<p>My D just applied to Azusa Pacific due to receiving an invitation-only application (no fee, expedited admission decision). She desperately wants to attend college in CA (we live in Texas) so she is exploring all available opportunities. We know Azusa is a conservative Christian unversity but very little beyond that. I am very familiar with Baylor here in Texas (S went there for two years) so how does Azusa compare to Baylor? We are a Christian family but I am getting the vibe that Azusa is ultra-conversative. I think Baylor is a great school and we had no problem with the religious aspect of it at all (unfortunately, D is completely uninterested in attending Baylor).</p>
<p>Hi Jokahugo!
I attended Azusa Pacific for my undergraduate degree, and I’d highly recommend it. I’m not sure exactly how it compares to Baylor, but it is definitely not ultra-conservative. It is significantly less conservative than Biola, the other major Christian college in Los Angeles. Azusa Pacific is non-denominational, and while it does ask for applying students to write a statement expressing their beliefs, it does not require students to be Christians (although the vast majority are). I encountered professors from a broad range of denominations and theological stances. The stance in the religion classes was less about indoctrinating a specific theological viewpoint, and more about providing students with the tools to decide on their own beliefs.
If you are a Christian family, and your children have attended public schools so far, I would definitely recommend the Christian college experience for your daughter. It is really amazing as a young Christian to study the Bible academically, as opposed to Bible studies at church. It gives you an excellent foundation and underpinning for the rest of your faith. Additionally, the interaction with a range of other Christians, both the inspiring believers and the people who aren’t walking the talk, provides you with an unparalleled opportunity to redefine yourself in your faith, and to realize that your faith is about Jesus, not about the people who follow him!
Also, not to be crass, but it’s also an excellent opportunity for your daughter to find a mate that shares her beliefs. A lot of people end up meeting their future spouses in college, and it helps increase her chances of meeting someone who values the same things she does.
Does this help?</p>
<p>I agree with previous poster, it’s a great school! My daughter goes there, loves it. I wouldn’t call it ultra conservative either. Most of the students do see to have a strong faith, and chapel is mandatory, but campus seems to have a relaxed and accepting vibe. If your daughter is social person, I think she would like all there is to do both on and off campus. PM me if i can answer further questions.</p>
<p>Thanks for much to both you. elleleegreen, I will certainly contact you if we get further down the admissions road and it seems APU is going to be a real possibility for her. She will have to be offered a generous scholarship/financial aid package if she is going to attend college in California so this is a big “wait and see” game at this point.</p>
<p>Thanks SO much to both OF you …is what I meant!</p>
<p>I’ve worked with some professors from APU, and my impression is the same as caitylady and elleleegreen. These professors were intellectually open, caring, and active in their fields. Not really knowing much about the institution before this, I was impressed.</p>
<p>any thoughts on their BFA in screen acting? Will a graduate be “labelled” or blackballed in the entertainment industry for attending this school? If you could pick between a theatre BA at USC or APU for acting(BFA) with USC costing around $8000 more a year, where would you go, and why? I believe if you want to take a lot of acting for screen classes, you have to go the BFA route at APU as many of those classes are only available to BFA majors. Thanks :)</p>
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<p>That right there is a deal breaker! </p>
<p>I attended a private (christian) high school and it was horrible, chapel is essentially the same as church if you like church well more power too you. That said, I’m sure college is a bit different and likely you will not be required to attend chapel 5 days per week. I was raised in a christian home, but to me there is a time and place for religion “CHURCH” and a time and place for education. In primary school sure mixing God in is fine, but college I feel is about learning a trade/skill. That said, the downside of Azuza, Biola, Chapman is unlike a UC’s or CSU’s you are required to take additional religious based courses - which to an employer in the future is pointless you would be better off taking additional elective courses in your major to gain employable experience. </p>
<p>With that said it might be an interesting experience, I’d love to play the devils advocate and argue with some of religious nutjob professors. 
I know what I believe, but I like giving christians a hard time just to have fun with them. The way I see it; it’s good to know how to argue your faith. Whenever I meet someone new who tries to preach to me I give them a hard time, partly because I believe, and partly to test them :). Having attended a secular college, I can argue for the other side quite well.</p>
<p>I know a number of APU students, and one professor. They are wonderful, engaged, happy people and definitely not hard-core. They take their faith seriously but are not rigid or judgmental. I think Azusa Pacific is a wonderful school. </p>
<p>Their choral music program is second to none, IMO. You didn’t mention your daughter’s major or interests but if she has ANY interest in singing… well…they are amazing. </p>
<p>Re: mandatory chapel - this can be seen as a time of rejuvenation and a celebration of faith and community rather than a chore.</p>
<p>Not my type of place</p>
<p>I am a high school senior. I would really want to go to Azusa Pacific. It is the only school I want to apply to. What worries me is that I have a cumulative 2.5 GPA. I got a 1180 in the SAT. I recently took the ACT which I think I did better. I have taken 3 years of French but I also know Spanish. I have a medal for more than 100 service hours. I’m currently taking College Prep math and English. I’ve also done 2 years of track and field. I have been in two clubs. I am also Christian (APU is a Christian school). I want to major in nursing (RN) to become a Neonatal nurse. So I would really want to get accepted but will I? Will they accept me?</p>
Does anyone have the “normal college experience” here? Like parties and drinking and such? It seems very conservative, and ridiculous that chapel is mandatory for college students… They are adults and shouldn’t have religion forced on them, they had enough of that in their childhood lol
Generally, students attend there for the Christian values. They made their choice to attend there and they know what the expectations are. Nothing is forced upon them. Partying, drinking, smoking dope, etc. contradict Christian values.
Chapel is required, as it is where a lot of the communication about and participation in the APU community happens. However there is a very generous number of “skips” allowed. And a person’s participation level is up to them - there is usually a range, from people at the back doing homework, to bought-in kids who are getting a lot out of it. Also, there are multiple chapel experiences available to fulfill the chapel requirement, from big stadium-style seating with rock bands, to small and intimate, traditional music, etc. They also draw a huge variety of big-name Christian speakers. The chapel is a neat opportunity.