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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Service is an important part of Hope College life and faith. Time to Serve, our annual new student day of service, sends more than 300 new students to volunteer at 30 nonprofit sites throughout the Holland/Zeeland community.
See photos of previous Time to Serve projects.

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), 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.