Reviews

The academics at Hope are outstanding. Yes, that means the classes can be difficult and a lot of work, but the professors are all excellent; supportive, encouraging, and willing to help you out at virtually any time. They genuinely want you to succeed, and will give you any help you might need. Even in some of my largest classes the professors knew everyone's name.

Hope has been everything I hoped for in a college, and more. I sensed from my first visit there that this was THE college for me, and I have not regretted my decision for a second. The people at Hope are wonderful; besides great relationships with my professors, I have become close friends with many of my fellow students. There's almost always something fun and exciting going on, either on campus or in the Holland community. Hope has a number of great traditions as well, like the Pull, the Nykerk Cup, and Dance Marathon. My favorite events are the monthly shows performed by Vanderprov, an improv comedy group made up of Hope Students.

It's true, Hope is expensive, but that's going to be true of any private college. Hope is actually considerably cheaper than well-known schools like Harvard and Princeton, and academically it's just as solid. Hope is especially strong in the sciences; their chemistry program is one of the best in the country. (For example, Sylvia T. Ceyer, the chair of the chemistry department at MIT, is a Hope graduate.) However, what really makes Hope stand out academically is its undergraduate research program, which is one of the very best in the country. It's very easy to get involved in research with a professor, either as a volunteer or through Hope's summer research program. And besides being a terrific school academically, Hope is also a great place to live. It's an easy walk to charming downtown Holland, and the beach isn't too far from campus either.

Come prepared to work hard, but know that you're going to have a lot of fun as well. If you're interested in research, make sure you talk to your professors about it; sometimes all you need to do to get into a research lab is ask.

Anyone interested in science, especially if they want to go on to graduate school.
Self-motivated people with a good work ethic.
Outgoing, friendly people who love to make new friends
Intelligent students who enjoy being challenged academically.

The professors here always offer office hours and are willing to help you in anyway possible. I feel like I'm constantly challenged and involved in my classes

The atmosphere at Hope is amazing, and people are consistently nice and supportive. There are many well rounded activities for any individual to become involved in. Also, there is a great balance of social life and academics.

Although Hope is very expensive, being a private school, they are usually very good about working with financial situations. This was the most expensive option for me, but I don't regret one day spent on campus.

Make sure you spend the night and attend classes to see if this is the right fit for you.
Talk to students in your similar interests and they can relate their personal opinion on the topic rather than the advisers or professors, although they give great insight too.

Outgoing
Studious
Friendly
Christian

The professors at Hope do their best to do whatever they can for the students. Teaching is really their passion and they work hard to take time for each individual student. The education at Hope is a good one, the classes and professors challenge each student individually and strive to see each and every student succeed. Every professor tries to arrange times for any student that needs help to get it either from them personally or a knowledgeable student in the area. To graduate from Hope, you are really going to have to work and learn a lot.

The community here at Hope is a great one. There are so many things to do and be a part of. At the beginning of the year there is an activities fair. Every single club or student union has a booth set up for students to come and sign up for information and to be a part of them. Hope does a great job in trying to get as many people actively involved in the community as possible. Hope puts good use to the money you pay by providing a great gym and indoor pool, weekly shows by lots of different people, and great rivalry basketball games. Downtown Holland is only a block away from campus, enabling students to take trips to the stores and restaurants of downtown. I have so much enjoyed my time here at Hope so far and am sure that anyone else will also.

Just like any other private college, Hope does require a good deal of money to attend. However, they are very helpful in providing financial aid for those students that truly need it and are willing to help as much as possible. The undergrad programs that Hope has are all great and some of the best around. Hope is one of the only private schools that offer dance as a major, and have a great and heavy dance program. Apart from that, they also have great science and pre-med programs. All of the professors at Hope are very qualified in their fields. Most professors have written their own books. Professor Matt DeJongh received the Fulbright and National Science Foundation awards for some of his bioinformatic research.

Just like any other private college, Hope does require a good deal of money to attend. However, they are very helpful in providing financial aid for those students that truly need it and are willing to help as much as possible. The undergrad programs that Hope has are all great and some of the best around. Hope is one of the only private schools that offer dance as a major, and have a great and heavy dance program. Apart from that, they also have great science and pre-med programs. All of the professors at Hope are very qualified in their fields. Most professors have written their own books. Professor Matt DeJongh received the Fulbright and National Science Foundation awards for some of his bioinformatic research.

Hope is a great place for just about any type of student. The professors are all great and open minded to listening to new ideas and views. Anyone with a good attitude and prepared for getting a great education and having fun while doing it should come to Hope. Hope is also a great place for anybody who doesn't want to go to school in the middle of nowhere, downtown is just a block away and there are lots of places to go close.

The academics at Hope College are demanding, but well worth the time studying. Each professor takes his or her time to make sure all students are understanding the concepts of the class.

I love the christian atmosphere at Hope. What made me choose Hope was how genuinely nice and happy all the students, professors, and staff were at Hope. Between the Hope College Basketball games and Movies on campus, there is always something to do on the weekends. There are also many clubs and events to get involved with.

Hope is a rather expensive school seeing as it is a private institution, but it is well worth it. Each professor makes a point to meet his or her students, and get to know them on a more casual level. The class sizes are small, which make for easy classroom learning and a nice environment.

I would definitely consider Hope College if you like the home town setting of a town. Holland is a beautiful city, with a wonderful downtown which is only about a 4 minute walk from campus. Hope is a rather small school, which makes it easier to get to know people, and faculty.

Hope is great for religious students. But not necessarily. Yes, we do have chapel on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but it is by no means required, nor do all students participate. If you are looking for a smaller school, with amazing academic and undergraduate research programs, this is the place for you!

Professors constantly encourage students to think deeply and investigate fields in areas outside their primary interest.

Hope has brought out the best in me. I've made many new friends and feel that I have a real connection with my classmates and professors.

Hope provides so many student support services that it is well worth the expense. It offers a first class education tailored to meet the individual needs of the student. The financial aid available makes the price competitive with that of many state universities.

Visit the school at least twice. Spend a day exploring the campus and talking to professors in your fields of interest. Take a walk through down town Holland.

Outgoing/Reserved
Athletes/ Nonathletic
Christian/Non-christian
Studious and Fun-loving....most of all Willing to Learn.

There's a lot of interaction between you and the professor.

Hope has such a great atmosphere! I didn't even want to come home this summer!

Hope's small size helps you meet new people who'll be your friends for life.

Hope is great for students who want a small school and hands-on experience. It's also great if you want to have one-on-one time with your professor.

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.

I am finally get to learn about topics that will impact me today. Inside and outside of class there are opportunities for me to learn.

I love the campus it is very beautiful. Hope is not too far from Lake Michigan, which is gorgeous. I am on the cross country team and love it when our workouts would end at the beach.

I am not sure how I will be paying for this education but believe God has it all under control. There is helpful scholarships but they don't cover May terms and Summer classes.

Bring warm clothes, Michigan gets cold quick! Also, get involved there are so many events going on, and lectures outside of class that are really impressive. It may seem weird to go to educational events, but they are totally worth it.

Students who want a broad range education in a small friendly community.

Oh, where to start? My French teacher and the assistant teacher are actually from France, my English/Lit class gets so caught up in discussing the short stories we read that we are now two days behind schedule (and it's okay), and my First Year Seminar involves walking the streets of Holland and learning about the history of the buildings.

Hope is, put simply, a lot of fun. But beware lest ye become too caught up in all the clubs and events and forget to do thine homework (for example, I should be doing my French homework right now).
Also, Chapel is awesome, and they schedule your classes around it.

Ohh yes. As noted elsewhere, Hope costs A LOT, but they pour it right back into their students.

Visit first- and make sure to attend classes while you're there.

Anyone who can manage their time well and has a generally positive outlook.

You will learn so much in every class you take at Hope. Because it is a liberal arts school, part of the graduation requirements include a wide variety of classes ranging from art to science to religion and everything in between. Even the extra curricular classes will teach you a lot, and I have never heard of a “blow off” class. This may sound like a negative thing, but the best part about it is Hope is a very accredited school and people know that. With a degree from Hope, you have an up on job or grad school applications compared to people from other schools. People know that Hope College will not let you slack with blow off classes.

Because Hope is small, it gives you a tight community to live in, but not so tight you feel like you are on top of each other. Professors know you on a first name basis as opposed to a number in the network, and they are so willing to help you as a person, and not just as a member of their class. There are so many different small groups or programs that you can join, and there is always something you can do.

Hope College is a private school, so tuition is a bit pricy, but it also has a great Financial AID system that barely anyone pays ticketed price. Hope also is known for its accreditation so a higher tuition will pay off when you have the up on job applications or grad school applications.

It seems that prospective students are here every weekend, so if you are interested in Hope, absolutely contact them for a prospective weekend or for a tour. You can stay with current students in their dorms and go on a tour of the campus. If you live far away from the campus, you may be eligible for different programs that help you pay to get to the campus.

If you are used to a small town feeling and want to be known by your name and not your number, Hope will be perfect. If religion is also a big part of your life, or you would like it to be more, than Hope is another great place. Chapel meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 20 minutes and The Gathering meets every Sunday night for about an hour and a half. The best part is that it is not required so every person there is there because they want to be.