Choosing a college is a big decision, and rankings only tell a tiny part of the story. To help your student make a confident choice, here’s a guide to the four types of “fit” that matter most, especially when considering a community-centered college like Hilbert.
Academic Fit
Academic fit means finding a place where your student can learn, grow, and be supported. At Hilbert, that includes small class sizes, highly invested faculty and staff, hands-on programs, and personalized academic support like tutoring, academic counseling, and required service learning.
P.S. If your student does their best in close-knit classrooms or thrives with one-on-one attention from professors, Hilbert’s academic model is designed exactly for that!
Financial Fit
Financial fit is about the real cost, not the sticker price. Hilbert is committed to keeping education affordable, offering generous merit scholarships, need-based aid, and transparent cost breakdown.
Families often discover that Hilbert’s total cost is more competitive than larger institutions, especially when factoring in personalized support, smaller class sizes, and strong career outcomes. An affordable college means more freedom for your student after graduation, and less stress for your family.
Social & Emotional Fit
This is where Hilbert truly shines! Students consistently describe Hilbert as welcoming, diverse, inclusive, safe, and community-focused. From our inviting residence halls to approachable staff to campus clubs and activities, Hilbert fosters a place where students feel seen, known, and valued.
If your student is looking for a campus where they can build meaningful connections and feel supported emotionally and socially, Hilbert’s culture of compassion and belonging may be the perfect fit.
Career Alignment
A great college doesn’t just prepare students academically, it opens doors. Hilbert focuses on practical, hands-on learning across every major, offering opportunities like internships, career-readiness workshops, career counseling, and strong connections with local employers.
Whether your student is exploring Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Business, Psychology, or Human Services, Hilbert prepares them for real-world success and meaningful careers.
Questions Families Should Discuss Together
Use these to spark conversation as you compare Hilbert with other schools:
- Does my student benefit from a personal, supportive environment where professors know them by name?
- Does the campus feel welcoming, safe, and community-driven?
- Are the internships, service opportunities, and career connections aligned with my student’s goals?
- Is Hilbert’s financial aid package more affordable and transparent than other options we’re considering?
- Can I see my student growing academically, socially, and emotionally here?
These discussions help shift focus from rankings to what truly matters: where your student will thrive.
Rankings don’t measure things like belonging, mentorship, or personalized support but students do, and they feel it every day at Hilbert. If you’re ever uncertain about any part of the process, our Admissions and Financial Aid teams are here to walk with you step by step.
We offer various ways to view our campus and gain information, such as one-on-one visits and financial aid workshops!
Hilbert isn’t just a place to earn a degree. It’s a place to grow, be supported, and build a future. And that’s the kind of “fit” that truly lasts.
Sincerely,
Christina Clarke and Gabrielle Job
Admissions Counselors at Hilbert College
Christina serves as the Assistant Coach for Cheerleading and is a current grad student at Hilbert pursuing her Masters in Public Administration
Gabrielle is an alumni (Women’s softball student-athlete!) of Hilbert College, Class of 2022!
