Where will I live? When will I receive my roommate's name?
First-year students live in Tinker Hall or Randolph Hall, mostly in double rooms with a roommate. After their first year, students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of housing options on campus, from large residence halls and apartment-style houses to specialty communities for students with common interests.
Roommates are assigned to first-year students based on the information students include on their New Student Housing Information Form. You’ll receive your roommate’s name, contact information, and other basic housing information through your Hollins student email account in July.
Can I have a car on campus?
All students can bring a car to campus – even first-year students! Vehicle registration is required with our Department of Campus Security, and each student is assigned to park in one of the designated student lots on campus, which are conveniently located near most residence halls. All residential students who choose to keep a car on campus pay a $75 annual fee.
What is the food like?
Hollins’ dining services are provided by Meriwether Godsey, a culinary company that takes a student-centered approach to scratch cooking! Our Moody Student Center dining hall is where students enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays, and brunch and dinner on weekends. The menu always includes a variety of self-serve hot and cold options, a salad bar, and often, made-to-order entrees. There are plenty of vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options, and allergen information is available.
For eating on-the-go, The HUB (Hollins University Bistro) in the lower level of the student center offers burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and a variety of sides, all of which can be purchased using Hollins Dollars – spending money included in or added to the student meal plan. Coffee and pastries can be purchased outside of dining hall hours at one of two Greenberry’s Coffee locations on campus, in the library and the student center.
Am I required to live on campus?
Hollins is a residential campus! To give students the opportunities for growth afforded by a supportive community, undergraduate students are required to live on campus all four years unless their family resides within a 40-mile radius of Hollins. Students are also allowed to reside off-campus if they are over the age of 23 when starting at Hollins, if they are married, and/or if they have children.
When will my AP, IB, Dual Enrollment or Cambridge classes be evaluated for transfer credit?
First-time, first-year students may bring in a maximum of 64 total credits from AP, IB, dual-enrollment, or A-level coursework completed during secondary school. These credits are applied to some of your requirements for degree completion at Hollins. To have your credits evaluated for transfer, you may email or mail an official transcript (official college transcript for dual-enrollment credits) to our registrar at registrar@hollins.edu.
When will I know my class schedule?
First-year students register for courses before the start of the fall term. All new first-year students participate in our First-Year Foundations program (FYF) through which an upper-class mentor called a Student Success Leader (SSL) helps support your academic and social transition to university life. Since your academic advisor is part of your FYF class, you have regular contact with someone who can help direct your degree path as you explore new interests.
Before on-campus orientation, students are encouraged to browse the schedule of classes and major and minor requirements to put together a list of potential courses.
I have questions about financial aid. Who do I contact?
Questions about financial aid and scholarships can be directed to our Scholarships and Financial Assistance office at sfa@hollins.edu or (540) 362-6332.
When is the deadline to make my enrollment deposit?
The deadline for first-year students to make their enrollment deposit is May 1. You can submit payment through your myHollins portal to reserve your space in next year’s class!
How will Hollins help me transition to college life?
The entire Hollins community strives to make the transition to college life as easy and enjoyable as possible for new students! Before the academic year begins, all new students participate in orientation with student leaders and faculty. Orientation kicks-off with the Road to Commencement on Front Quad, and the rest of the week includes fun and informative sessions about clubs and activities, academic programs, and on-campus services. Plus, orientation concludes with the Roanoke Romp, led by our fabulous student Orientation Leaders!
HU Connect supports programming that brings together new students and current student mentors to build community among minority students and first-generation or limited-income students. Hollins’ First-Year Foundations program helps first-year students succeed academically during their transition to college life, and our Center for Learning Excellence is available in the library for students seeking extra support in math, writing, and other subjects.
How will I make friends?
You’ll find that there are plenty of ways to make friends while at Hollins! Join a club, run for an elected Student Government Association position, participate in athletics or the Hollins Outdoor Program (HOP), attend some of our exciting student activities organized by the student-run Hollins Activity Board (HAB), or explore the Roanoke Valley with other students. You also are likely to meet friends during some of our traditions celebrations on campus – Tinker Day is notable because the entire campus community spends the day together hiking Tinker Mountain in silly costumes!
What is there to do in Roanoke?
Roanoke is a vibrant small city brimming with outdoor adventures, excellent restaurants, and opportunities to enjoy the arts. Near the Hollins campus are many local businesses and restaurants to choose from, and Downtown Roanoke hosts even more! The Taubman Museum of Art, Mill Mountain Theatre, Center in the Square museums, and weekly farmer’s market are all popular weekend destinations. For outdoor fun, students often visit Carvins Cove Reservoir – accessible via the Carvins Cove Greenway connected to campus – for kayaking and hiking, or the Mill Mountain Star and the surrounding park, gardens, and Mill Mountain Zoo. All students can conveniently travel to downtown and the Valley View Mall shopping area via free private shuttles from campus offered Thursday-Sunday all year.
Student employment was not included in my financial aid package. Are there other work opportunities, either on or off campus?
Yes! Students can apply to become a Community Assistant in the residence halls after their first year on campus. an Admission Ambassador who gives campus tours and assists with visit days for prospective students; or a student assistant for our dining services team. Select students are also eligible to become a Career Connector through our on-campus Career Center; a Student Success Leader for a First-Year Seminar; or a writing or quantitative reasoning tutor in the Center for Learning Excellence.
For students who have transportation from campus into the Roanoke community, there are many job openings at local shops, restaurants, and other businesses. Additionally, an online job board available to current students features opportunities for babysitting, tutoring, and other small jobs offered by Hollins faculty, staff, and other connections.
