[Becky]

Thanks guys

So, my dad narrowed it down to 7 schools.. most of the ones that he droped were because he wasn't comfortable with my going to presbiterian college and a LOT of them were.. so that made it a little easer I guess...

I'm not sure I like any of the choices.. I'm not sure why though.. I picked out a couple that he'd rejected.. just to check out.. who knows.

the ones my dad looked at are:

Bridgewater http://www.bridgewater.edu/
Bryan College http://www.bryan.edu/
Campbell http://www.campbell.edu/
Cumberland www.cumberlandcollege.edu
Emanuel www.emmanuelcollege.edu
Louisiana College www.lacollege.edu
Oklahoma Baptist University www.okbu.edu

Now, the ones he did NOT include, that I'm thinking about are:
Jarvis Christian College www.jarvis.edu
Simpson College www.simpsonca.edu
La Sierra University www.lasierra.edu

Marry Harbor Baylor I've already visited.. and it looked good...

Anyone know anything about these colleges??? How would I find out more about them?? How can I know which one has a better writing major/journalism major?

[jbm222]

This might be bad advice to give you, but...

College is not about doing what your parents want. It's about finding what interests you, and pursuing it. So don't go to a school just because your dad says it's nice. If your parents are paying for your schooling I understand that they'll want to have some say in where you go, but ultimately it should be your decision.

About visiting schools... It's a must. Every school looks good online, but what you see when you visit the campus is what you'll be dealing with for the next 4 years. While you're there, try to talk to as many staff members and students as possible and make careful observations. You might want to ask your self these questions... How's the physical enviroment? What are the students like? How well does the administration seem opperate? What is there to do during free time? And most importantly, do you feel comfortable and at home there?

Visit campuses is ultimately how I made my final decision. I had things narrowed down to two schools: University of Dayton, and Wright State University. On paper, one seemed only slightly better than the other. Both have decent engineering programs. Both about the same distance from my house (very important since I commute). One was going to cost an extra $2,000 a year, but had a slightly higher academic reputation.

I visited UD first. I immediately enjoyed the enviroment, before even talking to anyone. When I went to the visitors office, the staff was very friendly and helpful. The tour guide really seemed to love the school. Without my requesting it, they scheduled a meeting with the head of my program of interest. And they gave me free lunch.

WSU, I visited the very next day, UD fresh in my memory. In trying to find words to describe the enviroment, concrete quickly comes to mind. The staff in the guest office was down right rude. They made me fill out an info sheet, containing the same info I gave them online in order to schedule the tour. Then I sat in the rather uncomfortable lobby waiting for the tour guide who was 10 minutes late. The tour was boring and uniformative... here's this building, there's that one, etc. I wanted to leave before I was halfway through the tour.

Obviously, I chose UD. I started 2 weeks ago, and I love it. With you, the differences won't be quite as drastic. They'll all be private schools, probably all roughly the same size. But still, you'll see differences. You'll be able to test to see whether the schools live up to their literature. It will probably make deciding much easier.

[Andrew]

See, you gotta get a list of colleges that have what you are looking for. Price, majors, etc. After that, start praying the Prayer of Jabez daily. (if you haven't been, heretic) Once you start doing that, start asking God about one school per day. When you hear Him say yes in an audible voice. You got your school.

[Becky]

Originally Posted by Andrew03

See, you gotta get a list of colleges that have what you are looking for. Price, majors, etc. After that, start praying the Prayer of Jabez daily. (if you haven't been, heretic) Once you start doing that, start asking God about one school per day. When you hear Him say yes in an audible voice. You got your school.

GOSH you have no iDEA how badly I wish it were that easy

[Andrew]

I forgot to note that if you hear an audible voice, your school is most likely a special needs-type academy.

[humanfuelone]

I thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

Here is some food for thought from someone that has nearly completed their 2nd masters degree on something that is pointless.

Becky...you mentioned that you want to go to a christian school...that is a very broad term.

If you want to do ministry and feel the need to have a christian degree, then I would recommend going to a highly respected bible institute like my alma mater...Moody.

Even though they have a 3 year waiting list right now! That should say something to you about the quality in itself.

beyond that don't bother with a christian degree in graduate terms...

The church is a dead institution in relation to my postmodern culture....they are teaching things that are outdated, period!

WE do not need to memorize a list of topics with corresponding verses....we need to build authentic, loving, missional, relationships with one another and allow struggles and questions and fears about this journey called life.

I went to that site with the CCM major...it looks good but I have a concern.

Why would you go to that school that has a totally christian mindset when you could go to another school and do an internship with a secular company that has much more credibility?

Why is it that we feel if we are going to do music, it HAS TO BE christian labeled? I know one of my friends daughters was a producer with MTV...that was her mission field.

Let's broaden our perspectives guys and gals and not hide from the world!

Build bridges and show them what JEsus is really about...

BE IN the world but not OF the world.....too many lose the point of what JEsus was saying.

And if you feel like it would be too tough, then who are you trusting and who has the power in your life....YOU or JESUS????

build a support network before you go with godly mentors and prayer warriors!!!

Lance

[Becky]

I want to go to a Christian school because it would be dangerious for me to do otherwise. (I wont get into that, just take my word for it.. or the word of some of the other CGRers ... there the ones who'll have to pick up the mess if I didn't go to a christian school ). I'm not going into the music ministry.. I'm wanting to get a journalism degree.. or at least a writing degree.

Just because I desire to go to a christian college, doesn't mean I'm being anti the world, or that I'm not trusting Jesus. It means that I want to be TAUGHT the truth, rather then having to sift through all the junk of sience wondering which stuff is true, which is theory.