<p>Calvin, Wheaton and Hope seem to have cultural differences. Wheaton has compulsory chapel and I believe Calvin has some compulsory Chapel? Hope does not. I would suggest campus visits (while classes are in session) to get a feel. D visited all 3 (along with Valparaiso, St. Olaf, and Gustavus Adolphus). She had a distinctly different reaction to each school. All 3 seem excellent for the right student but I suspect you will find one to be a better fit than the others.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Calvin doesn't have mandatory chapel.</p>
<p>rhumbob:</p>
<p>What did say about Calvin, Gustavus, and Valparaiso? I am interested in what she thinks because I am apply to all three schools.</p>
<p>rhummie ...can you lend your perspective, especially as it relates to the thread, about your visit to St. Olaf? Be interested ...</p>
<p>D wanted an environment where spritual questions were considered but is not ideologically rigid. Although she is Christian she is politically progressive. All of the schools mentioned are great for the right student. </p>
<p>Hope has active religious life. Chapel is well attended. The campus is conservative. We visited twice before she enrolled. Neither tour guide was a Christian and felt no discomfort. She tends to be on the liberal/progressive end of class discussion but it is an open and inviting environment for all points of view. </p>
<p>Calvin was a nice school. She didn't like the freeway (maybe a big main boulevard?)running through it. We were there on a visitation day. Part of it was a faculty lunch. The professor I was talking to was from California. We are from the wine country. He spoke to us wistfully about his appreciation of wine but since he is a professor at Calvin he does not drink. I don't recall other factors that made Calvin seem more rigid than Hope.</p>
<p>Gustavus, Valparaiso, and St. Olaf were at the secular end of the spectrum. D applied to all 3 along with Hope. If Wheaton is your cup of tea I don't know that you would appreciate these schools...and vice versa.</p>
<p>St. Olaf is the prettiest school we visited. The food is heads and tails above any other place we visited. For D this was a very close second to Hope. She was accepted to Hope, Valpo, Gustavus and St. Olaf. Before deciding she did overnights at Hope, Gustavus, and St. Olaf, electing not to overnight at Valpo.</p>
<p>I sound like a broken record but go visit the schools. If you are looking for a Christian school you probably have some set of criteria that only you can judge upon. D was looking for a school founded by a Christian denomination where she could get a good education and pursue her own spiritual journey as she was moved.</p>
<p>I don't understand why the faculty person at Calvin doesn't drink. They have no rules against drinking. Students are allowed to drink -- if they are of age; but there is no alcohol allowed on campus.</p>
<p>I'd guess it's a personal choice. Spiritual, moral, physical,historical, familial, emotional, medicinal ...could be any, all, none of these. Whatever 'tis, it's a personal decision, I suspect. </p>
<p>But more intriguing is your observation seemingly astounded or at least confused about why the professor does not drink. Would you care to comment, Z?</p>
<p>And Rhummie ...thanks for the insights, especially on Hope and St. Olaf.</p>
<p>Zetesis - I don't want to speak for Calvin. I made an assumption that the "no drink" policy was something Calvin faculty agreed to. Perhaps it was a personal choice and I misunderstood.</p>
<p>My d is trying to decide between Centre, Wheaton, Calvin, Hillsdale, and Grove City. Wheaton is probably her first choice, but the financial situation is much better at the other schools. She really likes Centre, but doesn't know if she'll regret not going to a Christian school. She's fairly moderate on most issues--doesn't want a party scene, though. Three months to decide!</p>
<p>WhistlePig, it was this comment in rhumbob's post: "He spoke to us wistfully about his appreciation of wine but since he is a professor at Calvin he does not drink."</p>
<p>If the prof was wistful, and enjoys a glass of wine (or beer, or whatever) there's nothing in Calvin's policies that prevent him from enjoying the same. I respect the fact that it may be his personal choice, and that's fine. Maybe I read rhumbob's post wrong, but on these issues Wheaton would be more "conservative" than Calvin.</p>
<p>haha Calvin appears to be pretty nice</p>
<p>My S is a freshman at Calvin. He LOVES it. They have an incredible engage-the-world mentality plus great academics. </p>
<p>As for distinctions from Wheaton - Calvin is much more laid back. Wheaton takes attendance at worship. At Calvin, worship is for those who really want to be there (it’s VERY well attended). Calvin is administered by the Christian Reform Church whereas Wheaton is nondenominational Protestant. Calvin is a larger school with about 4,200 students. Wheaton has more of a “name”, but Calvin is very well respected. Calvin is on the “up and coming” list of colleges on US News and World Report.</p>
<p>I’ve been very impressed with the people, the academics, and the Christian atmosphere.</p>
<p>Our older son is finishing his freshman year at Calvin. He has really enjoyed it. He is not Christian Reformed, not from Michigan and did not attend a private school, yet he has fit in tremendously and has a great group of friends. The classwork has been challenging and kept his interest. The college does a wonderful job of keeping parents informed but putting responsibility on the students. It’s a great place and we highly recommend it.</p>
<p>Dear Moricarak: Thank you for your message and congratulations on your excellent academic record! I am happy to say that your ACT score automatically qualifies you for participation in our Honors Program. You are exactly the kind of highly motivated student we seek for our honors classes, and your previous AP work is an excellent preparation for the kind of work we seek to do in honors. We will confirm that you are coded as an honors student so that you can register for an honors class any time you wish. You can find more information about spring honors classes at [Calvin</a> College - The Honors Program - Spring 2003](<a href=“http://www.calvin.edu/academic/honors/courses/springcourses.htm]Calvin”>http://www.calvin.edu/academic/honors/courses/springcourses.htm) If you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to contact me again or stop in at my office (Hiemenga 365). Welcome aboard!KB</p>
<p>Does this mean I was accepted the the Honors Program? Or am I being considered?
Also, I want to know more about the Honors dorms at Calvin… are you eligible if you are in the Honors Program?</p>
<p>I am an international student from Ghana (West Africa) who was really interested in Calvin…till I realized how financial aid is distributed. My friend was offered $6,000. Meaning, she has to come up with at least $25,000. Where I’m from, that’s impossible for most people.
Calvin prides itself on its internationally diverse student body, so I’m wondering why the financial aid is so poor, compared to to other schools.</p>
<p>its ok 10char</p>
<p>thanks 10char</p>
<p>thank you for the comments guys</p>
<p>Calvin College – Michigan</p>
<p>4,000 students – most undergrad; Division 3 Athletics; “Best” facilities! Passionate faculty!</p>
<p>Calvin is worth checking into as I found them to be disciplined & organized, welcoming; with evidence of academic success and great job and graduate school placement.
They were generous with multiple scholarships from academics to recognition for community/church involvement. Their core curriculum was the best I have seen at any college for a liberal arts foundation with real world application. Their campus and facilities are a big “wow”! Their faculty was amazingly student focused and I saw true Christian insight and depth.</p>
<p>My caution is their “reformed” identity is very denominational but they spend great efforts to say it doesn’t matter what your spiritual focus is as all “Christians” are welcome – Huh? Also without a doubt their faculty is more politically liberal than most found on Christian campuses. A great deal of emphasis is on serving the world for Christ, which is admirable but they are Bible light in their practices. Still I could not give up on this school because I saw so much wonderful and solid opportunity for students on so many levels. And as an added plus I know so many of their alumni who are spiritually grounded, passionate for the Lord, and are extremely successful in the world economy. (They love Calvin!)</p>
<p>I have been hearing that there is a slight lack of diversity due to a lot of students being of Dutch and religious background. How do students that are not Dutch or part of the church fit in with Calvin?</p>