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rhumbob
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
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Posted: Mon May 29th, 2006 07:38 pm |
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My D and I visited Hope College on a midwest tour in 11/05. This college was the surprise of the trip. We had met an admissions rep in a San Francisco presentation by "Colleges That Change Lives". Hope College is in the guide. It ranks around 90 through 100 in US News (if you put much stock in that stuff). At the time of our trip Wheaton (in Wheaton, IL) was my daughters "be all, end all" choice. We visited Hope to fill out our trip (also visiting St. Olaf and Carleton).
Holland MI is a beautiful little town. Quaint describes it. Funny, but we live near Healdsburg, CA and Holland reminds me of Healdsburg (substitute tulips for wine). The college covers a few blocks about a block away from the downtown area. Holland is small but it looks like you can get off campus into the town very easily. Grand Rapids is about 30 or 45 minutes away. The campus is well maintained, clean, and attractive. The school is close to Lake Michigan and apparently there are recreational activities (we did not check it out). The campus has a mix of older and brand new buildings. The science building and communications buildings are new and impressive. There is also a new athletic facility. The chapel is old and has a great atmosphere. According to our guide and campus literature the school just completed a large capital campaign and we are seeing the fruits of that program.
My D is looking to go into secondary education, wants to study ministry/theology and possibly work in that field, and will probably major in history. The part religion plays in a school is important to her. She wants a school where religion is a mainstream part of campus life but there is a tolerance for diverse opinions and social topics can be debated in a healthy constructive manner. She doesn't want an environment where religion is force fed or, at the other extreme, where conservative views are attacked (having your views challenged is great, being attacked is not okay).
The daily chapel at Hope was great. Not compulsory but well attended. Not a dogmatic feel but an open atmosphere. We had lunch with a current student who was not a Christian, and our tour guide was not a Christian when he came to Hope but became one while there. Everyone seemed comfortable in their own skin. Midwest friendliness seemed the prevalant culture. There wre 2 other father/daughters who had lunch in our group. They were from the general region (within an hour or 2) so it was nice to hear the locals perception of the school. Both of their daughters had already made the decision to attend Hope. All in all it seems like a tolerant, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere. The only negative was the cafeteria food. It was the worst of any campus we have visited...maybe an off day?
The academics seem strong. My D attended a class. It appears there are a lot of opportunities for undergrad research. We liked that there are traditions at the school: a big tug-of-war ("the pull" ) to start of the school year, and a big revue type show put on by freshman/sophomer girls. Seems like a fun campus atmosphere. The admissions rep noted that thye receive awards for their campus activities program.
On a second visit to the midwest we walked the campus again felt the same positive vibe. I would say that Hope is a real possibility. For my D the list is now Hope, Valparaiso, Gustavus, with St. Olaf a darkhorse candidate. Others we visited but are not right for my D: Calvin, Wheaton, Carleton, Notre Dame.
Last edited on Mon May 29th, 2006 10:15 pm by rhumbob
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rhumbob
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 66 |
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Posted: Mon May 29th, 2006 07:40 pm |
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If anyone has opinions/insight/experince on Hope, Valparaiso, or Gustavus we would love to hear from you.
Thanks.
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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Tue May 30th, 2006 02:59 am |
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I assume you read my post about Gustavus just going SAT optional last week. 
I looked at all three schools in depth for my daughter. They each have their strong points. I'd put Gustavus and Hope a step above Valpo in terms of over all academic quality but Valpo is fine too. Hope is exceptional for the sciences - their undergrad science research program is amazing. Gustavus is very generous with merit money for out of state students. ValPo has some really interesting career focused majors. Of the three, Hope seems like the most religiously oriented, but that is just my impression and may not be the truth. I would have been happy with any of the three for my daughter but she thought they were all too "mainstream" for her.
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rhumbob
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
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Posted: Tue May 30th, 2006 05:51 pm |
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Thanks Carolyn, I did see the SAT optional note.
Did you post detailed reviews of Hope, Valpo, or Gustavus anywhere? These schools don't seem to generate a lot of discussion.
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TripleG
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| Joined: | Mon Jun 19th, 2006 |
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Posted: Mon Jun 19th, 2006 06:24 pm |
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My S will be attending Hope as a freshman in the fall. He selected it for its feeling of Christian community, its location, its academic program in his likely major, and the opportunities to pursue all of his varied interests. It helped that some of his favorite kids from our church are already students there and love it.
So far, Hope has been great--generous with merit aid, very welcoming, friendly and helpful on the phone or via email.
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rhumbob
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Posted: Sat Mar 10th, 2007 08:36 pm |
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Thought I would add another post since D has decided to attend Hope. For any church affiliated school the question comes up as to the role of religion in day to day college life. I think we visited & toured a wide array of schools so I want to address that question.
Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) seemed the most severe. This school is Christian only. Calvin (Grand Rapids, MI) seems a bit looser, but I still think the atmosphere is overwhelmingly Christian and you would be uncomfortable not being a believer. These are both excellent schools with great programs. All faculty are Christians.
Hope, Gustavus Adolphus, St. Olaf seem very similar in the role religion plays in campus life. There are chapel services during the day 3 times a week but they are not mandatory. There is a service on Sunday, again it is not mandatory.
The first time we visited Hope the tour leader was not a Christian when he enrolled. The girl we had lunch with was not a Christian. Of the students who have called D only one was a Christian. Hope has faculty members that are not Christian. The school has a Sunday night service called The Gathering that is well attended and also has chapel services 3 times a week. At the daily chapel I attended there were maybe 100 students there...about the same as I saw at the daily chapel at St. Olaf. The non Christian students D met were involved in campus life and really liked Hope.
Thats not to say that these are identical to schools with no religious affiliation. Exploring your spirituality is encouraged at these schools and there are more opportunities to do so than at other schools.
Every school I have mentioned is a great school but each has its own unique feel. I would recommend campus visits before enrolling at any of these schools.
Last edited on Sat Mar 10th, 2007 11:33 pm by rhumbob
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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Sat Mar 10th, 2007 10:06 pm |
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Rhumbob,
Thank you for this - it was very helpful because, as you say, it can be difficult to judge the religious atmosphere on any church affiliated campus. I like how you were very direct in sorting out the differences, and I appreciate your taking the time to do so for everyone here. It's information I know I will file away for future reference. Thanks! And congratulations again to your daughter.
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rhumbob
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| Joined: | Mon Mar 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
| Posts: | 66 |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 11:46 pm |
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I wanted to add to the Hope thread after D has been ther for a semester+.
She is very happy. Her impressions from the campus visits and the overnight proved to be realistic. The coursework is challenging and she is getting the opportunity to participate in a research project over the summer. She has made a lot of friends and the school has a great program to integrate freshmen into campus life. There are a variety of students although the vast majority are from MI and nearby states. Although affiliated with a Christian denomination it seems like any student would feel comfortable at Hope no matter their faith tradition (or lack thereof).
The toughest part for D is adjusting to the cold, dark MI winter.
This school doesn't get mentioned much on the internet boards but it offers a great value. Beautiful location, reasonable tuition/room & baord, good financial aid available, and graduates seem to do well in heading to graduate schools.
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CarolynLawrence
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 12:00 am |
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| Rhumbob, Thank you for the update on your daughter. It's good to hear that she is happy at Hope. I actually have a student who may consider Hope - she is looking exclusively at Christian-affiliated colleges, and Hope seems like a possible fit for her in other ways as well, so I may contact you if she decides she wants to take a closer look. But, it is wonderful to hear that your daughter is enjoying Hope!
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