<p>Does anyone know anything about Gordon College? I'm very interested in it, but I don't know anyone whose been there, and I'd like to know some things that aren't going to be on the website. I'm wondering what is the vibe there? I understand it's less strict then a lot of other christian schools, but still strong academically. Also, I'm looking for a quicker/artsier school and I'm wondering if that is at all the case.... The things that draw me to it are the diverse (at least theologically) student population, the focus on service, the size, and the location. I'm planning on majoring in theater and maybe psychology too. I know it's not a well known program, but are the classes/production good? I'd love to study my art from a perspective of faith. So if you have any other info on the school or anything i mentioned in my terribly scattered message, that would be terrific!</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions!</p>
<p>hopefully someone responds to your ques. My son has a friend who has recently applyed to Gordon, so we’ll see. The weather is super cold</p>
<p>My sister is an Alumni of Gordon College, in Wenham, MA. She loved the school, made great friends, and speaks of fond memories often. The public transit up there sounded to be top notch too, for those who would like to make frequent trips in to the heart of Red Sox Nation(Boston). As a New York Yankees Fan, I might have avoided the school, though. :)</p>
<p>I applied to Gordon 2011 fall and was accepted sometime in Dec.
I got a $12000 scholarship automatically.
I heard Gordon’s one of the top ranked Christian colleges.
But I don’t know if I’ll go there, maybe if they give me more scholarship 
Good luck!
Who knows?
maybe we’ll both go there XD</p>
<p>Hello –
sorry for the delay in responding, I was having troubles with the website.
I’m actually a senior theatre arts major at Gordon (and I’ve also taken a psych elective, for what it’s worth:)
I absolutely love it. Yes, the classes are great, and yes, the productions are great too! I admit I’m biased in that regard, but I think the best recommendation I can offer is that my parents, who are really not into musicals, absolutely loved both Godspell and Into the Woods when they saw them here.
The absolute best thing about the theatre department in particular (and the campus in general) is that it’s small enough that the professors really know you, and they really care about what you’re passionate about/ want to learn. I just finished up a theatre class last semester that was offered in part because they knew that I was interested in the subject!
You will definitely get to study your art from a perspective of faith; it comes up in classes a lot. On the other hand, they don’t force anything down students’ throats, and they really respect the fact that you can glorify God in your art without the play being explicitly about Him.
I’d definitely encourage you to come visit – come see a show if at all possible – and observe a class; talk to the professors and whatever students happen to be hanging around the theatre (I can almost guarantee that someone will be, and they’ll very likely be happy to talk to you and answer questions).
Also, just another point of interest while we’re on the subject, there is a theatre club called By th’Rood which is also quite possible to get involved in. We (a friend and I started it 2 years ago) focus on doing plays (generally student-written) that we believe are important for the spiritual or social life of the campus, holding talkback sessions to help audiences deal with the issues raised, and donating admission proceeds to charity.
Other random stuff about the vibe: (hopefully this is the sort of thing you’re looking for) it’s a school that values excellence; you’ll definitely work hard here. It’s a place that tries to be very open to questions; not only are they trying to foster critical thinking but they want to provide a safe place for people to ask honest questions (about faith, life, etc.) I’d say it’s a place that gets attacked a lot spiritually, because it’s a place that has such potential to be a powerful tool in God’s hands, and that definitely doesn’t make Satan happy. I know that’s kind of a weird thing to just put out there on a blog, but I think it’s true, and I think it contributes to the very mixed vibe – a lot of good and a lot of difficulty, a lot of passion and a lot of questioning. Hope that doesn’t creep you out.
Other things… umm …
well here’s a random thing; I’d actually say it’s not “super cold” as one person mentioned – but maybe that’s just because I’m from New England and used to it. If anything would describe the weather here, I’d say breezy - not windy, but breezy – because the campus is so close to the ocean (don’t ask me in which direction, though – I never go
Sorry for the verbosity. Hope this was helpful. If you have other questions, feel free to ask – I’ll try to check this later. But definitely visit the school, and be listening to God for where He might have for you. Many blessings in your search!</p>
<p>Yes. </p>
<p>Slightly longer answer:
You need to be a Christian, but if within that context you believe in macroevolution, that’s quite fine. Some of the professors do too.</p>
<p>icesk8tz, thanks for all that great info! I really like what I see of the school in general, the only thing I’m still unsure of is how I feel about their theater program, in particular. I read on their website that they only use a blackbox theater. How do you like that? Do you feel like your training is lacking because you don’t get to work on the types of stages that are most common? Also, what types of acting methods are taught their? Do you work with things like Alexander technique and viewpoints in addition to more traditional stanislaviski based ways (ie method, meisner)? And also, how are the opportunities for theater outside the school itself, is it possible within your schedule to work with local professional theaters? Thanks so much for answering all these questions! Best of luck during your last year!</p>
<p>My d was accepted to Gordon. She is not overly religious but is spiritual. Doesn’t attend church regularly or have any formal biblical knowledge. Would she fit it? Seems like such a positive atmosphere and great for social work. Concerned that she would feel like the only one who wasn’t super religious. Any info would be helpful!</p>
<p>Maddy143, from what I’ve learned of Gordon, I don’t think that your daughter would have any problems there. Though it is Christian, the students come from a wide variety of backgrouds. Christianity is more important to some and less to others. As long as she is not offended/uncomfortable being around students who care about it, she should fit in. I especially think that she will do well if she is a more open personality type. From doing a summer program at a Christian school, I 've found that the students were VERY welcoming of people who didn’t share their views, as long as they didn’t pretend to be something they were not. So basically, if your daughter is straightforward about her own spirtual journey and uncertainity, I’m sure she will be just as much a part loved of the comunity as anyone else.</p>
<p>Hope that helps :)</p>