Hope is a great place for students who are committed to being involved in their education and getting the most out of the college experiences Hope has to offer. It really does feel like friends and faculty are there to support you and help you get everything you could possibly want out of your time at Hope. For every stereotypical event, tradition, or group of people, there are at least three opposites available so you can always find what fits best.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Get a box fan, sign up for every club's mailing list you want, and say 'HI' to everyone you see. Come to Hope ready to experience all that you think you'll experience, plus some more that you never would have expected. You can really get a whole lot out of your first year if you are actively engaged in the campus.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Hope is very academically rigorous, in every subject from Chemistry to Music to Accounting. The professors are excellent and involved in your success, and if they aren't they are receptive to the student evaluations. There is rarely busy-work and usually really meaningful, interesting, and valuable assignment. It is the perfect place to be a well-rounded student. Some of the required courses are pretty tedious, like FYS, but there are so many good classes that it is all worthwhile.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm Life at Hope is excellent. There are lots of activities, and they generally chose really good RA's and RD's. The residence halls are in the process of being renovated, so most of them all have new furniture and aren't old and worn. The rooms are small to medium, and they are all very close to the dining halls and center of campus. There is quite a variety of living locations- apartments, suites, cottages, and traditional dorms.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Phelps dining hall, despite what they say, is not so bad. You have to get creative sometimes, but there are so many options that it is hard to get bored or go hungry. The Kletz is expensive and has strange hours sometimes, but has decent fast food and snacks when you need them. The two coffee shops on campus are pretty great and fun to study in.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Hope has lots of events and activities- from movies to concerts to game nights. There are also a few coffee shops around where live music is frequent. You can also go to the beach or Grand Rapids if you've got a friend with a car. However, most businesses and restaurants in town close early and aren't open on Sundays, so making your own fun is a plus.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Hope is getting fairly expensive, but there are lots of scholarships they offer. Plenty of people attending do not pay the sticker price due to loans, scholarships, and grants. The faculty is outstanding and there are so many research opportunities available, which is indispensable.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Hope has an incredbly rich history-and they are always mentioning it. The Pull and Nykerk are some of the oldest school traditions in the country, and they are excellent ways for new students to form a group of friends and partake in such an ancient ritual. It is also lots of fun. Some of the buildings are quirky, Downtown Holland is a block away, and there is plenty of room to bring your blanket and computer outside to study.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
If you are a minority, and by that I mean not a White Upper-Middle Class Christian, you have to make an effort to find people to relate to. There are plenty of people in this 'minority,' but arriving on campus can be pretty daunting in its homogeneity. Everyone at Hope is very intelligent, active, and encouraging.
In terms of religion at Hope, you can take it as far as you personally want. There are plenty of people for whom Chapel and Bible Study are of the utmost importance, and there are others who couldn't care less. You can easily get into an uplifting and valuable discussion, and people are generally incredibly respectful of all religious views.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Hope has tons of clubs, but not as many as some schools. The administration leans on the conservative side when looking at new club proposals-they don't seem to want to deal with too many different budgets. There are also tons of fun things to do with the Student Activities Committee and other groups. It is also very easy to get involved in any groups- they are always looking for new people.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Hope is a place where you can flourish in or out of Greek Life. There are some groups who party a lot, but others who lend all the support and friendship you could want. Surprisingly, there isn't much tension between Greek Lifers and the rest of the students.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Hope feels very safe. Despite what people may say about some of the surrounding neighborhoods, I feel safe walking from cottage to cottage at night. Plus, Campus Safety is always willing and available to help out.
Hope is a great place for students who are committed to being involved in their education and getting the most out of the college experiences Hope has to offer. It really does feel like friends and faculty are there to support you and help you get everything you could possibly want out of your time at Hope. For every stereotypical event, tradition, or group of people, there are at least three opposites available so you can always find what fits best.
Get a box fan, sign up for every club's mailing list you want, and say 'HI' to everyone you see. Come to Hope ready to experience all that you think you'll experience, plus some more that you never would have expected. You can really get a whole lot out of your first year if you are actively engaged in the campus.
Hope is very academically rigorous, in every subject from Chemistry to Music to Accounting. The professors are excellent and involved in your success, and if they aren't they are receptive to the student evaluations. There is rarely busy-work and usually really meaningful, interesting, and valuable assignment. It is the perfect place to be a well-rounded student. Some of the required courses are pretty tedious, like FYS, but there are so many good classes that it is all worthwhile.
Dorm Life at Hope is excellent. There are lots of activities, and they generally chose really good RA's and RD's. The residence halls are in the process of being renovated, so most of them all have new furniture and aren't old and worn. The rooms are small to medium, and they are all very close to the dining halls and center of campus. There is quite a variety of living locations- apartments, suites, cottages, and traditional dorms.
Phelps dining hall, despite what they say, is not so bad. You have to get creative sometimes, but there are so many options that it is hard to get bored or go hungry. The Kletz is expensive and has strange hours sometimes, but has decent fast food and snacks when you need them. The two coffee shops on campus are pretty great and fun to study in.
Hope has lots of events and activities- from movies to concerts to game nights. There are also a few coffee shops around where live music is frequent. You can also go to the beach or Grand Rapids if you've got a friend with a car. However, most businesses and restaurants in town close early and aren't open on Sundays, so making your own fun is a plus.
Hope is getting fairly expensive, but there are lots of scholarships they offer. Plenty of people attending do not pay the sticker price due to loans, scholarships, and grants. The faculty is outstanding and there are so many research opportunities available, which is indispensable.
Hope has an incredbly rich history-and they are always mentioning it. The Pull and Nykerk are some of the oldest school traditions in the country, and they are excellent ways for new students to form a group of friends and partake in such an ancient ritual. It is also lots of fun. Some of the buildings are quirky, Downtown Holland is a block away, and there is plenty of room to bring your blanket and computer outside to study.
If you are a minority, and by that I mean not a White Upper-Middle Class Christian, you have to make an effort to find people to relate to. There are plenty of people in this 'minority,' but arriving on campus can be pretty daunting in its homogeneity. Everyone at Hope is very intelligent, active, and encouraging. In terms of religion at Hope, you can take it as far as you personally want. There are plenty of people for whom Chapel and Bible Study are of the utmost importance, and there are others who couldn't care less. You can easily get into an uplifting and valuable discussion, and people are generally incredibly respectful of all religious views.
Hope has tons of clubs, but not as many as some schools. The administration leans on the conservative side when looking at new club proposals-they don't seem to want to deal with too many different budgets. There are also tons of fun things to do with the Student Activities Committee and other groups. It is also very easy to get involved in any groups- they are always looking for new people.
Hope is a place where you can flourish in or out of Greek Life. There are some groups who party a lot, but others who lend all the support and friendship you could want. Surprisingly, there isn't much tension between Greek Lifers and the rest of the students.
Hope feels very safe. Despite what people may say about some of the surrounding neighborhoods, I feel safe walking from cottage to cottage at night. Plus, Campus Safety is always willing and available to help out.