Hello. I'm seeking opinions of, and anecdotal info about, Hillsdale College and Liberty University

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to narrow down my short list for college, and both Liberty and Hillsdale are both on it. I was also considering BYU, Norwich, and SMU as well. I'm leaning towards Liberty for two reasons: I already qualify for a debate scholarship that will cover most of it, and it's fairly close to home, at least compared to my other options.

I'm also interested in Hillsdale, but distance and cost is a factor. I'm also not crazy about the idea of very cold winters. I'd qualify for some financial aid, but I would have to look for grants and take loans also. My parents both think I should consider Hillsdale as my first choice, but I'm leaning towards Liberty.

I'm interested in majoring in History, and will likely go to law school after undergrad.

My mom warned me beforehand about posting this question here, so I'll leave you with this: we're a conservative family. I'm a conservative libertarian. I'm not interested in discussing politics or hearing about how I'm an awful person, or that my choices of schools don't fit your worldview. I'm simply looking for anyone who has any sort of useful, firsthand or family-level experiences or knowledge about these schools. That being said, thank you all for your time.

[Anonymous]

Hillsdale doesn’t participate in federal financial aid programs, plan accordingly. Undergrads at Liberty do worksheets.

[Anonymous]

Hillsdale is better than liberty by a long shot.

They aren’t comparable at all

Your parents are right

[Anonymous]

No one is going to take you seriously with a degree from any of those except maybe BYU (which actually is to some degree reputable). I would not trust the basic skills and knowledge of an applicant with a BA from Liberty...

[Anonymous]

I would take Liberty off of your list.

Hillsdale, SMU and BYU, while not my cup of tea, are legitimate, well-respected Us whose graduates go on to solid careers in law, academia, public policy, business etc.

I will say though that even if you are conservative and Christian, BYU would be tough if you're not Mormon. Are you?

I don't know anything about Norwich.

[Anonymous]

BYU is easily the best of those, and relatively inexpensive as college costs go these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one is going to take you seriously with a degree from any of those except maybe BYU (which actually is to some degree reputable). I would not trust the basic skills and knowledge of an applicant with a BA from Liberty...

Hillsdale and SMU are very reputable universities. Liberty is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BYU is easily the best of those, and relatively inexpensive as college costs go these days.

it is 90% mormon though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one is going to take you seriously with a degree from any of those except maybe BYU (which actually is to some degree reputable). I would not trust the basic skills and knowledge of an applicant with a BA from Liberty...

Yours is the type of response I specifically mentioned I wasn't looking for. Clearly reading compression isn't your forte, which doesn't speak well for wherever you went to school.

My mom did mention I would get responses like yours. I owe her a batch of cookies now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BYU is easily the best of those, and relatively inexpensive as college costs go these days.

it is 90% mormon though.

We are members of the CJCLDS. But that wasn't specifically why it's on my shortlist

[Anonymous]

Going to Liberty will likely set you up for a life isolated from most except very conservative, evangelical Christians. Fair or not, many employers will look askance at a degree from Liberty, especially after Falwell Jr.'s unabashed support of Trump has (negatively) raised the school's profile/infamy. Maybe that's fine if you want to work for conservative non-profits or lawmakers. Many Liberty students marry each other and have insular social lives - so it's great to attend that school if you aspire to that Christian subculture. I have a colleague that graduated from Liberty in the early 2000s - he is a devoted Christians but despises Trump and thinks the name of his university has been heavily tarnished by Falwell's Trump boosterism. Better route? Go to the best mainstream school you can get into and seek out other Republicans and evangelical Christens. It'll keep your professional options open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is going to take you seriously with a degree from any of those except maybe BYU (which actually is to some degree reputable). I would not trust the basic skills and knowledge of an applicant with a BA from Liberty...

Yours is the type of response I specifically mentioned I wasn't looking for. Clearly reading compression isn't your forte, which doesn't speak well for wherever you went to school.

My mom did mention I would get responses like yours. I owe her a batch of cookies now

NP. You mentioned wanting to go to law school, so PP has a point. Have you looked at the stats on where graduates from these universities go to law school?

[Anonymous]

To me, Liberty will always be associated with under-qualified folks who were pushed into the Bush administration and then washed out. Of the schools on your list, Hillsdale and BYU are the only ones I'd take seriously as a hiring manager.

[Anonymous]

Many of the youth from my church head off to Liberty every year. I don't know a single one that has emerged ready for a career in anything other than ministry. Several current freshman I know are taking half of their classes online from their dorm room on campus, and this is seen as "normal." They all seem to enjoy their experience, but if you're spending all that money, it's important to get an education as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going to Liberty will likely set you up for a life isolated from most except very conservative, evangelical Christians. Fair or not, many employers will look askance at a degree from Liberty, especially after Falwell Jr.'s unabashed support of Trump has (negatively) raised the school's profile/infamy. Maybe that's fine if you want to work for conservative non-profits or lawmakers. Many Liberty students marry each other and have insular social lives - so it's great to attend that school if you aspire to that Christian subculture. I have a colleague that graduated from Liberty in the early 2000s - he is a devoted Christians but despises Trump and thinks the name of his university has been heavily tarnished by Falwell's Trump boosterism. Better route? Go to the best mainstream school you can get into and seek out other Republicans and evangelical Christens. It'll keep your professional options open.

This and as much as interviewers and employer shouldn’t let bias cloud their view, it does.