Hope College Top Questions

Parents and students: My advice to you is to dive in head first. Choosing the "right school" may seem like a hard decision, but in reality, it's not about the choice as much as it is about the experience you have at the college you choose. If you find 2 schools that you really like and you can't make up your mind, chances are they will both be a great fit for you. I strongly believe that the best way to experience college is to just go for it--meet as many people as you can, join clubs that interest you, eat in the cafeteria, and have some school spirit. Of course, academics are important, too. Don't forget that one of the biggest reasons you are attending school is to become further educated in a subject of your choice. Whatever that choice may be for you, be PASSIONATE about your subject. Jump head first into your classes, internships, and into your future. And while you are doing homework and writing papers and studying for exams, also remember that college was meant for something greater than just classes--it was meant for memories.

The best thing to remember when choosing a college is to remind yourself that it is your decision. The high school you went to was determined by your parents or by where you lived. But with college, you get to decide. Honestly, it can be really overwhelming to have so much choice, but it can also be very freeing. Do your research. Ask your friends, their parents, your teachers, your parents and even their friends where they went to school or if they know of a place you would like. And VISIT! The feel a college has when you are phyically there can often make or break the school and tell you much more than a piece of paper ever could. Just remember that it is your choice where you spend the next for years- so pick wisely. There is a school for everyone. And once you get there, cherish it. Don't worry about loans or looking good on the first day of class. Just cherish the opportunity and savor every last moment of the best years of your life.