasoning is paper thin.

Big state schools like Florida/Alabama have lots of talented people in them. Especially Florida. UF has rigorous programs in science, medicine, business and engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It strikes me as a college brand that (if familiar with the college) be polarizing cutting both ways. Some will be drawn to graduates and others may look askance. Many will likely not have heard of it outside certain circles and regions I would think so probably not a big deal in that case.

Asking the question suggests concern. There are many other options out there if worried.

I agree. There are some people who won’t give a Hillsdale or Liberty grad a chance. Others don’t haven’t heard of it. And still other don’t care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hillsdale will be treated like ones from Liberty or Notre Dame. At certain employers they won't want to hire from these types of schools. Same for Florida, Alabama, etc.

I wouldn’t put any state school in the same bucket as Hillsdale or Liberty. Hillsdale on a resume is the same as writing down “I am a conservative Christian republican” . Some will be into it, some won’t, but it simply isn’t a neutral choice of school.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend whose son was considering it – he got a lot of merit and liked the great books emphasis – and not only do I think he would have had reduced professional opportunities from attending, but it actually changes the way I look at the entire family. I think in these polarized times there are many career choices where it would be a huge negative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hillsdale will be treated like ones from Liberty or Notre Dame. At certain employers they won't want to hire from these types of schools. Same for Florida, Alabama, etc.

No, Florida and Alabama aren't remotely like Hillsdale.

Because of one our foolish folks in management, we hire an intern or two every summer from Hillsdale. They are TERRIBLE (except for one who was pretty talented). They simply cannot think deeply about anything. No analysis skills. Not able to write a paper that makes logical sense. Their reasoning is paper thin.

Big state schools like Florida/Alabama have lots of talented people in them. Especially Florida. UF has rigorous programs in science, medicine, business and engineering.

Keep Notre Dame out of your willsmithin' mouth