Why Hope College?

With the end of the school year and as a rising senior, I find myself reflecting on my time at Hope College so far. With close friends graduating, I find myself pondering how soon that will be me. As I transition into preparing for the next semester, I wonder what makes Hope the place that it is. Why Hope? 

Faith Foundation & Formation 

The foundation of Hope College is rooted in its Christian heritage beginning more than 150 years ago. Among Hope’s vision statements for its mission, it strives “to be a leading Christian college, ecumenical in character and rooted in the Reformed tradition” and to “promote faithful leadership and grateful service as manifestations of Christian commitment.” As such, the College provides multiple ways to receive faith formation both as a student and as an individual. For example, Christian concepts are discussed in classrooms even beyond a traditional religion course context. Additionally, the campus ministries office provides opportunities including bible study groups, immersion trips, and 3x weekly Chapel worship series. Opportunities for Catholic students are also available through the St. Benedictine Institute including Genesis and Exodus 90, daily masses, and a lecture series. All are invited to enter into the faith community at Hope, no matter one’s religion, including people who do not practice a religion at all.

Liberal Arts Education

Another key characteristic of Hope’s fabric is its commitment to the liberal arts. Hope’s mission statement reads, “The mission of Hope College is to educate students for lives of leadership and service in a global society through academic and co-curricular programs of recognized excellence in the liberal arts and in the context of the historic Christian faith.”

Supported by a multidisciplinary approach, the College strives to holistically form students into well-rounded future leaders – academically, spiritually, and socially. As such, students receive a breadth of classes through the general education program. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in diverse programs outside of the classroom across multiple disciplines. 

Caring Community

Additionally, Hope College would not be the place that it is without its people. Being surrounded by students, faculty, and staff who care about each individual and the mission of the school, enables a culture in which support, goodness, and virtue flourish. The character of the College provides deep richness and formation for students. Within the classroom, students are more than just a number among many in the room. Professors assist students and become life-long mentors. Peers collaborate and connect with each other, becoming friends beyond college.

I am grateful to be a part of this caring community.

Liberal Arts at Hope

I didn’t choose Hope because it’s a liberal arts school– in fact, I didn’t really know what liberal arts meant at first. Now, as a sophomore (almost junior!) it’s so easy to see the benefits of such an education in my life.

The liberal arts curriculum at Hope requires a number of general education courses to be taken by students, including credits of art, history, philosophy, and science (among others).

The liberal arts curriculum also allows me to have two majors and two minors, while still having space to study abroad or graduate early if I choose.

This semester especially, I’ve loved my classes. A good amount of them are things I wouldn’t necessarily have had space for in my schedule without the liberal arts requirements that make them more of a priority. I’m taking a philosophy-based English class that lets us analyze texts of our choosing (anything from books to popular tv shows to Taylor Swift songs) with critical lenses. I’m also taking a Spanish class where we have the opportunity to volunteer at a local nonprofit and use our Spanish with native speakers every single week.

at my Spanish class placement!

For art credit this semester, I’m also taking a creative writing class. It has grown to be one of the classes I look forward to most each week. Being able to use my brain to write poetry and prose has been such an amazing outlet. As a kid, I was constantly writing stories, and being in this class has allowed me to come back to that. I’ve also loved meeting people from all different disciplines, and reading their stories or poetry. We share and offer feedback to one another on a regular basis. It’s been a beautiful thing to connect with people from across campus, reading their work and understanding more about their worlds.

Maybe your childhood passion was a certain instrument, you always wanted to learn a language, or you’re a humanities major wishing for one more math class. The liberal arts education makes all of these things possible for students, stretching us and helping us become global citizens as we engage with students and fields outside of our “normal.”

Hopeful Faith

College is a busy time. You are constantly running to class, work, events, extracurriculars, etc. So when is there time for your faith? You can find the time, it just takes a little intentionality.

I grew up in a very Christian household and when I came to college I wanted to deepen my own personal relationship with God. I wanted to meet people who believed what I believe, but I also wanted to put myself out there and meet people who don’t. So, I joined a bible study my freshman year to make new friends. Which worked. I found people at the same faith stage I was at, and I met people who were at other stages. I was able to find comfort in this. There were people from all different stages of faith and belief that allowed me to learn from others and grow.

After my freshman year, I fell away from my practices. I got distracted by school and everything else I was trying to balance. It took recognizing what was happening and taking note of where I wanted to grow to bring me back. I started going to church again but struggled with pressuring myself to do more. It started to weigh on me. I thought I wasn’t doing as good as I should. Part of me believed that I needed to do more: journal every day, read my bible every day, pray all the time, constantly be grateful, etc. It became too much.

So, I had to step back. I picked a couple things instead of everything. Choosing to begin journaling was the best choice I made. I found that I began to write down whenever I was grateful or whenever good things happened. When I wrote about things that bothered me or if I was having a bad day, I could analyze why I felt that way. This gave me the ability to process my emotions. But, by focusing on what I was grateful for and processing my emotions I was starting to be happier. I could find the positives in life.

From here, after I developed a habit, I focused on something else. Which for me, was prayer. I didn’t get down if I forgot to pray at every meal. But, I tried. Which took so much pressure off of me. I began to deepen my relationship with God because I was finding joy in the relationship. The pressure was off.

Hope helped this. There were professors who gave me advice on finding peace. I found inspiration in professors who were strong in their faith and I could see it come through in their language and respect for others. I also saw God in so many peers. Junior year I took a mission trip. One of the best decisions of my life. I met so many people, had so many experiences, and explored my own faith with the help of those who were further in faith than I was.

Community and self-regulation are so helpful in growing in faith. There are opportunities at Hope to help grow your faith.

Student Life at Hope!

My expectations about college life were shaped by what I saw on the tv show Gilmore Girls… Rory consistently spent her free time back at home in Stars Hollow. Before college, friends warned me that small schools are often “suitcase schools,” where every student packs up and goes home over the weekend. Since I wasn’t planning on doing this, I was scared that college would be lonely. Luckily, Hope doesn’t fit the suitcase stereotype. I’ve found there’s always people around, and always something to do. If you don’t know where to start, let’s talk about a few ways you could get involved with student life here.

I think that the living community is a great place to start. First year students will have an RA and an RD that have been hired due to their leadership and mentoring capacities. They put on events such as Procrastination Pancakes or Bachelor Watch Parties to build community and create a safe home base for residents. Campus life starts within your hall, and it’s a great place to meet some friendly faces.

Hope has a group called the Student Activities Committee that consistently organizes events for students. There are so many fun events that SAC has put on this year alone. In early fall, for example, Jordy Searcy (a popular singer/songwriter) came to campus with SAC and put on a concert in Dimnent Chapel. SAC also does annual events like Silent Disco, Fall Fest, and Spring Fling.

Jordy Searcy concert!

There’s also plenty of groups that students can get involved with at Hope. Things like intramural sports, the Pull, Nykerk, Dance Marathon, or Greek Life often yield community for students. Joining a Bible Study and going on an immersion trip are two of the ways that I’ve loved spending time and meeting people here at Hope.

Student life at Hope is multifaceted, but there’s truly so many opportunities to get involved and find your people. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, to try something new, or to go to an event alone– you’ll be surprised what can happen!

Transformed by Hope

At Hope, you’ll often hear about how being here has changed people’s lives. While it’s become a bit of a cliche at this point, that’s because it’s true. You would be hard-pressed to find someone here who hasn’t experienced the aptly named Hope difference, and I am no exception. Here are just a few of the ways that I have been transformed by Hope. 

Academics

Coming to Hope, I didn’t expect to become someone who could hammer out a three page paper in an evening. Essay writing had always been a struggle for me in high school. Plus, since I’m a computer science major, I wasn’t exactly banking on getting much practice. This notion only solidified for me when I cried over my final paper for American Politics in the fall semester of my freshman year because I thought it was the worst thing I’ve ever written. But throughout my time at Hope, it’s only gotten easier. In fact, it’s gotten easy enough that I decided to tack on a major in philosophy, which notoriously requires a lot of writing. This is just one example of an experience that many have had at Hope. You achieve things you never thought were possible. 

Faith 

You may think that it’s obvious that a Christian college would inspire you to grow in your faith. Although I did anticipate that happening, what I didn’t expect was how much I’ve been encouraged to question my preconceived notions of what it means to be Christian. While Hope itself is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, all sorts of different backgrounds and perspectives are welcomed and encouraged here. For example, Hope regularly hosts talks sponsored by the Saint Benedict Institute, which is a Catholic organization founded and run by Hope faculty and the local Catholic parish. These talks and many others hosted by different organizations are emblematic of Hope’s culture of asking questions and going deeper into matters of faith. 

Friendship 

In my mind, what really makes Hope what it is are the friends you make while you’re here. They’re the people who have been at my side when I’m asking those big questions about faith or freaking out about another paper. I first found this incredible community when I was a Phelps Scholar, which is a program for freshmen that explores issues of diversity. Talking with my friends in the program was always a wild ride. Sometimes we would have the most profound conversation of our life, sometimes we would crack up over a lame joke, and sometimes we would do both in the span of five minutes. This strong community is what has allowed me to experience Hope’s transformative effect the most. While we find ourselves being changed at Hope, what really changes us the most is each other. 

The prospect of being transformed may sound daunting, which I totally understand. So much is already happening in college, and having your life changed feels like a lot to handle. But in my experience, it happens when you least expect it. There have been so many times where I’ve been caught off guard by a moment being unexpectedly profound, and these moments are only made possible by being at Hope. If you’re looking to be transformed by Hope, my only advice is to buckle up and get ready for a wild and wonderful ride, because my experience has been nothing short of that. 

DR 2024: My Experience on an Immersion Trip

Immersion trips are one of my favorite opportunities at Hope. Students can sign up with Campus Ministries and travel on weeklong trips over spring break where they are able to be immersed in a new culture, have their worldviews expanded, serve in new ways, and build community with one another.

In my freshman year, I was blessed to travel to Nashville and learn about people experiencing homelessness over spring break. This past week, I went on an immersion trip to the Dominican Republic. My experience was so different from my time in Nashville, yet still so very beautiful.

Last year, a close friend and I signed up for Nashville together. We didn’t know anyone else going into the week, so we leaned on each other a lot through that experience. This year, I signed up for the DR trip by myself. I was so nervous to travel out of the country with 20 students I didn’t know, but I’m so glad I pushed myself to do it. Going out of my comfort zone led me to meet so many amazing, Christ-like people from Hope from all different years, majors, and backgrounds. These are connections that I hope and expect will only continue building now that we’re back on campus.

Every immersion trip has a different focus. In the Dominican Republic, we spent the majority of our week building a chapel for a community that had requested it. Personally, I’ve never done anything construction-related before. The nature of this project as a whole really challenged me and pushed me to depend on God– because in my weakness, He is strong. It was so cool to be the hands and feet of Christ in this new way.

Our team and the chapel we built!

We also had the opportunity to engage with the families that lived in the village where we built the chapel. The pastor, missionaries, and church congregation are some of the most joyful and generous people I have ever met. Their demeanors and the way they reflect Christ’s love is something that has stayed on my mind since being back in the states.

We truly had a beautiful week of worship, testimonies, dependance and serving in the Dominican Republic. I’m so thankful that Hope and Campus Ministries have opportunities like immersion trips that make perspective-broadening experiences attainable for college students. Signing up for any immersion trip is an experience I truly couldn’t recommend more. I truly can’t wait to see where God takes me next spring break, whether that’s back to Nashville or DR, or maybe somewhere new altogether…

“Hope”ful Living

Spring is in the air, birds are singing, the sun is shining, and there are scattered showers. Along with this beautiful weather there are so many exciting ways to “live it up” at Hope. Whether you are an incoming freshman or a graduating senior, you want to enjoy your college experience. Here at Hope, you will never be bored.

Spring Exclusives

To begin, Spring Fling! The obvious option. Coming soon on the last Friday of the academic year. There are always inflatables, live music, a mechanical bull and food! There are also free t-shirts — no one can turn down a free shirt! You will enjoy the weather with your fellow peers while snacking on good food and playing yard games.

Every year my friends and I make a bee-line for the spike ball nets. We play for a few hours rotating who is eating and who is playing. Even if it’s not sunny and overwhelmingly warm, we make the most of it. Spring Fling is an on-campus break from homework and the upcoming dread of finals week.

There is usually something to enjoy in the Pine Grove during the warm weather seasons. Bring your own hammock and sway in the breeze, bring a blanket and take a nap in the sun, or follow SAC on Instagram to keep up with Student Activities!

Staying Inside

If you aren’t the outdoorsy type, or if the weather is just not preferable, there is always something to do inside! Sometimes SAC offers crafts or DIY projects to get involved in.

My friends and I usually keep an eye out for any of SAC’s or the Gardening Club’s potting events. I have several pots that I have painted, or drawn, on over the years.

I also attend the holiday events. From listening to Christmas music and decorating cards to listening to sappy love songs and making bracelets, the holiday-themed events are always a blast.

What to Watch

There are performances throughout the semester that are open for students to enjoy. Theater performances created by students or professors, ballet recitals, improv nights, and more! I have attended a little bit of each. The Vanderprov group performs at least once a month. They never fail to bring laughs and relaxation to the students who attend. The performances usually guarantee a break from the stressors that school can bring.

There are dance companies that perform throughout the year. Usually, throughout the year, there are two student-choreographed dance concerts, the annual department dance concert, many dance companies and even dance clubs if you are interested!

Then, don’t forget about the theater program here at Hope! There is usually something happening in theater. Many performances get put on at Hope throughout the year, some are even written by students! You aren’t going to want to miss these beautiful performances.

Are You Bored Yet?

So as you can see, there is always something to do. Student life is always buzzing here at Hope. There is a strong focus on community and creating a “home away from home” for all students. Everyone is welcome to fend off boredom on campus.

Keeping up with the Coursework

Academics and coursework at Hope College can be overwhelming at times. So much to do and so little time. There can be many doubts: am I going to have enough time? Are my professors going to be helpful? Is there help that I can get? Let me reassure you; you will be okay. Hope College offers so many resources to be the most successful you can be in your academics here. From tutoring to office hours there are so many opportunities and sources of support for you.

Overall Coursework Management

In general, there is a need to stay somewhat organized. Hope has all different kinds of events and meetings that are open to students. This being the case there are plenty that professors require students to attend for a course. Because of this requirement, you need to make sure you know your homework and expectations. This will help you ensure you can attend anything your professors throw at you.

I, being an English major and Art minor, have had to attend a variety of meetings, presentations, readings, and events. If I had avoided organizing my time and arranging the proper amounts of minutes to complete different assignments I would have sat through these required events with extreme anxiety. I would have feared the lack of time to fully complete my assignments. My freshman year I took for granted the fact that everything was online. I would attend required Zoom meetings and do homework in the background. So, when Sophomore year rolled around, and some events were now being done in person, I struggled.

I had stopped managing my time and assignments, which left me sitting nervously in talks and events because all I could think of was everything I needed to be done. When I finally got around to managing my time and keeping proper track of my assignments it was laughable the amount of relief I had. I stopped losing track of due dates and started getting homework done early! It can be overwhelming, but managing your coursework can be pretty stress-relieving.

Getting Help

Help is always available at Hope. Your advisor is always available to go over your schedule with you and discuss course difficulties. CAPS is available to have someone to talk to and find support in. There are several tutoring options, from the Writing Center to the Academics Success Center. Both are available most of the week and their hours are listed online.

These are people and sources set up for your success. They can cover a variety of majors and topics so you don’t feel like there is no one to help you who would understand. The Writing Center, for example, is run by student tutors who are trained in various forms of writing and various forms of courses. The students have been where you are, have written or heard of the assignments you are stuck on. They really can relate.

I have found comfort in the tutoring options at Hope. I haven’t entirely used them to their full capacity, but getting to know what they are all about has led to some relaxation. There is always someone available to help me. I am not stuck on my own.

Don’t be Silent

If you are struggling in your academics or don’t know where to begin, don’t keep that to yourself. There are people who understand or who are willing to listen and help you. Hope College has set up their academics to accommodate students no matter what they need or who they are.

Here at Hope you aren’t alone. Don’t struggle by yourself. Find someone to rely on.

A School Day in the Life at Hope College

Every day at Hope looks different for me, but I try to maintain a semblance of routine and productivity throughout. Let’s walk through what my day last Thursday looked like– a combination of class, work, social time, homework, and self care.

9:00 AM-11:00 AM

My morning starts every day at about 8:30 or 9:30, but I like to wake up before that to ease myself into the day. This day, I had a meeting with a professor and a group project member at 9:00, then went straight to Health Communications class from 9:30 to 10:50.

11:00 AM-12:30 PM

After class, I went to work at my on-campus job in Campus Print and Mail. I love working because it’s a good opportunity to productively disconnect from any academic stress. Every shift looks different, but usually involves receiving and sending packages, helping students, and doing homework if we have down time.

12:30 PM-1:30 PM

After work, I got lunch in Phelps with a friend from my immersion trip last year. Then, we ran to Lemonjello’s downtown to get some coffee before I had class. This was a good time to disconnect from academics before continuing on in my day.

1:30 PM-4:00 PM

At 1:30, I had my second class of the day, a philosophy gen ed. We talked about the representation of disability in literature. After class, I had a second group project meeting where we finished up a paper.

4:00 PM-4:45 PM

To disconnect from school for a bit, I went on a run downtown in the late afternoon. Running is a hobby I’ve really picked up this year, and I love it so much. It’s been an amazing way for me to disconnect from stress and take care of myself, while also getting outside and moving my body.

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

After my run, I went with a friend to our Spanish class placement. We volunteer at a nonprofit called Community Action House where we have the opportunity to both serve the Holland community and practice our Spanish. This has become a staple every week and I’ve really enjoyed engaging with Holland in a new way.

7:00 PM-10:00 PM

After coming back to campus and eating dinner, I headed to Campus Ministries– one of my favorite places to get work done. From 7 to 10, I sat with some friends and worked on a few assignments.

10:00 PM-10:30PM

At 10:00, a friend and I went on a study-break donut run. This certainly doesn’t happen every night– it was my first donut run of the semester. It was just what I needed to augment my studying, though. We walked to Good Time Donuts (a Hope College staple that’s open 24 hours!) and got a donut to share, then headed back to Campus Ministries.

my very first donut run, above, was during orientation my freshman year.

10:30PM – 11:45PM

After our donut run, I finished up a little more homework at Campus Ministries, and then headed to my room and went to bed.

Every single day at Hope is definitely not quite as packed as this one was. Even when things are busy, I do my best to find moments of joy and connection throughout the day. On Thursday, I found those moments off campus at LJ’s and Community Action House, going on a donut run, and just studying and getting meals with friends. As the semester wraps up, I know these are the moments I’ll look back on.

A student’s advice for exploring scholarships at Hope

Why did you choose Hope College? This is a common question that most students on campus have previously answered. While many answers range from the liberal arts education to the student involvement opportunities available to the beauty of the Holland community and everything in between, I have also consistently heard a seemingly more practical answer: financial aid and scholarships. For me, I have a similar response. 

While it’s no secret that Hope College (similar to other private colleges and universities) can be costlier for students and families, the College also seeks to make a Hope education more accessible by providing generous support and scholarship packages. 

As listed on Hope’s website, there are several academic award packages available to students: National Merit Scholarship ($24,000 per year), Trustee Scholarship ($24,000 per year), Presidential Scholarship ($15,000 per year and up), Distinguished Scholar ($13,000 per year), Alumni Honors Scholarship ($11,000 per year), and Anchor Award ($7,500 per year). While each of these includes its own set of criteria and standards, they offer opportunities for students to receive financial support for their work in the classroom. Donors also fund scholarships for packages awarded to students within their respective majors and minors. While these may or may not be awarded to first-year students, the opportunities are there as students progress throughout their college careers. 

In addition to academic achievement awards, Hope offers scholarships through what they call “Distinguished Artist Awards,” which provide fine arts awards in the following areas: creative writing, dance, music, theater, and visual arts.

A more recent initiative is Hope Forward – a plan to provide fully-funded tuition at Hope College that is rooted in generosity and gratitude. Currently funded by the generosity of donors, the idea is that awarded students will pay-it-forward out of gratitude after graduation and continue funding other students. This program was spearheaded under the vision of Hope College President Matt Scogin, who seeks to underscore the College’s mission statement and its Christian roots through this distinctive stewardship of resources. This seemingly revolutionary model was even featured on the podcast of five-time New York Times Bestselling author, Malcom Gladwell, who visited Hope’s campus last Spring. 

Aside from these, there are many additional ways to pursue financial support for attending Hope from organizations outside of the college. Hope’s Financial Aid Office website is a great resource for external scholarship opportunities for students who have completed their Federal Student Aid (FASFA). 

While the cost of tuition can feel overwhelming for students and families, it’s important to consider there are supportive resources available. I have outlined only some of the options available and I encourage prospective students and families to speak with their admissions rep and the Financial Aid Office about their specific circumstances and to learn more about the many resources available to them.