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Life at Calvin

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Where Community Gives You Courage

Bring your ideas, talents, and questions—and go beyond the predictable. This vibrant student community embraces your curiosity and supports you as you grow into the life that God wants for you.

5

worship themes offered in chapel every single week

32,300+

slices of pizza served each year in our dining halls

70+

student organizations for you to be involved in

40

minutes to the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan

Calvin gives students a lot of freedom—I think more than most students know. We have a lot of power here to create the groups and communities we want to see.

Kai
Social Work major
Kai.
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The Calvin student worship team leads at the front of chapel, while students and staff sing and cheer energetically.

Shape Your Community

Faith and worship

Learn the ways Jesus is central to life at Calvin.

Student involvement and activities

Experience concerts and movies, join or lead a student organization, and more.

Life in Grand Rapids

Explore Grand Rapids, a big city with a small-town soul.

Center for Intercultural Student Development

Engage in redemptive cultural programming and communities.

Make This Place Your Own

Housing and Residence Life

When you live on campus at Calvin, this place really becomes your own. Housing on campus includes suite-style dorms, living-learning communities, and apartments. Whether you’re taking part in a floor Super Smash Bros. tournament or attending dorm worship, your dorm is where you’ll build new friendships and find opportunities to lead.

View housing options

See upcoming Residence Life events

Learn about Calvin traditions

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A group of male and female college students play tug of war at a residence life event at Calvin University.
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A student works on his computer at his dorm room desk, with pictures of outer space on the wall, a calvin university penant on the bulletin board, and his backpack on the ground.
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dining hall interior
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dining hall interior

Food and Dining

Whether you’re craving sandwiches, pizza, or global cuisine, there’s a little something for everyone.

Learn about meal plan options

Find dining hours and locations

See how we accommodate special dietary needs

Wellness and Safety

On Calvin’s campus, we take all aspects of your health seriously. From campus safety patrols to our on-site health clinic—we help you care for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Learn about wellness and safety at Calvin

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A student long boards down a paved path through a green lawn on Calvin University's campus.

Calvin is a place that’s always encouraging you to explore your unique gifts and abilities in the context of a loving and accepting community. It’s a tremendously uplifting community to be a part of.

Ethan
Biology and Chinese double major
Ethan outside with green trees behind.

A Day in the Life

7:15 AM - Wake Up
7:15 AM - Wake Up

One thing is for sure: there is no “typical” day at Calvin University. It’s time to freshen up and see what this day holds.

One thing is for sure: there is no “typical” day a...

8:03 AM - Breakfast
8:03 AM - Breakfast

Welcome to breakfast at Calvin, which basically gives you anything you could possibly want: waffles, pancakes, cereal, yogurt, smoothies, or eggs. However you like to start your day, we’ve got you covered.

Welcome to breakfast at Calvin, which basically gi...

8:51 AM - Class
8:51 AM - Class

At Calvin, you’ll get a broad education from some of the best profs out there. They’ll open your eyes to new worlds of information and understanding, exposing you to new perspectives.

At Calvin, you’ll get a broad education from some ...

10:30 AM - Worship
10:30 AM - Worship

 You always have enough space between classes to connect with God at chapel. Every day there’s something different: a worship style you’ve never experienced, an engaging speaker, or a Psalm rewritten to become a new song.

 You always have enough space between classes...

11:08 AM - Gym
11:08 AM - Gym

Head out to Calvin’s massive, state-of-the-art gym and fitness center. There are plenty of weights, treadmills, elliptical machines... plus an Olympic-sized pool and rock wall. And it's all free!

Head out to Calvin’s massive, state-of-the-art gym...

12:32 PM - Lunch
12:32 PM - Lunch

Meet a friend on the path and grab a bite to eat. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or just great comfort food—you have it all right here.

Meet a friend on the path and grab a bite to eat. ...

1:00 PM - Class
1:00 PM - Class

From your first semester at Calvin, you can start taking classes in your major. Find support from expert faculty and camaraderie with students who share the same passion.

From your first semester at Calvin, you can start ...

1:50 PM - Research
1:50 PM - Research

Even as an undergrad, you’re encouraged to work shoulder-to-shoulder with brilliant professors on cutting-edge research.

Even as an undergrad, you’re encouraged to work sh...

3:05 PM - Rehearse
3:05 PM - Rehearse

Act, dance, sing, direct, design—you’ll have endless opportunities to express yourself at Calvin. 

Act, dance, sing, direct, design—you’ll have endle...

4:01 PM - Study
4:01 PM - Study

Grab your bag and head to your favorite study spot. There are cozy nooks and crannies all over campus for you to discover and claim.

Grab your bag and head to your favorite study spot...

5:17 PM - Relax
5:17 PM - Relax

Head back to your room and catch your breath. Jump in for a quick video game match against your suitemates or reconnect with friends about your day.

Head back to your room and catch your breath. Jump...

5:50 PM - Dinner
5:50 PM - Dinner

Need a change of scenery? Within minutes of campus, you can find legendary chili dogs, authentic Thai, your favorite chain, and local favorites.

Need a change of scenery? Within minutes of campus...

6:42 PM - Explore
6:42 PM - Explore

Grab an iced chai, check out a museum, or just wander downtown. Grand Rapids is growing rapidly, but the heart of the city is still the perfect size to explore on foot.

Grab an iced chai, check out a museum, or just wan...

8:00 PM - Show
8:00 PM - Show

Grab some (inexpensive) tickets and meet up with friends for a concert or movie back on Calvin’s campus. You’ll have access to a huge variety of shows, from big names to undiscovered acts.

Grab some (inexpensive) tickets and meet up with f...

10:37 PM - Unwind
10:37 PM - Unwind

It’s been a long—and hopefully unforgettable—day. Grab a booth and a late-night snack at the campus cafe and catch up with a friend.

It’s been a long—and hopefully unforgettable—day. ...

11:15 PM - Sleep
11:15 PM - Sleep

The day ends where it began: dorm sweet dorm. Time to get a good night’s rest, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

The day ends where it began: dorm sweet dorm. Time...