
Also known as: HCC
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | Campus-wide observance with service activities and no classes, honoring civil rights leader. |
| 📚 | Spring Semester Classes Begin | 21 January 2025approximate | Start of spring term with orientation for new students and course registrations. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 17 February 2025 | Federal holiday; classes may be suspended for reflection on U.S. history. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 10 March 2025approximate | Week-long break for rest, travel, or service immersion trips. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday | 18 April 2025 | Religious observance; no classes, with campus services. |
| 🎓 | Spring Semester Ends | 9 May 2025approximate | Conclusion of classes before finals and commencement preparations. |
| 🥳 | Commencement Ceremony | 17 May 2025approximate | Graduation event celebrating student achievements. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 26 May 2025 | Holiday honoring military personnel; summer session impacts minimal. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Starts | 2 June 2025approximate | Beginning of optional summer courses and programs. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day | 4 July 2025 | National holiday; no classes, fireworks and community events. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Classes Begin | 25 August 2025approximate | Kickoff of fall term with welcome events and orientations. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day | 1 September 2025 | Holiday celebrating workers; classes suspended. |
| 🍁 | Fall Break | 13 October 2025approximate | Short break for midterm recovery and travel. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 26 November 2025 | Extended break for family time and gratitude. |
| ❄️ | Fall Semester Ends | 12 December 2025approximate | End of classes before winter holidays. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2025 | Major holiday; campus closed for celebrations. |
Are you planning on applying to HCC next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at HCC. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | Early Decision Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for binding early applications to HCC for 2026 entry. |
| 📝 | SAT/ACT Test Date | 6 December 2025 | Recommended test date for scores to reach admissions in time. |
| 🗓️ | Regular Decision Application Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Standard deadline for undergraduate applications. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Submission Deadline | 15 February 2026 | Priority deadline for financial aid applications. |
| 🗣️ | Admission Interviews Period Ends | 1 March 2026 | Last chance for optional alumni interviews. |
| 📬 | Early Decision Notifications | 15 December 2025 | Release of early decision results. |
| ✉️ | Regular Decision Notifications | 1 April 2026 | Standard admission decisions released. |
| ✅ | Enrollment Deposit Deadline | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to secure spot for fall 2026. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 15 March 2026 | For students transferring into HCC. |
Holy Cross College, located in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States, offers a structured academic calendar that serves as the backbone for students, faculty, and staff to navigate the educational year effectively. As a Catholic liberal arts institution affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and sharing a campus proximity with the University of Notre Dame, HCC's calendar reflects a blend of rigorous academic traditions and spiritual observances. The calendar typically divides the year into fall and spring semesters, with optional summer sessions, emphasizing a holistic education that integrates faith, service, and intellectual growth. This structure allows students to plan classes, prepare for exams, schedule holidays and breaks, manage work schedules, meet deadlines, track events at rival schools, coordinate family travel, and even verify historical dates for past academic years.
Historically, Holy Cross College's academic calendar has evolved from its founding in 1966 as a junior college to its current status as a four-year baccalaureate institution since 2000. Early calendars were more flexible, accommodating a smaller student body, but as enrollment grew and partnerships with Notre Dame strengthened, the calendar aligned more closely with standard U.S. higher education norms while incorporating unique elements like service immersion trips and religious feast days. Compared to larger universities, HCC's calendar often features shorter breaks to foster community and continuous learning, yet it includes essential pauses for rejuvenation, such as thanksgiving breaks that align with national holidays, allowing time for family and reflection.
For students, the impact of the academic calendar is profound; it dictates the rhythm of coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal development. Prospective students should note how admission key dates integrate with the calendar, influencing application timelines and enrollment. International students benefit from calendars that consider global holidays, though primarily U.S.-centric, with adjustments for diverse cultural observances. Faculty use it to align syllabi, research, and professional development, while staff coordinate administrative tasks. Parents and families rely on it for planning visits or travel around breaks like spring break, ensuring minimal disruption. By understanding the calendar's patterns—such as semester starts typically after major holidays—users can better anticipate and prepare for the academic year.
In essence, the HCC academic calendar is more than a list of dates; it's a tool for strategic planning. Whether you're a first-year student mapping out classes, a professor setting deadlines, or a family coordinating travel, it provides the framework for success. For those interested in faculty perspectives, check out Rate My Professor to view or contribute ratings. Explore job opportunities at HCC via higher ed jobs on Academic Jobs.
The academic calendar at Holy Cross College is meticulously designed to support its mission of forming students intellectually, spiritually, and socially. Structured around two main semesters—fall and spring—with intersessions and summer options, it incorporates traditions rooted in Catholic heritage, such as observances for feast days and service weeks. Holidays are thoughtfully placed to allow for rest and reflection, aligning with national events like Labor Day and Thanksgiving, while also considering local Indiana customs. This setup differs from more secular institutions by emphasizing community events and retreats, which enhance the collegiate experience. Students and faculty appreciate the balance it strikes between academic rigor and personal well-being. For instance, breaks are positioned to avoid burnout, providing opportunities for travel or family time. Traditions include annual events like the Holy Cross Feast Day, which fosters unity. Compared to nearby rivals like the University of Notre Dame, HCC's calendar is more intimate, with fewer large-scale interruptions. To get insights from current students, visit Rate My Professor and rate your experiences. Faculty interested in positions can explore lecturer jobs at Academic Jobs.
The calendar's structure influences everything from class planning to exam preparation, ensuring deadlines are met without overwhelming pressure. Historical shifts, such as expansions in the 1990s, have made it more comprehensive, including detailed notes on weather-related adjustments common in Indiana's variable climate. International students find it adaptable, with provisions for cultural holidays upon request. Overall, it's a dynamic tool that evolves with the college's needs, promoting a supportive environment. Invite your peers to rate my college for HCC to share feedback.
At Holy Cross College, semester dates provide a predictable framework for class planning, typically spanning about 15 weeks each, with built-in flexibility for inclement weather or special events. Fall semesters focus on foundational courses, while spring allows for advanced studies and capstones. Tips for planning include early registration to secure preferred classes, using the calendar to map out prerequisites and avoid conflicts with holidays or breaks. Students often rate professors highly for their accessibility during these periods; check Rate My Professor to find top-rated instructors. The calendar aids in balancing workloads, ensuring time for extracurriculars like athletics or clubs. Compared to other Indiana colleges, HCC's timing minimizes overlaps with major disruptions, enhancing focus. Prospective students should align their plans with admission cycles for seamless entry.
Faculty use these dates to design syllabi, incorporating deadlines that align with breaks for optimal student performance. International applicants benefit from understanding how semesters integrate with visa timelines. For career advice, explore higher ed career advice. Rate your courses at Rate My Course to help others plan.
Exam schedules at Holy Cross College are strategically placed at the end of each semester, allowing ample preparation time post-holidays and breaks. Typical periods include midterms around halfway points and finals after reading days. Preparation tips involve utilizing campus resources like tutoring centers and study groups, often praised in Rate My Professor reviews. The calendar ensures exams don't clash with major observances, promoting fairness. Students track rival school events to benchmark preparation strategies.
Faculty provide detailed guides, and historical patterns show consistent timing to aid long-term planning. For job seekers, see research jobs that value exam expertise.
Thanksgiving break at Holy Cross College offers a cherished pause, typically encompassing the national holiday, allowing students to travel home, engage in traditions, and recharge. In the U.S. context, it's a time for gratitude and family gatherings, with campus events like communal meals beforehand. Planning tips include booking travel early, especially from Notre Dame's location, and using the time for preliminary exam prep. Traditions might include service projects aligning with HCC's mission. Compared to other colleges, it's a standard length but infused with spiritual reflections.
Faculty appreciate the break for grading respites. Coordinate family travel using the calendar to avoid conflicts. View professor ratings at Rate My Professor for post-break class insights.
Holy Cross College holidays and breaks are locale-specific, including U.S. staples like Thanksgiving, spring break, and Christmas, with travel tips for safe journeys from Indiana. Spring breaks allow for rejuvenation, often used for service trips. Alternatives to fall breaks include long weekends. Planning involves aligning with work schedules and deadlines.
International students adapt to these, sometimes incorporating their own customs. Historical verifications show consistent alignments. Explore university rankings for similar calendars.
Faculty work schedules at HCC revolve around the calendar, with deadlines for syllabi submission, grading, and meetings timed around semesters. Tips include using breaks for research. Job links: higher ed jobs by country.
Notes for faculty include meeting cadences and grading periods. Invite employees to rate their employer at employer profiles.
Archives of past calendars reveal patterns, like consistent semester starts post-holidays. Future projections follow similar structures.
Key events like orientation and commencement are highlights. Invite students to rate professors at Rate My Professor or view results.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Holiday marking the new year; campus quiet. |
| 📖 | Spring Semester Classes Begin | 12 January 2026approximate | Commencement of spring courses post-winter break. |
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | Service-oriented holiday with no classes. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 16 February 2026 | Observance of U.S. presidents; potential day off. |
| ✈️ | Spring Break Begins | 9 March 2026approximate | Break for relaxation and optional trips. |
| 🙏 | Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Solemn religious day; classes canceled. |
| 🏫 | Spring Semester Ends | 8 May 2026approximate | Wrap-up of spring term activities. |
| 🎊 | Commencement Ceremony | 16 May 2026approximate | Celebration of graduates' accomplishments. |
| 🌹 | Memorial Day | 25 May 2026 | Remembrance holiday; summer impacts. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Session Starts | 1 June 2026approximate | Launch of summer academic offerings. |
| 🇺🇸 | Independence Day Observed | 3 July 2026 | Holiday observance if July 4 falls on weekend. |
| 📅 | Fall Semester Classes Begin | 24 August 2026approximate | Start of fall with community events. |
| 👷 | Labor Day | 7 September 2026 | Workers' holiday; no classes. |
| 🍂 | Fall Break | 12 October 2026approximate | Mid-semester respite. |
| 🍗 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 25 November 2026 | Family-oriented break. |
| 🎄 | Fall Semester Ends | 11 December 2026approximate | Term conclusion before holidays. |