First-Year Students

What is the college’s mission statement?

Through an integration of the liberal arts and the professions, Hood College provides an education that empowers students to use their hearts, minds and hands to meet personal, professional and global challenges and to lead purposeful lives of responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement.

Where is the college located? What’s nearby?

Hood College is located in Downtown Frederick, Maryland – approximately an hour from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. With tons of shops, restaurants, and activities downtown, students often take advantage of the three block walk to lots of off-campus fun.

What type of college is it – public or private? College or university? 2 or 4 year? Liberal arts or research?

Hood College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college. While students do choose to major in a specific area of study, we emphasize a core curriculum grounded in the liberal arts that allows all of our students to be well-rounded and better prepared for an ever-changing job market.

Describe the campus. Are the facilities up-to-date? Are improvements made often?

Our 50-acre campus is constantly being renovated and improved. With a new library and residence hall constructed in the past year, Hood continuously updates academic buildings, residence halls, and our athletic facilities to better meet the needs of our students.

What fields of study are offered? Can I change my major if I change my mind about what to study?

Our fields of study offered are listed here. At Hood, students are not required to officially declare their major until the end of their sophomore year, and even after that point, you are able to change your major. 

What is the average class size?

Hood’s average class size is 15 students, with a student to faculty ratio of 10:1.

Are professors accessible to students? Will professors know my name?

Yes! Our professors have mandatory office hours to meet with students if they have any questions, but many of our faculty also hold open office hours, where they will meet with students whenever they’re available. With small average class sizes, professors will absolutely know your name.

What’s the retention rate – the percentage of students returning for their second year?

Hood’s retention rate for our class of 2022 is 74.5%. Our student success office on campus works closely with our first-year students to ensure that their transition from high school to college life is as smooth as possible.

What percentage of students graduate in four years?

The four-year average of our four-year graduation rate is 54.3%, which is stronger than the national averages for public (33.3%) and private (52.4%) institutions.

Are classes taught by professors, or by graduate students?

Our classes are taught by professors, with 93% of our faculty holding the highest degree in their field. We have some graduate students that are assistants in classes and able to help with tutoring, but graduate students are not teaching courses at Hood.

How do I select my classes? Will I have an advisor?

Yes! You will have an academic advisor to ensure that you are making satisfactory academic progress toward graduation. Once you have declared a major, you will have an advisor in your department that will assist you in completing all of your major requirements as well as your core curriculum requirements.

What special opportunities are offered? Can I conduct research, have an internship, and study abroad?

At Hood, you are a big fish in a small pond, so you are able to take advantage of all special opportunities available to students. Many of our students study abroad during their time at Hood in places like Australia, Spain, and South Korea. Some majors will require students to complete an internship prior to graduation, but all majors encourage it. Each year, nearly 25% of students will complete an internship for credit. Because there are fewer students competing for research opportunities, many students, especially those in the sciences, will complete research alongside a professor. Often times, these students will go on to present their research at conferences and get published in academic journals as well.

Are there resources to help with my career planning process and job placement?

Absolutely. Our career center on campus is a great resource in assisting students with career planning as early as freshman year. They frequently host events to refine resumes, build interview skills, and even secure internships for students on campus. More information about our career center can be found here.

How do I apply for admission? What are the deadlines?

You can apply to Hood College at www.hood.edu/apply - there, you will find information regarding our application deadlines. Because we operate on a rolling admission basis, we review applications as we receive them, sending out admission decisions within two to three weeks of receiving all application materials. Hood does not offer early decision or early action. We do, however, encourage all students to apply sooner rather than later to ensure the best opportunities for scholarships.

What are the most important factors for admission? How can I make my application stronger?

We at Hood emphasize well-roundedness in our applications. We want to see that you have challenged yourself in your courses, but also that you have filled your time outside of school with enriching activities, like clubs, jobs, sports, or leadership activities. The best way to make your application stronger is to have it reviewed by another set of eyes. Have someone else take a look at your essay to proofread it! As you’re thinking about applying to college, also consider joining clubs or organizations at your high school that you’re interested in or passionate about.

Are standardized tests required?

Hood College is test optional, meaning no SAT or ACT scores are required for admission or scholarships.

What’s the average GPA and SAT/ACT score for accepted students?

The average accepted student at Hood has around a 3.4 weighted GPA in high school. Because we are test optional, we do not have an average SAT score reported.

Where is the college located? What’s nearby?

Hood College is located in Downtown Frederick, Maryland – approximately an hour from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. With tons of shops, restaurants, and activities downtown, students often take advantage of the three block walk to lots of off-campus fun.

What type of college is it – public or private? College or university? 2 or 4 year? Liberal arts or research?

Hood College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college. While students do choose to major in a specific area of study, we emphasize a core curriculum grounded in the liberal arts that allows all of our students to be well-rounded and better prepared for an ever-changing job market.

Describe the campus. Are the facilities up-to-date? Are improvements made often?

Our 50-acre campus is constantly being renovated and improved. With a new library and residence hall constructed in the past year, Hood continuously updates academic buildings, residence halls, and our athletic facilities to better meet the needs of our students.

How do I apply for financial aid? How many students receive financial aid?

Students will apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will qualify you for federal money as well as institutional grants from Hood (money that does not need to be paid back). More information about the financial aid process can be found here. Approximately 98% of students receive financial aid through the FAFSA, but 100% of students will receive some form of financial assistance, whether through merit scholarships or financial aid.

How do I apply for scholarships? What type of scholarships are offered?

At Hood, you are automatically considered for all scholarships when you apply. Information about our merit scholarships. We consider many things when we are reviewing students for scholarships – extracurricular involvement, challenging coursework, and even your essay are all very important components in determining what scholarship you’ll receive.

Can I get a job on campus?

Yes! We host a job fair every year on campus so students are able to see all of the available campus jobs. Even if work study is not built in to your financial aid package, there are still plenty of opportunities for campus employment.

What’s the campus diversity like?

At Hood College, 45% of our first-year students are from minority student populations, and 39% of our total campus population is diverse. We have a multitude of diversity organizations on campus as well as our Office of Diversity and Inclusion to make sure all students feel like Hood is home. At Hood, we pride ourselves on our diversity – in fact, some of our most active organizations on campus are a part of our Diversity Coalition!

What are the housing options? How long do most students live on campus?

We have six residence halls currently on campus with a variety of living options, including single, double, triple, and quad rooms, along with suite-style living for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We have a three-year residency requirement for living on campus, but many students stay on campus for their senior year as well! More information about our residence halls, along with photos, can be found here.

Is there special housing for first-year students? How are roommates selected?

First-year students will be housed in the five traditional style buildings located on campus. They will be living in conjunction with upper-class students, creating and participating in a community centered around growth, education, and peer mentorship. These traditional residence halls are equipped with heating, air conditioning, carpeting in every residence hall room, lounge areas, a community kitchen, laundry room, computer lab spaces, and community bathrooms. This housing arrangement allows for incoming students to learn more about the Hood community from students who have been here for a year or more, and participate in programming geared towards learning and developing live skills, as well as respect towards others. The majority of rooms in these residence halls are doubles, so you will be required to fill out a housing questionnaire to allow our residence life staff to best match you with a roommate. Housing accommodations for disabilities, or for gender, cultural, or religious reasons can be made upon request

Can I bring my car to campus? How much does it cost?

Yes! All students, including first-year students, are able to bring their cars to campus. It is free of charge for you to register your vehicle with the college.

What extracurricular activities are offered? Can I play a sport?

With over 60 clubs and organizations, there is plenty to get involved with on campus! Each year, we have an organization fair where students are able to join clubs that they are interested in. Full list of student organizations.

Hood College has NCAA Division III athletic programs that students are able to participate in. If you’re looking to play a sport in college, get in contact with our coaches so they are able to see you at games or tournaments. A list of our athletic programs and contact information for coaches can be found here.