Pensacola Christian College review

College Search & Selection
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<p>I've noticed some threads that are a little outdated about PCC and I felt like I should update the talk. I have gone to this school so I'm not a random person ranting about things they have "heard" about the school.
First, PCC is not for everyone, it really depends on what you can put up with.</p>

<p>I have gone to this school all 4 years and have watched it change, it still is rediculous at times with the rules but things have improved. Such, the year before I attended cell phones were not premitted outside your car or dorm room. Now you are allowed to have them just about anywhere except for in academic buildings. But that is like most schools, what teacher wants a cellphone going off in class?
Things have been changing for the better since PCC got a new president, Dr. Shoemaker, so far I like the things he has been doing. You see him a lot more so he's not just an old guy who shows up every year to tell you, you get the day off ( no offense to Dr. Horton). He gave out donuts the other day, a dozen for every room, which I admit was awesome (even if the boxes did back-up the trash chutes).
The biggest change so far that is amazing is that the commons terrace, which includes a brick wall and benches you can sit on, and the campanile, the bell tower with more benches, is now open from 7am to 10pm for mixed groups. It is so nice walking around at night and seeing actual people hanging around the school. It looks a lot more friendly and inviting.
Other things though are not so nice, girls are not permitted off campus in a mixed group unless they're 23, what's with the magic age of 23? If you are caught it is automatic expulsion. But guys, it doesn't matter what their age is, they can go off with any girl as long as she is over 23.
Girls if they are 21 or a senior are allowed to go off-campus by themselves, which is nice. But if you are a freshman, you still need a group of 3 to go.
Off-campus attire is still school-dress, which includes skirts that are not denim and no shorts. For guys, no jeans or t-shirts, only a collared shirt.
Most music is still not allowed yet, CCM is still considered "evil" even tho some songs we are allowed to sing in prayer group are "acapella" CCM songs.
Movies are not permitted, if caught you are either expelled, or receive 75 demerits and must send your computer home.
I have heard a rumor that game consoles are now allowed, but I am unsure to that.
Contact between the opposite sex is not permitted, if caught, depending on the degree of contact, you are either socialed (not premitted to speak for 2 weeks) or expelled.<br>
Stair wells and elevators are separate for each gender, but for goodness gracious people we CAN walk on the same sidewalk.<br>
The internet is heavily monitored, each student has an email, and you can email each other but images are blocked and if a keyword registers that email is blocked. But you can send and receive pictures to your mom and dad or etc.
The dress code is still strict, women are to wear shirts with modest necklines and skirts that come to your knee "cap" and for men, no cargo pants or jeans. Shirts must have a collar. There is to be no writing on a shirt unless it is a collegian shirt or PCC shirt.
Women on Sunday mornings are required to wear hose, men are required to wear a suit to every service.
Students are not permitted to go anywhere else for church, they are required to attend campus church. Which some days I can understand, churches in the Pensacola area would be flooded with students if we could go anywhere, but I would like the option to choose my own church.
The school does try to dictate your entire life, you cannot go to movies, to go off-campus with parents or relatives you must get "approval" by a fast pass. Girls and guys beaches are separate, and not allowed to speak to the apposite sex (that's a student) off-campus. The college even tries to dictate your summer, I know of some people that were expelled for "making out" over the summer at their house, the schools excuse "they didn't have the PCC spirit" since they couldn't actually expell them for what they did. All in all, its not a bad place to go to school, the academics are great and the school is undergoing the accredidation process with TRACS. If you don't mind the rules, and keep your nose down, it's easy to just live day to day. If you get a bad attitude and get irritated at absolutely everything, then yes, you will hate the school.
Things are changing, it will take time, but I can see PCC improving and following the curve of education so that students can transfer and get jobs easier. They are a little behind, but they're getting there. I didn't list everything, so if you have any questions, just reply and I'll try to answer any questions.</p>

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<p>Wow. I’ve been a college Dean of Students for 25 years, seven years of which were spent at a Christian campus. College is supposed to provide an opportunity for students to learn how to think critically, make informed decisions, and critique the choices they make. PCC’s approach violates every concept of higher education that defines the field.</p>

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<p>I wonder how many students choose to go here (after comparing other schools) vs how many parents choose it for their kids.</p>

<p>It definitely would not have been a good fit for me, nor my kids (and two of mine want Christian schools, but they were really turned off by PCC’s policies - legalism is the word that came to mind), but… </p>

<p>To each their own. I just hope it is the kids choosing it after comparing other schools.</p>

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<p>It’s important to remember the accreditation issues (and type) which can affect transfers, grad school admission and more. TRACS is not regional accrediting organization. There are grads who do move forward to other schools, but one should be aware.</p>

<p>I have relatives and their spouses who went there- and they are wonderful young adults. They have faced this problem in job seeking and an international internship opportunity.</p>

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<p>PCC sounds like an incredibly anachronistic experience today. Do students willingly attend or are they forced to attend by family or family tradition?</p>

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<p>What is the story about “eye babies?”</p>

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<p>@Dansen
Sorry for the wait on the reply I haven’t checked this recently.</p>

<p>Eye Babies are quite… peculiar on campus. It was dubbed that nickname because of how it really does look. Since contact is not permitted, some couples resort to staring into each others eyes inches away from each other. Sometimes it’s hilarious to see, other times it’s disturbing.</p>

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<p>That sounds…wrong</p>

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<p>You missed it. In the first paragraph the original poster stated that PCC is not for everyone. Since you were affiliated with a Christian college for seven years, you are aware of the different philosophies of ministry that exist, and that extends to colleges that are ministerial in nature, too. (Of course, PCC is not limited to ministerial students, in the strictest sense, but those who attend view their work life as a ministry, whatever the vocation. If someone does enroll there without that mindset, then they have chosen the wrong school.)</p>

<p>Regarding your comment on the purpose of college as a place to learn to think critically, make informed choices, and critique the choices they make - nothing the original poster stated violates these criteria. All OP stated was regarding code of conduct and dress code. Hopefully students are not trying to learn critical thinking skills by analyzing the dress code. This world poses too many genuinely difficult decisions for one to become mired in a discussion of haricuts and hemlines. Let’s not forget that one of the reasons one would attend a Christian college should be to learn more about the individual’s realationship to and responsibility before God. Your criteria of thinking critically, etc would most appropriately be applied to this aspect of a Christian college. </p>

<p>Finally, “PCC’s approach violates every concept of higher education that defines the field.” Doesn’t that seem like a bit of an over-generalization of an entire college? I can tell you that, based on the PCC graduates that I have known (many), PCC is doing a fine job educating and training young people to become responsible, capable, reasonable adults. If you don’t like what you have heard about the school, then of course, don’t attend and don’t send your children. Why not focus on helping to build up the schools that you do support? They would probably appreciate the effort.</p>

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<p>But the college buckles down on the students like its 1984. Is that not scary? And it sounds like a college of a cult considering students arent permitted to watch movies, or listen to music like contemporary Christian Music. That means no Casting crowns, mercyme, or Stephen Curtis Chapman. Quite possibly, not even Christ Tomlin! </p>

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<p>Yep! Sounds like a great school!</p>

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Don’t spend too long looking in a mirror!</p>

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<p>Once again, some unhappy child is angry at PCC. I never cease to be amazed at how many students are unhappy with PCC, but manage to stay there until they graduate. Sounds like a bunch of whiners who are afraid to enroll at some other school. Makes you wonder.</p>

<p>However, let me say this about PCC. Two weeks ago, at midnight, my son and almost 3000 other PCC students had a midnight 5K run to raise money for missions. They brought in about $30,000. Midnight…on a college campus…raising money for missions. I wonder - but not long - what is going on at midnight on most college campuses ! </p>

<p>My son is a freshman at PCC in pre-Pharmacy. He chose PCC on his own, as did I when I attended there in the 1980s. I attended several semesters at a public college - and endured the drunken room mates, the agnostic teachers, and the immoral lifestyle of the students. I thank God that PCC was there for me - and is still there for my son. </p>

<p>If you don’t like the rules, if you don’t like the emphasis on God, if you don’t like the philosophy of PCC - then please, GO ELSEWHERE. Just don’t try to destroy an institution that has stood strong for Conservative Christian values for decades.</p>

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<p>I understand where you are coming from PCCgrad. It most definately is not a school for everyone. It is a school that is for a few students who wish to live by its codes and rules.<br>
most of the comments here are just shocked at how strict many of the rules are</p>

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<p>This is what we all agree on - PLUS many should note that PCC is not accredited in many areas and that could have impact on future transfers and/or jobs where employers care.</p>

<p>Knowledge going in is important in order to make an informed decision based upon fit and goals.</p>

<p>FWIW, Christians at secular schools also do service projects and raise money for other groups/missions too. While it may not be the whole campus, Christians being able to do such things is not available solely at PCC.</p>

<p>My oldest is at Covenant College in GA. They also do quite a bit for missions, etc, and have acceptable accreditation and far fewer rules. </p>

<p>There are many options for Christians - any of them can be right and God pleasing.</p>

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<p>This is what saddens me up about the anti-PCC crowd. You couldn’t tell me just the great things about Covenant College, you had to take your shots at PCC. “Many should note that PCC is not accredited” (they are a candidate, and I had no problem being accepted into the Master’s Program at the University of West Florida); or “Christians being able to do such things is not available solely at PCC” (didn’t say it was - get the chip off your shoulder); and “far fewer rules.” Perhaps I could present PCC better now if I try to degrade Covenant ? Is that the procedure ?
Look, God has richly blessed PCC. I am thrilled that I had the opportunity to be a part of such a fantastic organization. Personally, I would be reluctant to criticize any institution that the Lord has used to touch tens of thousands of people for HIS cause. But you are not me, and that is why we should be glad that we have choices when it comes to academic institutions.</p>

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<p>Congrats on being able to get into West Florida. the main concern i have with PCC is that it does not have regional accreditation. Instead it is accrediated by a less know agency that many employers may not consider a good enough standard.</p>

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<p>Not quite. I’m sharing info others might want to know BEFORE they make their choices.</p>

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<p>I’m glad you were accepted, but I know (IRL) a lady who was unable to transfer any of her PCC credits into a local Bible college when she wanted a degree to teach music in our local schools. It came as a surprise to her and she felt her year at PCC was totally wasted due to it. Other parents/students should note that this is a possibility. They should not be kept in the dark because we are unwilling to share truthful happenings.</p>

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<p>These are also merely truth statements that can assist others as they find their fit. One need not go to College A simply because they feel that is the only way they can serve God. Christians can serve God anywhere. One can also decide for themselves if they want fewer rules or more rules regarding their personal lives. It’s a personal judgment call, but again, one should be informed and this board is about sharing knowledge.</p>

<p>It’s all about fit. If you liked PCC and it served you well - great. Others can make their own (informed) decisions too.</p>

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<p>Quote:I know (IRL) a lady who was unable to transfer any of her PCC credits into a local Bible college when she wanted a degree to teach music in our local schools.</p>

<p>If one wants to teach in a public school, then that person needs to get a degree from a public college. If one wants to teach in a Christian school, then that person needs to get a degree from a Christian college. I have been a Christian School teacher for 18 years. Our Christian School association has certain requirements for teacher certification. If one does not graduate from a Christian college, they have to take a number of college courses before they can be certified. If one graduates from a Christian College and wants to teach in a Public School, they will have to take courses prior to certification.</p>

<p>Other than the academic fields, there are few careers where the accreditation issue arises. The accreditation agency through which PCC will be accredited is the same as Bob Jones University, Tennessee Temple, and other well-known Christian Colleges and Universities.</p>

<p>You know one lady who had problems. I know hundreds who had no problem continuing their education (Masters/PH.D) or securing jobs in their chosen field. PCC’s (“unaccredited”) Nursing Program has been recognized as one of the top ten programs in the country by leaders in the field of nursing. Most employers want graduates who actually know how to perform their duties well and have little interest in the accreditation agency.</p>

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<p>This is absolutely not true. I work in our public high school. We have teachers here who have their degrees from Messiah, Geneva, Taylor, Eastern, and probably more, but those are some I know about. None needed additional courses beyond their undergrad degree.</p>

<p>I also know some public college graduates who work in the county Christian school and did not need additional courses.</p>

<p>Perhaps where you are is more limiting, but I doubt it on the public school aspect - except, perhaps for graduates from un-accredited places.</p>

<p>The problem with the person I know is that she wanted to transfer out of PCC after freshman year (rules got to her). NONE of her credits transferred to a Bible college. She had to start over.</p>

<p>One should be aware of those potential issues going in IMO.</p>

<p>I could be wrong, but I thought nursing was accredited at PCC…</p>

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<p>I have heard of people who graduate from PCC to only get accepted into other graduate programs of christian types and close regional publics</p>