<p>Westmont is one of the better Christian colleges (academically), but it got destroyed in the Tea Fire, very sad...campus/montecito were beautiful. my brother is going to go to PLNU and he loves it...another good one is Whitworth University is Spokane, WA.</p>
<p>"I'm sure there are a great many who'd share your perception that attending a Christian college would somehow "limit yourself." Many would see college as pursuing truth, and for many that means being instructed from a Christian perspective by believers. And that it's not about experiencing the Whitman Sampler of worldviews. That's fine for some who may be searching. For those who've found the answer, well no sense dabbling with mythological messages."</p>
<p>Well, there it is in a nutshell - the reason that many people (myself, a Christian, included) don't recognize "Christian" colleges as colleges at all and have no regard for a degree from one (I'm defining a "Christian" college as one that requires teaching from a Biblical perspective; not one that's merely sponsored by a denomination). On the basis of faith - a belief in that which cannot be empirically proven - many Christian colleges have started with the assumption that they already have the "truth" and critical thought is allowed only until it bumps into that preconceived faith. This is like trying to earn a degree in Astronomy but saying "My faith teaches that the Earth is a cube and the sun revolves around it. Now teach me Astronomy, but I refuse to reconsider my cubic, geocentric Earth because my faith has already told me that it's so." That level of closed thinking just doesn't work for the rest of the world.</p>
<p>That's why the notion of "best" Christian colleges is a fallacy. Students who head off to such schools with the idea that a college is a college, are likely to be shocked some day to realize the the cost and effort they've generates no respect outside their denomination.</p>
<p>And that is where your world is small, gadad. My degree has generated respect from people outside the denomination of the Christian College I attended. Heck, my own denomination respects the degree, despite the fact that our denomination differs in belief from that of the institution I attended. I was allowed to openly dispute, argue, debate portions of the religious beliefs they taught in the classroom that differed from my own...without being degraded, losing points, or being made to feel like a monster or follower of Satan...and many of my beliefs drastically differ from that of my college institution.</p>
<p>The reason why so many Christians seek Christian colleges is because they want Biblical substance in addition to the general rhetoric that college has to offer. They are also looking for some of the safeguards which can accompany some of the more stricter Christian campuses. Not worrying about your roommate sneaking in booze or the administration turning a blind eye to campus drinking can be a huge positive factor in deciding on a college. Being able to "hang" with like-minded individuals is also a plus, especially given the obvious hatred towards those of faith.</p>
<p>Christian colleges require the same type of secular study that other non-Christian institutions require: English, History, Science, etc. Most also teach numerous theories regarding scientific beliefs. You spout that they teach things only believed by faith...but so do secular institutions. Evolution is still just a theory and hasn't been scientifically proven. The Big Bang Theory is still just a theory. Creationism is still a scientific theory. Therefore, they are all on the same playing field...none can be scientifically proven as accurate, at least at this point. </p>
<p>I also find it difficult to understand how a self-proclaimed Christian can be so against the teaching of belief by faith...how do you consider yourself a Christian (question, not accusation). It is by faith that we belief in the saving power of the Cross and death of Christ.</p>
<p>It was by faith that Columbus declared the world round and set out on his voyage. It was by faith that the early settlers established the United States as the land of plenty and freedom. We place our faith in the moral and ethical decisions of those around us. It is by faith that we make our own day-to-day decisions. Faith is found in every action, whether you believe in God or only believe in yourself.</p>
<p>Has anyone heard anything about Houghton College in New York</p>
<p>Very nice school, lovely campus.</p>
<p>P.S.
[quote]
Samford in Birmingham Alabama is a very good Christian college
[/quote]
...I believe that's where Bobby Bowden got a whole bunch of his alleged football "W's". :eek: Wasn't it known as Howard then? Just one more football factory ... ;)</p>
<p>Whistle Pig, do you know anything about their pre-med program?</p>
<p>Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky....</p>
<p>My d applied to Hillsdale (as well as Wheaton, Calvin, and GCC). How is the greek system at Hillsdale? She has not done an overnight visit there, but I would like her to.<br>
Tough decisions!</p>
<p>What do you think about Calvin? My d has applied to Calvin, Wheaton, Grove City, and Centre. Wheaton is her top choice, but they don't offer merit money. She has a scholarship at Calvin.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Calvin's a very fine notably Christian college. Some similarities w/ Wheaton, i.e. type of locale (decent suburban area...and Grand Rapids has MANY HQs for para ministries, like Wheaton), both are evangelical and generally Reformed in tradition. Calvin seems to have a stronger focus on general, vocational curricula, Wheaton more of a LAC type curricula. Student body is much more national/international @ Wheaton than Calvin. Especially if she's looking for a rich Christian experience, she's got her 4 in the correct ranking, imo.</p>
<p>I'm shocked at the limited mention of Patrick Henry. The intellectual quality of the students there rivals those of top 30 schools, and the administration has an unquestionable commitment to traditional Protestant values.</p>
<p>Pat Henry might be a fine, upcoming place. You while intellectualism might be very much like a beauty contest, your view that "The intellectual quality of the students there rivals those of top 30 schools" might be open to some challenge. Tell us more about that one, please. You apparently are much more informed about this than many, me especially. Sounds intriguing.</p>
<p>Their average enrolled freshman's SAT score is 1957, 29 on ACT. Berkeley, the top public school (21st overall) in the nation boasts 2034. It's revolutionary--take the brightest Christian (and by Christian, we mean people who truly believe in Jesus as their savior) kids in the nation and prepare them not for the ministry, but for careers of leadership in traditionally secular fields--government, law, foreign affairs, entertainment, so forth.</p>
<p>Impressive! How are they doing it?</p>
<p>My sister and BIL belong to the Church of Christ. Their kids both started out at a smaller school, I forget its name, and finished at Harding. They loved it.</p>
<p>Here's what the website tells us ...</p>
<p>
[quote]
PURCELLVILLE, VA – PHC's newest freshman class has arrived in full force, bringing with them boundless enthusiasm and an impressive academic profile. Numbering 100 strong, the Class of 2009 comes from 32 different states and one foreign country. Academically, this year's incoming class ranks among the strongest ever admitted to the College. The median SAT score for the incoming class was 1330, while the middle 50% range of SAT scores continues to climb, reaching 1250-1410 this year. These standardized scores put the College on par with some of the nation's finest colleges and universities.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Indeed, while the student numbers are small, their stats are very respectable, though not close to the "top 30" schools nationally. Impressive tho for a very young institution. I was unable to find additional information for the more current classes of '10, '11, '12, all of which are now on campus. The Princeton Review, while not the "bible" for higher ed info, is pretty substantial, fairly fair in much of the data they report, but does not include Patrick Henry, even though the college is now 8 years in existence. </p>
<p>It would be nice to know more specifics but I'm not able to find any kind of more specific profile on their site. And a profile of the entire student body.</p>
<p>More confusing is the College's accreditation. No where does it indicate it's either accredited or pursuing such from the Southern States Association, which is the regional accrediting body for colleges and universities in the Southeast. Website information is very vague, which I hope is not intended to mislead by providing less-than-more information. That tactic is used so often by so many schools, allowing people to make assumptions based upon incomplete or vaguely accurate information. Can anyone edify, expand? And does anyone know what the strategy is to recruit those seemingly decent academic students?</p>
<p>WFU is ranked 28th and it's middle 50% range is 1240-1410, so I don't know where you assume they're not close to the top 30 schools nationally. </p>
<p>And they're accredited by TRACS--"TRACS is recognized by both the United States Department of Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation."</p>
<p>So which school is WFU?</p>
<p>Wake Forest U...an excellent school with a Southern Baptist heritage. But today, it would be a monumental stretch to even inkle that it's a "Christian" college. They broke from the church 30 years ago or so. Still lots of manifestations of their days as a Baptist school. But be sure, they'd NOT want to be considered in the same breath as Wheaton, Calvin, Biola, John Brown, etc. WFU's a wonderful place, highly competitive and difficult to gain admission, terrible FA program, outstanding hoop, golf, and more recently football teams ...women's soccer too, I think? About 4500 kids. Law school, med school, b schools, some small LA grad programs. But no longer a Christian college, imo. Altho like most places, lots of Christians there.</p>