<p>Fencersmom - Sportscasters talk about "giving 110%" and I always wondered where that notion came from. Now I know - it comes from Hillsdale! (Sorry, I couldn't resist :-)</p>
<p>gadad wrote: "As a Christian who has been an administrator at a Christian college, I've learned to draw a distinction between my faith and the process of higher learning. Faith is a matter of choosing beliefs in matters for which there cannot be compelling empirical evidence."</p>
<p>As a Christian who attended a Christian college, and who has a student at a different one at present, I want to take issue with this statement. In my view, it is precisely this compartmentalization of faith and learning that a good Christian college will seek to help you overcome.</p>
<p>This will not require sacrificing intellectual inquiry -- whether this be in the hard sciences, social sciences, or whatever other field you choose -- but of asking how our Christian faith takes into account the data that we gather from "empirical study." Sometimes the empirical data lead us to change our understanding and our views; but sometimes we struggle to ask how to hold these things together. A school that prizes and nurtures this enterprise is a wonderful place.</p>
<p>But Christian schools are very different, to be sure. For example, do you have strong views on evolution? At some Christian schools you will not have to grapple with this question, as you will be told it is wrong to begin with. At other schools, evolution will be taken as a given. But you will have the opportunity to think about how your Christian faith can take this into account. GADAD is right that Christian colleges can be taken as refuges from facing hard questions; but not all take that line of approach to education either. </p>
<p>You can be stretched, intellectually, spiritually, in every way, at a Christian college, but Christian colleges also represent quite a spectrum of beliefs -- held officially by the schools themselves; by the faculty who teach there; and also by the students who attend! You do well to read the material in the catalogs; and to ask what Christian tradition a college comes from. Some colleges represent the anti-intellectual biases of much American conservative Christianity; others are much more engaged with the critical inquiry that characterizes higher scholarship.</p>
<p>Not all Christian colleges require that you be a Christian to attend. Some have required chapel; others don't. Some do not allow drinking for students of age; others do. These commitments will also reflect the traditions from which they come. You have received a number of suggestions. You might add to the list Whitworth College in Spokane, WA; Seattle Pacific, in Seattle; and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mi.</p>
<p>Best wishes to you in your search!</p>
<p>I think Wheaton in Illinois is tops in this category.
I would like to add something to what gadad said: I think the idea that Christians with strong beliefs will feel out of place at secular universities is way overstated. First, at most schools you will be able to find a fellowship of other Christians with strong beliefs--quite a few of them. Second, in most schools you can make your own decisions about drinking, drugs, sex, etc., and the pressure is not overwhelming. You might choose to live in a substance-free and/or single sex dorm, of course. But you can quite readily go to a secular college and strengthen your faith.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Higher education is a matter of studying empirical evidence where it exists and making objective decisions based on that evidence. Schools that trample that distinction and impose faith-based limits on the decisions that should be based on other evidence cannot legitimately call themselves institutions of higher learning.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What empirical evidence exists in support of the political correctness governs the landscape at many secular universities?</p>
<p>I know students who are/have attended Wheaton (IL), Grove City, Eastern University, Messiah, Calvin and Gordon.</p>
<p>As a previous poster said, Wheaton has top academic reputation. Grove City is also very highly regarded, tough to get into, and very reasonably priced. The dorms and facilities are great. A friend's son loved it here, was super involved in the radio station and all sorts of activities and is now a Physics HS teacher. My son didn't apply because it felt uniform/lacked diversity (he probably couldn't have gotten in anyway)</p>
<p>Messiah has beautiful dorms but is sort of in a bubble (isolated) and freshman can't have cars to get off campus. (A friend's son didn't like this aspect - gray/gloomy January and February seemed very long..) Many students get merit aid. It is respectable but I don't think it is an academic powerhouse. Professors are caring and committed. My daughter didn't want to go here because of too many rules. </p>
<p>Eastern University has a very nice campus and is in the suburbs of Philadelphia. It's an easy walk to the train station to take you into Phila and Amtrak train station. I know some very smart students who go there. It is a little more diverse than Messiah. Has a good Honors program.</p>
<p>Calvin - A friend's daughter (from PA) goes here and really likes it. She's quirky, dyes her hair different colors, etc. so you don't need to be a plain vanilla stereotype to feel comfortable there.</p>
<p>Gordon - A friend's son went here but ended up transferring out. It was academically tough - hard to get As. Also, some courses are taught by only one professor, and if that professor gets sick.... you're out of luck. This happened, I think, with an economics course. By the time the student had completed the many required courses, and could finally take something he wanted to take, the course (economics) was cancelled because the prof was on medical leave. That's something to look into for all small schools.... how many resources are on hand for each major/department.</p>
<p>Don't know if you are interested in the Midwest -- besides Wheaton, I've heard of Calvin, Bethel, Taylor, and Olivet Nazarene.</p>
<p>Also -- from the Taylor website: two consortiums for you to check out:</p>
<p>"CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CONSORTIUM
To provide a variety of professional and academic experiences for faculty and students, Taylor maintains membership in the Christian College Consortium that unites thirteen Christian liberal arts colleges with programs similar to those of Taylor. Included in the consortium are Asbury College, Bethel College, George Fox University, Gordon College, Greenville College, Houghton College, Wheaton College, Malone College, Messiah College, Seattle Pacific University, Trinity International University, and Westmont College.
Of special interest to Taylor students are the opportunities for semester visiting-student options on the other campuses and cooperative off-campus/international programs, For faculty there are professional development programs and opportunities for faculty grants.</p>
<p>COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Taylor University is also a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, a Washington, D.C.-based organization. Founded in 1976 with 38 members, the Council has grown to 107 members in North America and 62 affiliate institutions in 24 countries. The CCCU's primary focus is to help its member institutions pursue excellence through the effective integration of biblical faith, scholarship, and service.
The Council sponsors semester programs for qualified upperclassmen from its member schools. These offerings include the American Studies Program in Washington, D.C.; the China Studies Program; the Latin American Studies Program based in San Jose, Costa Rica; the Los Angeles Film Studies Center; the Middle East Studies Program in Cairo, Egypt; the Oxford Honours Programme; the Russian Studies Program in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Nizhni Novgorod; and the Summer Institute of Journalism in Washington, D.C. Council</a> for Christian Colleges & Universities</p>
<p>Thanks guys for all your suggestions. If anyone knows of any other Christian schools please post them here.</p>
<p>I second Westmont... very similar to Wheaton in academic focus and in an incredibly nice area of Santa Barbara.</p>
<p>USD, USF, Pacific Lutheran, Pepperdine, Santa Clara, Baylor, Sewanee.</p>
<p>St Olaf College in Northfield, MN!</p>
<p>Once again thanks for all the suggestions guys!</p>
<p>Columbia Student, USD, USF, and Santa Clara are Catholic schools. While Catholics are of course Christians, people who ask about specifically Christian schools are usually not looking at Catholic schools. (OP, correct me if I'm wrong and if you want a list of Catholic schools -- I know a lot about them.)</p>
<p>Harding in Arkansas.</p>
<p>I've visited Harding (many choir events are held there because of their awesome facilities and music program) and while the college as a whole is not for me, they have a very nice campus and a very nice music program. I can vouch for the religious devotion of students there - it is a sight to behold.</p>
<p>Since I live in Arkansas, I should also recommend Ouachita Baptist University. Lyon College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, although I am not sure of how religious the campus is.</p>
<p>dbwes, u were not mistaking I am not very interested Catholic schools.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the suggestions guys.</p>
<p>St. Olaf isn't that religious, is it?</p>
<p>Pepperdine, Hope, Calvin, Biola, Grove City, Harding are all very religiously focused, excellent colleges.</p>
<p>Does it matter which Protestant denomination? Some of the Christian schools in the south (Samford, for one) are almost all Baptist.</p>
<p>No it doesn't matter which Protestant denomination.</p>
<p>In Michigan, in addition to Hope and Calvin there is Spring Arbor. The campus at Westmont in Santa Barbara is very pretty.</p>
<p>i really suggest you take a look at Wheaton College in Illinois. Like many have said, it is the tops in terms of education and has often been referred to as the "Christian Harvard" up here in the east.</p>