In its first year participating, Abilene Christian University topped the list of colleges its size in the Declaration Days contest sponsored by Top of the World. More high school seniors declared ACU as their college choice during the month of April than any other school participating in the Top of the World competition, beating out last year’s winner, McNeese State University.

Declaration Days is a sponsored scholarship program for all licensee universities of Top of the World, the leading collegiate headwear supplier in the U.S. The competition aligns with National College Decision Day, May 1, as students select their college during the month of April. Prospective students “declare” their allegiance to a university by sharing social media assets and using certain hashtags. The colleges with the most declared students win swag bags and free merchandise, but the ultimate prize for students is scholarship money: students who declare can win a $5,000, $1,000 or $500 scholarship.

Colleges are separated into two categories based on undergraduate student body size: Enrollment Greater than 3,500 and Enrollment Less than 3,500. ACU competed in the latter category; The University of Alabama won in the Greater than 3,500 category.

ACU also chose to give five additional $500 Study Abroad scholarships to declared students.

— Wendy Kilmer

May 11, 2021