Hillsdale College vs Smith College

Hillsdale College is the more selective of the two at 21%, versus 21% at Smith College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Hillsdale College
Highly selective
21%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1400
Private · Michigan
Smith College
Highly selective
21%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1440
Private · Massachusetts

Hillsdale College vs Smith College: the differences that matter

How Hillsdale College and Smith College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Hillsdale College and Smith College are almost equally selective (21% vs 21%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Hillsdale College leans more on alumni / legacy relation, volunteer work, level of applicant interest, while Smith College puts more weight on standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent / ability. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Hillsdale College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1400 and Smith College's is around 1440. Admitted students at Smith College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorHillsdale CollegeSmith College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresconsideredimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsvery importantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesimportantvery important
Talent / abilityimportantvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Hillsdale College or Smith College harder to get into?

Hillsdale College is harder to get into, with a 21% acceptance rate versus 21% at Smith College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Hillsdale College and Smith College?

Hillsdale College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1400, and Smith College's is around 1440.

What are my chances at Hillsdale College and Smith College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.