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Hood College

Frederick, United States

  • Cost of Living$ 21,348
  • Tuition Fee From$ 9,000
  • Country Rank#1008
  • Batch Strength1,177
  • Global Diversity-
  • Gender Ratio-

Overview

About

Hood College, established in 1893 as the Woman’s College of Frederick, has evolved into a world-class, independent, liberal arts college that facilitates higher education in courses like medicine, veterinary sciences, dentistry and law. Near the establishment of the college, only courses like music, liberal arts and secretarial trades were offered exclusively for women. In the 1970s, after an extensive debate amongst the Board of Trustees, Hood College finally opened its gates to the male population of students and achieved the status of a coeducational institute. With an aim to imbibe impactful education, personal achievement, further opportunities, integral responsibilities and engaged citizenship amongst its students, Hood seeks to create an all-inclusive community that would encourage an empowering education while also preparing its students to take on professional and global challenges.

 

The college is situated in the historic town of Frederick, Maryland. It is around an hour away from popular tourist places like Washington DC, Baltimore and Gettysburg. Additionally, Maryland has a vibrant cultural scene fostered by a diverse demography. Frederick has consistently received several accolades for being one of the best cities to reside in the United States because of its exceptional weather, health facilities and standard of living. Due to the college’s location in this delightful town, students can access several internships, career prospects, research facilities, outdoor learning, and a once-in-a-lifetime student experience. 

 

The Hood College acceptance rate is currently determined at around 76.8%, which implies the ease and convenience of enrolment. Students who meet the prerequisites defined by the college stand a good chance of getting admitted. Aspirants can choose to study under one of the several schools and departments, which include a plethora of Hood College courses, as mentioned below -

 

  • The George B. Delaphine Jr. School of Business
  • The Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences
    - Department of Nursing
    - Department of Psychology & Counseling
    - Department of Sociology & Social Work
  • Department of Art & Archaeology
  • Department of Biology
  • Department of Chemistry & Physics
  • Department of Computer Science & Information Technology
  • Department of Education
  • Department of English & Communication Arts
  • Department of Global Languages & Cultures
  • Department of History
  • Department of Law & Criminal Justice
  • Department of Mathematics
  • Department of Music
  • Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies
  • Department of Physical Education
  • Department of Political Science & Global Studies

 

Students aspiring to pursue careers in pure research can continue their work through any academic and research centers at Hood College, specifically structured to help students understand research work easily.

 

  • Martha E. Church Center for Community & Civic Engagement
  • Center for Computer Security & Information Assurance
  • Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies
  • Shirley Conner Hardinge Center for Global & International Studies
  • The Center for the Humanities
  • Josephine Steiner Student Success Center
  • Center for Teaching & Learning

Ranking

Rankings can be a crucial contributor when deciding where to apply. On similar terms, the Hood College ranking has been inferred based on several aspects like academics, infrastructure, career opportunities, placements, accommodation, faculty, facilities and student life. After its first appearance in global rankings in 1983, Hood College has made the list over 22 times as one of the best colleges. According to Forbes, it ranks 500th among American universities. It ranks around 516th among 1,546 colleges for its diversity and student community. Some of the other specific rankings achieved by the college in recent years are mentioned below -

 

  • Times Higher Education 2023 - #501
  • US News & World Report 2022 - #40 in Regional Universities of North
  • US News & World Report 2022 - #20 in Best Value Schools in the US
  • US News & World Report 2022 - #13 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
  • US News & World Report 2022 - #97 in Top Performers on Social Mobility

 

Course-wise Rankings

 

  • Business Courses
    - 722nd on the Best Schools for Business, Management and Marketing list in the US.
    - 12th in Maryland.

 

  • Humanities Courses
    - Niche Rankings in English - #308
    - National Niche Rankings in Communication - #369

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

-

-

Facilities

An elaborate list of Hood College facilities ensures students get the opportunity to participate in communal activities outside the walls of the classroom. Furthermore, the college has taken additional steps to ensure students can acquire all amenities and a positive student life experience. Not only is the student community diverse and welcoming, but the college has also organised several student engagement platforms to aid interaction with peers. Some of the best facilities to look forward to are as follows -

 

  • Comfortable commuter lounge with 24-hour access
  • Quiet study areas
  • Facilitated campus mail and post office
  • Hood College email account for access to information and study material
  • 14 outdoor emergency phones across the campus
  • Convenient commute facilities
  • Student organisations
  • Academic honour societies
  • Student discounts at local organisations, shops and restaurants
  • Numerous volunteer opportunities

Notable Alumni

Kelly M. Schulz
Kelly M. Schulz
Former Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce
Claire McCardell
Claire McCardell
American fashion designer
David Gallaher
David Gallaher
American video game writer

Courses

Admission

Hood College Entry Requirements

 

Although the admission process seems quite lenient because of its low acceptance rate, it is best to stay on top of the application process by ensuring the applicants meet all the prerequisites. Scores of entrance exams like SAT, ACT, GMAT or GRE must be a top priority. Additionally, scores acquired in English language proficiency tests are crucial to acquire a spot. Along with these, a list of all Hood College entry requirements for undergraduate and graduate aspirants has been compiled below -

 

Admission Requirements For Undergraduate Students

 

  • Minimum required GPA: 3.4 on a scale of 4.0
  • SAT score: 1105 on a scale of 1600
  • ACT score: 22
  • Official transcripts 
  • Scores of English proficiency tests
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume/portfolio
  • Copy of passport
  • Interview with an admission counsellor
  • Personal essay/statement of purpose
  • Financial Documents

 

Admission Requirements For Graduate Students

 

  • Minimum required GPA: 2.5 - 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
  • Official transcripts 
  • UG degree in relevant subjects
  • Scores of English proficiency tests
  • Letters of recommendation (minimum 2)
  • Work experience
  • Resume/portfolio
  • Copy of passport
  • Interview with an admission counsellor
  • Personal essay/statement of purpose
  • Financial Documents

 

English Language Proficiency Tests

 

All international students are required to take the English language proficiency test while applying. The minimum scores for the latter are tabulated below. However, applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are exempt from submitting these scores.


 

Course

Exams

Minimum required score

UG

TOEFL (internet-based)

79

TOEFL (paper-based)

550

TOEFL (computer-based)

213

IELTS

6.5

PTE

53

Duolingo English Test

100

PG

TOEFL iBT

89

IELTS

6.5

Duolingo English Test

105

 

Hood College Fees

 

The average cost of tuition for full-time undergraduate students is $21,900 for 12 to 18.5 credit hours. For part-time UG students, it is $1,300 per credit. On the other hand, the average tuition fee for graduate programmes is calculated per credit. Some of the most popular courses, with their respective Hood College fees per year, are listed below -

 

  • MBA - $18,750
  • MS Bioinformatics - $17,100
  • MS Computer Science - $17,100
  • Bachelor of Arts - $20,230
  • Bachelor of Science - $20,230
  • Master of Arts (Humanities) - $14,700

 

Placements

According to the revealed data, 55% of graduates were engaged in experiential education in the last academic year. On the other hand, more than 750 students sought and benefitted from the individual career counselling provided by the college. The Career Centre here facilitates students in achieving the best Hood College placements. They help students to build effective resumes and acquire the best volunteering opportunities, internships, and jobs. With the help of platforms like Handshake, or the Alumni networking platform Alumnifire, the team at the Career Centre ensures each student is introduced to the best of opportunities. Students can conveniently kick-start their job search with their extensive job search strategies and tools.

Scholarship

Hood College offers a large number of scholarships and grants to students based on their academic performance, merit and financial needs. Although these scholarships are easy to acquire, they usually have strenuous eligibility criteria. Students must fulfil each of the individual requirements to apply for any of these. Some of the top scholarships and grants available for students are mentioned below -


 

Scholarships

Amount (per year)

Free Application for Federal Student Aid Grant

NA

Grants under the Fulbright US Student Programme

NA

Trustee Scholarship

$30,000

Presidential Scholarship

$28,000

Dean Scholarship

$24,000

Leadership Award

$20,000

Achievement Award

$15,000


 

These are a select few of the most helpful scholarships or grants. Navigating through the lengthy list of available financial aid can be tiresome. To make it easier, students can apply for scholarships to study at Hood College through UniScholars. At UniScholars, students can choose from over 1500+ scholarships, grants, and bursaries by comparing them all in one place. This way, students can get a headstart by saving time and effort.

Finances

Despite a wide range of available scholarships and grants, they are limited in number and difficult to acquire. The tedious stringent process of applying for a scholarship can often result in a waste of time and resources. At such times, opting for a loan is wise. Under the Federal Direct Loan Programme, students can acquire loans through the college authorities at low-interest rates, where the Department of Education acts as the guarantor. For parents, Direct PLUS loans are a great way to aid the cost of tuition. Otherwise, students can opt for private education loans or student maintenance loans depending on suitable interest rates and repayment schedules.

 

Students can utilise the services provided by UniCreds for attractive interest rates and free consultation services. A reliable and convenient platform, students can avail of various services to calculate their EMI, eligibility and even repayment schedules. Transparency, flexible collateral, tax benefits and 24-hour expert support are the key driving factors at UniCreds.

Accommodation

Several housing options arranged by the college are available for students on campus. New students are usually assigned roommates based on a lifestyle questionnaire to pair similar people. Additionally, students who need specific housing based on medical, psychological or temporary disability factors, religion, culture and ethnicity, and gender are encouraged to contact the concerned departments for a comfortable living environment. Students must apply for on-campus housing through a request form within the stipulated dates. Although on-campus accommodation saves the time and cost of commute, it is often expensive and needs a stringent application process. At such times, considering off-campus housing is wise. 

 

UniAcco offers students several types of housing like luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments near the college campus so students can choose from affordable and convenient living options. Not only is the process easy to complete, but UniAcco also ensures that students get the best accommodation according to their needs and finances.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is another crucial aspect that comes into the picture when moving to a different place. While tuition fees contribute heavily, other aspects, like housing, food, groceries and commute, also amount to the average living expenditure. Students can make use of several student discounts and compensations using their college ID in various places like restaurants, shops, cafes, pubs, and public transport. The annual cost of living in Frederick, Maryland, is $25,908. A division of how each expenditure amounts to this total is elaborated in the table below.


 

Particulars

Cost (Monthly)

Off-Campus Accommodation 

$978

On-Campus Accommodation

$647

Transportation

$35

Food Cost

$600

Utility Cost

$300

Entertainment

$59

Groceries

$40

Clothes

$67

Health Insurance

$80

Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation 

$2,159

Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation 

$1,828

Annual Cost of Living

$25,908

FAQs