First-Year Experience

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Whether you’re coming from across the state or around the world, Hope College is your place to grow and be known.

We’re here to help you successfully transition to life at a liberal arts college:

Connect with others in a community that truly appreciates diversity
Build relationships with peers and faculty from different backgrounds
Learn more about yourself — your strengths, values, interests and goals
Pursue the habits and practices that will help you succeed in the classroom

Welcome to the Hope community — your community. We’re glad you’re here.

First-Year Seminar

Hope’s first-year seminar offers students an engaging intellectual transition to the college through studying a critical intellectual topic, reading primary texts and discussing them in a seminar format, and learning about the purpose of a liberal arts education.

First-Year Advising

Your first-year seminar professor will serve as your first academic advisor and will support your discernment of strengths and interests, your exploration of academic and professional goals, and your academic planning and class registration.

Day1 Research Communities

Hope’s innovative Day1 programs offer first-year students unique research opportunities in science, engineering and math. Students will gain professionally relevant skills and tackle real-world problems through research that begins on day one of your college experience.

Phelps Scholars Program

A unique combination of residential life, academic engagement and social activities, the Phelps Scholars Program at Hope is a one-year commitment and prepares students to be leaders in an increasingly global society. Phelps Scholars are enriched by the experience of living in community with others from a broad range of cultural backgrounds, and together they explore the issues of diversity that shape our world.

New Student Orientation

New student orientation is a four-day program to help incoming students transition successfully to Hope College. The program includes sessions on academics, campus resources and college life for new students and their families.

Days of Service

Service is an important part of Hope College life and faith. Time to Serve (in the fall) and Hope Serves (in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.) send students to volunteer at nonprofit sites throughout the Holland/Zeeland community.

Hope Traditions

Our annual traditions set Hope apart. Dive into Hope’s 150-year history with longstanding events like The Pull (an epic tug-of-war over the Black River) and the Nykerk Cup Competition (compete in song, plays and oration) or raise money for the DeVos Children’s Hospital through Dance Marathon. And our rich tradition of faith fills Dimnent Chapel three times a week for voluntary Chapel services.