Hanover College (HC)

Hanover College is a school that is brimming with opportunity. And with its "beautiful" campus and emphasis on "gaining real-life skills and making lifelong connections," it's easy to understand why students are drawn here. The vast majority of classes at Hanover are "small and discussion based," and many also place "a heavy focus on writing." While the academics can be challenging, students eagerly report that "many of the harder classes have tutors for that specific class." Additionally, the Learning Center is always "willing to go over things with you, edit papers and more." Importantly, it's evident that Hanover professors "love what they teach...and that excitement often carries over to the student." Indeed, they excel at "bring[ing] the material to life...and easily keep the attention of the class." Just as essential, Hanover professors are also known to be "caring and down to earth" and "devoted to their students." And, as this ecstatic art history major concludes, "Most of the professors on staff are part of the best people you will ever meet in life."

Hanover is home to a "small, pretty laid back and surprising[ly] interesting community." Indeed, while undergrads here admit that ethnic diversity "is still an issue," they happily point out that you'll find a wide array of personality types. Of course, the "majority of the students are committed to their academics and [strive to find] a balance between work and play." Many Hanover undergrads "are also extremely passionate about the things in which they invest their time, whatever that may be, and encourage that passion in others." It's important to note that the college's small size does make it "[easy] for cliques...to form." However, we're assured "it is also quite easy to break into the cliques if you are really interested in hanging out with certain groups of people." This social ease can be attributed to the fact that Hanover features some of the "friendliest individuals that Indiana has to offer." In fact, you are virtually guaranteed "to see a smiling face or to get a hello anywhere you walk on campus, whether it be from a fellow student or a faculty member." As one satisfied economics major sums up, "We are all about making everyone feel welcome and making Hanover College home."

While some undergrads grumble that "life at Hanover is pretty slow," others steadfastly argue that "there are SO many things [with which] to be involved." For starters, students can participate in "over sixty organizations" including "Adopt A Grandparent, Circle K Community Service, Best Buddies, and so many more." Additionally, individuals who enjoy the arts will be delighted to hear that both "the theater department and the improv group...never disappoint [and] the choir and band concerts [are] always very enjoyable [as well]." For those that are more athletically inclined, we're told that "when it's warm out, students go hiking, play wiffleball, or...sand volleyball." Many undergrads also gravitate to the Student Activities Center which offers "game tables, [a] theater room, televisions [and] study spots." And, in the evenings, "chances are some club always has something planned-be it a movie showing [or] a poetry night!" Hanover also has a relatively robust party scene. Indeed, undergrads inform us that "Greek life is big on...campus." And while there "are only four frats...they are a [major] part of [the] social life." Finally, when students are looking for a break from the campus routine, they often head to nearby Madison or Louisville, which is a mere "forty-minute drive [away]" and the closest major city.

Current students feel that Hanover has “a determination to help students succeed on a personal and career level,” and that their college does everything it can to help round students out for their futures. “As a sophomore, I already have had much field experience and I feel confident enough to enter my career field,” one student explains. In addition to putting on a host of career-related workshops, the Hanover Career Center sponsors several major annual events including four career fairs, a grad school fair, and an alumni networking day, and hosts on-campus recruiting. It also arranges the City Semester internship programs in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington and runs a series of mock interviews, résumé critiques, and career workshops.