Hanover College (HC)

Located in southeastern Indiana, Hanover College is a premier, nationally recognized liberal arts institution that has core strengths in the natural and life sciences, education and business. Founded in 1827, Hanover is Indiana's oldest private, four-year college and sits on a beautiful 650-acre campus overlooking the Ohio River. Hanover is a distinctive intellectual, challenging and supportive community whose members value transformative learning, meaningful service and lifelong inquiry. The College's students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and nurtured to develop each individual's unique abilities to their highest level. Nearly 100 percent of Hanover's students receive some form of financial aid. More than 99 percent of the College's graduates gain full-time employment or enroll in graduate/professional school within seven months of graduation.

Hanover's students start companies, create social movements and examine wildlife in the wild – and that is just while they are here. After leaving, Hanoverians join a powerful alumni network of high achievers with connections to jobs in every field.

A typical Hanover student is usually in the top 20 percent of their graduating high school class, with a well-rounded history of extracurricular activities in the service, sports and academic arenas. But their Hanover experience, however, is anything but a typical college experience.

At Hanover, students can design their own major, start their own club or organization and spend May Term immersed in a single course – often abroad. Hanover students leave with a professional resume, already filled with authentic work from their undergraduate internship, combined with practical-meets-technical experience in their chosen field.

Hanover's residential campus-where more than 95 percent of our students live on-campus all four years-is a place where there is always something happening.

When our students are not taking advantage of our amazing 650-acre campus and enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, disc golf or sand volleyball, you will likely find them engaged with one of more than 70 clubs and organizations on campus. Hanover is a place where our students can truly find a place where they belong, so new clubs are being created all the time.

Clubs and organizations include a wide range such as interest-based groups, intramural athletic teams, student government, performers, philanthropic causes and more. Plus, there are four fraternities and four sororities on our campus, with about half of our student body pledged to one of these Greek chapters.

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.