Hope College Top Questions

FInd out as much as possible beforehand, so you at least partially know what to expect before you're there.

Talk to students at the school...not those who the admissions office puts in front of you but real students. Pray about it. Know that even though there may be days even weeks that you cant stand your choice...there is a reason for where you are at and something good will come of it. Enjoy the journey. Dont stress- it doesnt help anything and it honestly just ruins all the fun. Look at schools big and small, religously affiliated and not, near to home and far...you may just be surprised at what you end up loving! Good luck!

I would encourage students to visit the colleges they are looking to attend. It was extrememly helpful for me to see the campus, meet with professors I would potentially have, and interact with current students. One of the main reasons I chose Hope College is because I felt so at home when I visited, it felt natural. I would also make sure to see if they have the major/majors you are looking for and not to settle for a major because it is the college you want. To the students I would encourage them to get involved freshman year with activities the campus offers. Not only does that allow for the students to make a connection with the campus and what it has to offer but also allows them to meet other people with the same interests..

I would recommend choosing a college based not upon arbitrary rankings that can be found in various college review books, but instead upon what college is the best personal fit. Too many students, I think, look at raw numbers and then simply attend the college that they feel is strongest in their major or will help them get the job they want. This is unfortunate, since college is not simply about getting the degree and the job. The journey along the way is important too, and more students should choose the college that will help them grow most as human beings, whether that is through sports, religion, volunteer service, or greek life. Students do themselves a disservice when they look to college as nothing more than a supplier of undergraduate degrees, and they become less complete people as a result. Therefore, I would implore students to make sure to look at the big picture of their college application process. If you choose a college that helps you become a better and more complete person, then the name of the shool on the degree won't matter; you will have become eminently employable.

I would suggest researching their college of choice and looking at many different options. I only visited one school, Hope College, the one I really wanted to go to. Today, I wish I would have looked into other schools that were different that Hope. One great thing colleges offer these days are tours of their schools. I would strongly suggest going on these visitation days because they are very informative and very helpful when trying to decide which college is the best fit.

Make sure to research the collges completely to find the best one that fits. Don't be afraid to call up the college or set up meetings to find the place that would best suit you and your personality.

One of the things that helped me the most in finding the perfect school was visiting a lot of schools in different parts of the country and of many different types. I did a lot of research (online and in books) and talked to many different people about the school they went to. The most important thing that I did though was made the desicion for myself and no one else. Of course I listened to a lot of adivce but utimately I made the decision myself. This in turn made me thrilled about my decision to attend Hope and I truely believe that I could not have made a better desicion. As for getting the most out of my college experience, I think it is all how you look at it and take it in. I focus on the good in my school and all the things I love about it. I do not focus on the negative things. I also think that the best thing you can do is to put yourself out there and to try to learn as much as you can from everyone at your school, isn't that what we are here for? Thanks!

I would tell students looking at colleges to look way beyond appearance. When I was choosing my school I was immediately enraptured in the beauty of the campus that I did not even consider any of the other schools that I had visited. Make sure to look in depth at what you want to get out of school, and what college you best think can fill those needs. Don't choose a college for just one reason, such as sports, because that may not work out. You want to make sure that no matter if you are injured and can't play any more, or change your mind of your major, you will still be happy at that school. I would say its very important to make sure to look into the social life and what type of atmosphere you want on the weekends, because that's what you're going to be around for the next four years of your life. If you choose a college that upholds a lot of the values you believe, then you're more likely to find a group of steady, lifelong friends.

First find the size of college you want to attend. From there explore your options! The size of school will act as a good starting point to find your perfect school!You might be suprised to find all the different schools you will find and it could be a little overwhelming. There are so many options out there that you most likly never knew about before you started looking for schools. The college I ended up at, was one i applied to on a whim to have another options, it ended up that it was the best place for me. Don't confine your search to only a few programs. Although you may believe you may know the field you want to go into but so much changes when you get to college. Going into a well rounded school will make it easier to find the major and field for you! Make sure you narrow your choices before you apply, not only will it save you money on application fees but it will make your decision process much easier! Good luck!

Students: Your college experience can be as adventurous and fun as you make it. You will be given many opportunities to participate in activities outside of classes and campus; do these things! You may find your niche at college and love your friends, classes, professors, etc., but in order to grow you'll need to challenge yourself. Study abroad, find an internship or get involved with a volunteer organization. However, make sure that you only commit to what you can do because otherwise it can be easy to become overwhelmed. Things will be stressful no matter how organized you are, but if you are taking care of yourself by eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep they will be easier to deal with. Make sure you get to know not only your peers but also professors. Lastly, when it comes to school work, make sure you start off your freshman year on the right foot. It can be easy to slack off in the fall semester when you are in a new place and meeting all new people and are being presented with tons of activities to join, but the underlying reason you're at college is to excell academically.

To me, the most important thing was finding a place that fits you. As great as a school may be, you will be miserable if it is not right for you.

Choose Hope!

Many students may regret their decision and transfer to a different college, others may be perfectly content with their decision and stay all four years, and then there is the group of students who are unhappy with their decision and stay at a college that they don't feel they belong. The worst would be an unhappy student who simply stays at their college, whether it be due to financial, academic, or social reasons. In order to truly make the most of ones college experience, finding the right college is key and it is not always so easy to do. Visiting the school and perhaps doing an overnight visit is one of the best ways to "feel" out a college. This gives the student a sneak peek of what student life is like at that school and how they would fit in there. Other ways to find the right college are to weigh out the pros and cons of each based on the field of interest, general academics, extracurricular activities, and of course, financial aid. The decision should NEVER be made solely on one of these areas because many things can change in college, such as majors and financial aid.

Let God direct you to the right path.

Visit, tour, and ask questions from real students. That is what helped most for me. Consider a lot of schools, and start thinking early! Also, search places you may not have considered at first, and not just places where your friends might be looking. Consider social AND academic aspects of the school. There is no use going to a school that doesn't have the major you're looking for, but there is also no reason you can't find a school where you will have a good time too. Remember, wherever you end up, you will almost surely be able to find friends, groups, activities, and classes for you. The college decision is probably one of the hardest you've had to make, but your experience anywhere will be, overall, what you make of it.

Make sure you're somewhere where you'll be comfortable and get a good education. A lot of people make the mistake of going to somewhere that has a good name but aren't happy there. It's important to get a good education, but in order for that to happen, you have to be happy where you are. I always heard that college was about figuring out who you are - I think that's true too. You want to not only learn material in whatever major you choose, but also understand yourself better and challenge yourself to grow. That sounds corny, but if you're exactly how you left high school when you leave college without understanding why, then you probably wasted a few years of your life. Go where you'll have good professors who care about you, good support services, and again, where you can explore different options and be comfortable in your skin. And if you can, particiapte in study abroad programs if you've never lived abroad - it's amazing. Do an overnight at any prospective college too, so you can get a feel for where you might spend the next four years.

My best advice I can give about selecting the right college for you is to visit and stay overnight if possible. You need to experience it personally to know if it fits, and decide is it the right school for you? Also very few people actually stick with their first major, so look to see what courses they offer and be sure that if you change your mind about one major they offer another that you are interested in so that you can stay at the same school just switch your major. Making the most of your college experience means getting involved. Remember that college is the time where you get to redefine yourself. The high school stereotype of yourself is gone, you have been given the chance to be whoever you want. Go out, be adventurous, try things you normally wouldn't, talk with people that you normally wouldn't. Go to sporting events, go to the coffee house and see who you meet. Making college the best experience ever involves you taking a step outside your norm and being outgoing, meeting new people, and making new friends. Build memories to tell your children.

Bring a lot of money!

Get involved and be friends with your professors.

The critical goal is to find the college that encourages you to grow and develop. In the college serach, it's important to stay focused on what is best for you, not your buddies, or attending the 'popular' university. To make most of the college experience, you want to attend a college located in a community that will support you and your career and personal goals. You will want to find a place to call home that allows you to spread your wings and encourages you to try new things, to overcome the fear of the unknown, and let's you fly away to new heights. This is the place where you will meet future lilfelong friends. It's important to embrace the new and have the support of the community to risk new adventures. Find the college or university that calls your name and will take you to new heights.

My advise to a parent or student attempting to find the right college experience is to visit the college. When at the school, talk to students about the school, do not just speak with faculty and professors. This will give you a better idea of what the school is about and how much students enjoy it there. After all, college isn't just about the education, it is about the experience also.

It is not just about money but the degree programs offered!

Visit several different places to find out what you like. Do you like big schools or small? Is the food good? Quiet dorms or loud. Etc... Then look at all of your options and choose from there.

It is important that a student seeking the proper college not seek the same experience that he or she is having in high school. Many things about a person can change, and likely should change, about him or her in the first year away from home. This change ranges from ways of thinking, to challenging oneself, to living well, to the manner in which he or she treats others of all backgrounds. College is a time for fun and social activity as well, so it is important that a college-seeking student probe the availabilities of campus activities and the varieties of those activities. All in all. the most important piece is choosing a school that will challenge the student and cause him or her to grow both academically and personally.

Be intentional about where you want to go. College is a great oppertunity to significantly change your life. Don't let the little things get in your way. Money is temporary, high school friends will change, and you only have one chance. Make a decision and make the most out of it. The only thing that holds you back is your own doubt. Take risks; if not, ask yourself if you're really living.

take campus visits and do over night stays

This overall is a very good place to be.

Choosing the right college isn't the biggest decision you will have to make, nor is it the most important. No matter where you end up, the experience will shape you, and you will shape that place. So you might ask then, "What is the most important question?" And my answer to you would be this; What are you going to do to change the world around you? How will you allow your college experience to shape the lives of others? So, in short, my advice to you is this; use this time to find out who you are. These four years provide a welcome respite to the less forgiving real world. Take advantage of it, soak up every moment, and in the end you'll have no regrets.

1. Find a school where you enjoy the setting of the schools. (weather, location, size) 2. I find smaller schools helpful because it is easier to get help in classes and professor seems to reallly care. (however that is my preference) 3. Find a school with a variety of majors because you may end up switching your major. 4. Find a school that is willing to help with financial aid because it is one less thing to worry about. 5. Reseach the school, look at whether or not students are finding jobs or grad-schools after college. 6. Find a place where you would feel comfortable. You can't enjoy college unless your happy!

Cease every opportunity, whether that be taking an active approach to learning as much as possible about a potential college or finding a group of people to connect with during your first few weeks as a freshman. Take advantage of each chance to talk with others who are living the college experience. Connect. Network. Discover the ins and outs of things. Learning goes beyond the basics, beyond classes, and beyond handouts. Get an insider's opinion, find ways to impact your college community, talk to someone new as often as possible.

Make sure you find somewhere with faculty and staff who care about the progress of the students, and will be available to advise, help, or just talk. I have greatly benefitted from the small faculty-to-student ratio on my campus, and I've found that all of my professors have been more than willing to assist me in any way possible. Also, look for a school that focuses on good academics, and study hard - you will have plenty of time to party later in life, once you're happy and successful because you focused on school and did well.

You should look for the college that offers what you want to get out of a college education. Do they have degrees that will allow you to get the job you want. Are they at the right distance from home for you. If you want to be close to home and maybe drive to campus this will be important, especially if you want to stay in close contact with family. Is the price right, can you pay your own way or will financial aid and your parents be able to pay for it without trouble. Are graduates from this college likely to get jobs after they graduate? Is the office of career services helpful in finding jobs and helping you figure out where you will go during and after college? Try not to stress out too much about school work and try to schedule things so that you have plenty of time to do them. Try not to stay up late into the night trying to do work when you have a class at 8am the next morning. Plan things around your schedule and have fun at college.

To find the right college and make sure that the experience is everything it can be, I think that there are three words parents and students should keep in mind: follow your heart. I didn't want to go to my college before I visited, but then I fell in love with it immediatley. I knew it was just where I belonged, and just thinking about going there made me smile in a way that the other colleges couldn't. Financially it did not make sense to go this college, but my parents and I knew that the key to success is to follow your heart. Sometimes it takes us in unexpected directions, but it rarely lets us down. This advice applies not just to choosing a college, but to making the most of the college experience as well. When it comes to choosing a major, I would advise students to go with their passion. You'll be far more successful doing something you love than something that your heart just isn't in. In the end, making these decisions are never easy, but if you follow your heart happiness is within your reach!

Do not pick a college based social aspects. Pick a college based on what you will get out of it in terms of your future wants and goals.

Stay with current students to try and see what the student life is like before attending a school, and go on more than one or two occassions. If you feel that the school that you are at doesn't feel right, then transfer without hesitation, don't stay somewhere for the mere fact of friends.

Visit the schools and talk to professors as well as students. Don't just talk to student tour guides...they are paid to sell the college. Stop someone on the sidewalk, they'll tell you the truth. Also, don't worry about money. You can always get loans...If you truly believe you are supposed to go to a certain college, then don't look at the price tag.

Go visit and have the student stay over night with other college students.

I applied to several schools and wasn't sure if I would be able to go to college based on financial need. I ended up following what school felt right to me and God made a way for me to be here. I can't afford college, but I work several jobs to continue my stay here. I love every day because I've earned my place here and appreciate it so much. For those students looking at schools, be practical, find a school that fits your academic needs, and then try to find that "X" factor that makes one school stand out more to you than the others. It should begin to naturally feel like a second home to you. Also, don't worry so much because if it's meant to be, you will develop the initiative and resources to make it . Every dream is possible!!

First and foremost, I would tell students to base their decision on what campus and setting really fits them best. It is important to consider your interests and passions and values when choosing a school instead of simply choosing to attend somewhere because their degrees have a big name attached to them. If you hate parties, don't choose a school with that reputation and on the other hand, if you love them, don't choose a school with a dry campus. Also, don't miss out on your dream school just because you think it is too close to, or too far from, home. Once you get to school, understand that it's going to be a change from however you were living at home and be ready to take on a lot more responsibility. Just remember: a lot of people have done this for a long time, you will make it! Be sure to balance your social life with your academic life and have some fun!

Look for a college that has the right amount of people at it. If you want to be lost in the crowd, go to a big university. If you want to have small classes and know alot of people on the campus, attend a small college. Just match up what you want in your life and the right scholl will come along.

When considering where you would like to attend school, be sure that you are in love with the campus community! For me, I wanted to know that the community I would be immersed in for the next four years would support me academically. It is important to know that faculty, staff, and other students have your best interests in mind. If you are looking for ways to stay busy and get involved, be sure to explore various extra-curricular activities. Not only this, but see what opportunities there are for studying abroad or getting off campus internships etc! These are both great ways to grow as an individual and become a well-rounded individual! In my opinion, one of the most beneficial things a student can do when conducting their college search is to talk with current students! Talking with a student will allow you to get a fresh persepctive on the college or university. If possible, take part in an over-night visit so that you are able to "live the college life" for a day. Overall, if you follow your heart when making your college deicision, you are bound to be happy and have a wonderful college experience!

Find out what is right for you, don't be swayed by where your friends go and the status of a school. Find the school that is comfortable for you (it feels right) and you can grow and learn.

I would tell students that find a school that they really love not just choose the first one that you get accepted to. When you do find a school were you think you would like to attend make sure you do some research into that school, talk to students, professors, search through all policies and what kind of career placements they have. Students also need to know that school is not free even if your parents are paying for it, this can put stress on the family and your relationship with your parents. When you go to school make sure you make the most of the opportunities that have been placed infront of you. Have fun but be responsible, know that your time in college can be the best time of your life. You also need to know this time can set you up to have the future that you have always wanted, so work hard, make friends and know why your at school and what you want to get out of it.

Visit the school before you decide to go there. Actually being on campus is the best way to figure out whether or not you will fit in. Making the most out of college is easy if you take the time to get involved. There is no need to be involved in every club on campus;, just find one or two that really matter to you.

Visit, Visit, Visit! When I was a junior in high school I wanted nothing to do with college hunting. Now I kind of regret not asking lots of questions and really getting into all of the college tours I went on. Ask about the social life, the greek life, the food, the dorms, everything; not just adademic stuff. Although the education part IS extremely important, you are living here for the next four years! Make sure it is a place you could see yourself living at. And have fun! This is your life! Embrace it!

Talk to your children, you know them best and help them decide what would be the absolute best for them. If you allow them input in the decision, they will listen to you.

I would visit the colleges as much as possible before you enroll. Get the feel for the college and the community. If you have it narrowed down to a few make a pros and cons list and just compare all the qualities you are looking for in a college.

Finding the right college is about being able to walk on the campus and feel like you blend in and yet have the opportunity to stand out by accomplishing something great. It is about feeling the warmth and safety of community, yet still have the freedom to choose how to spread your wings. Once you find that place, make the most of your experience there. Try something new. Venture to form new opinions and test your old ones. Create friendships and give them priority. Absorb as much as you can from your professors. They've experienced a lot more than you can imagine. Study abroad. Select elective classes that challenge your thinking and your beliefs. College is a once in a lifetime experience. Determine now that you will have fun, learn a lot, and be able to look back on these years with joy and not regret. These are the years of exploration. They are safe years because you are in a community. They are challenging years for that same reason. There are plenty of things you learn in the classroom and so much more you learn out of it. Take advantage of every learning experience. It's worth it.

Before you start applying to colleges, definitely visit as many as you can. Even if you are only slightly interested, make a plan to go visit or at least get more information from the professors or students. My parents and I went on several college road trips the summer before my senior year of high school, visiting three or four schools at a time, and that is what absolutely cemented my deision to go to Hope College. It was the only campus that had everything I wanted and I already felt completely at home there. My other advice is to trust you gut instinct when making your final decision. Don't just go to school because your parents went there or it's the most prestigious. You have to choose the school that will fit your needs the best and you feel the most comfortable at. You can't study and perform well in a setting that you hate to be at. And finally, once you're in school, takes classes that interest you, not just ones that are in your major (if you can). You might discover something you love without ever thinking about it before.

Take the time to get to know a campus personally, without staff around. The quality of a campus really cannot be seen in one weekend on a tour hosted by the Admissions Office. Find students to talk to on campus--go to the department of the major you are inteninding to study and approach students for their opinion. Some campuses allow potential students to stay on campus with current students--this is a great way to see the inside of the college's life and atmosphere. To make the most of your college experience one needs to try everything! Don't merely focus on academics; though this is the main reason for attending a college or university, there are so many life lessons to be learned that cannot be acquired in the classroom.