Roman Catholic College Niche

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I've done a lot of researching on this with no avail so I thought I'd give this forum a try. I am looking for good Catholic college that balances spirituality and education pretty well. What I mean by that is that the students take their faith seriously and their education as well.</p>

<p>I've become frustrated with the search because I run into basically three groups - these are generalizations and no offense is meant:</p>

<p>1) The more conservative colleges are high on the list, but they tend to gather crowds of people you indulge too much into drinking and partying which turns me off when I look at the overall college. </p>

<p>2) The colleges that do find a balance between spirit and education tend to be small...very small i.e. 100 to 500 students.</p>

<p>3) The more liberal colleges tend to be just that. They tend to be "Catholic in name only" and from my visits to Jesuit colleges, the students don't tend to take their faith very seriously if at all.</p>

<p>So, my question is does anyone know of any colleges that tend to be more on the moderate-conservative side, with a student population that is not drowning in alcohol, that is of a fairly medium size, that takes their faith seriously and lives it out?</p>

2

<p>Franciscan University at Steubenville (Ohio)
Seems pretty good…Check it out!</p>

3

<p>University of Dallas</p>

4

<p>Have you checked out the Newman guide to Catholic Colleges?</p>

5

<p>Franciscan is on the short list. </p>

<p>Marie, University of Dallas was one of the places I found with a good majority of heavy partying and drinking. I know that there are alternatives, but my visit there seemed to be stifled by that type of attitude. Maybe I visited on the wrong day.</p>

<p>Also, yes I have checked out the Newman Guide, its proving to be a good resource.</p>

6

<p>Oh goodness. I did not realize it was a heavy drinking culture. I have not visited the school, but considered it for my son based on my impression of the following: a strong core curriculum, focus on critical thinking skills, a Catholic identity with a capital C, and size. </p>

<p>Not to be found in the Newman guide and non sectarian, but worth a look is Hillsdale College, in MI. Many families who consider the more ‘orthodox’ Catholic colleges, have Hillsdale on their list. Rigorous academics, about 1200 students, conservative students of varying Christian denominations who seem serious about practicing their faith, accepts no federal funds and has a strong independent streak.</p>

<p>Lastly, Faith and Family magazine has their own list of recommended Catholic colleges. Most are the same as the Newman Guide, but there are a few additions. If you cannot locate the list online, let me know and I will dig out my copy for you.</p>

7

<p>I have visited and know several students who attend/graduated from U.Dallas.
While the drinking can be a turn-off, there plenty who don’t drink, and even some of the most-ultra conservative home-schooled students I know have found their niche there. All the students/grads I know are very enthusiastic about UD. (I also noticed, upon looking at the UD security report, that there appeared to be a “crackdown” on drinkers this semester). </p>

<p>The UD campus has a reputation for being very small and ugly. When I visited, it didn’t look bad. Not pretty by any means–it is a new campus without historical buildings/ambiance, but I wouldn’t call it “ugly.” Visit and see what you think. What I didn’t like was the noise from the nearby highway. One benefit–it is close to both airports.</p>

<p>Thomas Aquinas college in CA has the highest average test scores of the schools in the Newman guide (conservative Catholic schools). It has a beautiful campus. The downside it that it is small (350 students max.) and the academic program–great books, round table discussions, no majors, everyone gets a degree in the Liberal Arts–is very unusual and doesn’t appeal to everyone. It would not be a practical choice for pre-professional students or those who wanted a science/technical major.</p>

<p>I would say U. Dallas is #2 selectivity/test scores, which have gone up in the last few years. Marie, you are right about the strong core curriculum, Catholic identity, etc. Another big attraction at UD is the semester in Rome program, which almost all of the students do. My impression is that UD students tend to be smart, multi-talented and friendly. They give their profs high ratings and the profs seem to be very dedicated and involved (ditto the profs at TAC). UD also has some good merit scholarships, which Thomas Aquinas doesn’t offer (though TAC is less expensive than UD). I’d characterize the TAC students as a bit more intellectual, idealistic, (impractical?)and nerdy than the UD students. These two schools have a lot of applicants in common.</p>

<p>My D looked at several other schools in the Newman Guide and found that they were “in transition” --IMO there seems to be a conflict between recruiting athletes and recruiting excellent Catholic students.
UD has athletic teams, (no football), but they do not recruit athletes or give athletic scholarships. TAC has no sports other than student-organized soccer and basketball games, tennis if you want. I think this helps keep the atmosphere of these two schools more intellectual and academic.</p>

<p>Three students from my parish attended Franciscan U. a few years back–and they all dropped out. I don’t know why. (They were all from poor families–maybe the financial aid wasn’t good? I heard that Franciscan grads have a high debt on average). I’ve never been there, but I hear that, though conservative, it has a more “charismatic” flavor.
At TAC all the Masses are in Latin (some Novus Ordo some Tridentine Rite).</p>

<p>I can give more info. if you want to PM me.</p>

8

<p>My nephew did his Katrina semester at U Dallas and loved it. He was able to finish his art degree from Tulane there. Did wonderful sculpture work, which added to his talent as an artist.</p>

<p>Loyola New Orleans is an excellent school. The academics are great, and the students are truly “men and women for others”.</p>

<p>Another hidden gem is Christian Brothers University in Memphis.</p>

9

<p>Ave Maria University in Naples FL is a great school, started by Tom Monaghan, the Catholic founder of Dominos. </p>

<p>However, I believe it’s around 1200 students?</p>

10

<p>Any info on Benedictine College in Atchison KN? I’ve heard its comparable to UD, but I wasn’t sure about it… religious? rigorous? orthodox?</p>

11

<p>I visited Benedictine in KS with my D. The average test scores aren’t nearly as high as UD, --they have sports there, including football. There is a certain percentage of liberals and non-Catholics there. Benedictine and UD have a lot of applicants in common. It is less conservative and intellectual than UD, though I do know a number of conservative students who are happy there. It reminded me of a continuation of Catholic high school. The people seemed very nice, school spirit seemed high, and the school is “making a comeback” – it has growing enrollment and its reputation has been improving the last 10 years.
The campus is pretty, though the town is depressed. I thought the abbey church was very ugly (60s painting by altar just hideous, imo–the place is just crying for a rehab). The cost of Benedictine is very reasonable for a private school, and their financial aid is VERY generous. I know a some students who have chosen it over Dallas because of the lower cost.</p>

12

<p>

</p>

<p>Check out St Francis University in Loretto PA. It’s about 2200 students.</p>

13

<p>I know this thread is old, but in case someone stumbles upon it (as I did) I’d like this to be out there:</p>

<p>UD likes to portray itself as a “party school” sometimes to attract more students. It’s kind of lame, and it’s not as true as they say. There are the apartments across the street, where many upperclassmen live (only seniors are “allowed” to live off campus although some juniors get exceptions)–and yes, partying happens, and is frequented by underclassmen from the west side of campus. HOWEVER, on the east side, partying is not only not participated in but also highly frowned upon by most of the students. If you don’t like partying/drinking, live on the east side of campus and you will very rarely see or hear anything about it. And the students, no matter what side of campus they live on, are extremely conservative and extremely Catholic. </p>

<p>The school IS good. It’s the best academically of all the “truly Catholic” schools, besides maybe TAC, but UD has majors and is more practical for someone looking for a specific program.</p>

<p>Also, UD is FAR less expensive than TAC when you factor in merit scholarships. UD gives EVERYONE (and I mean everyone) a scholarship. I don’t know any student here without one, and they are all significant ($12,000/yr+). The figures on their website aren’t nearly as big as what they actually give. Take the ASAP at UD junior year if you can, it’s invaluable scholarship money.</p>

14

<p>I agree with ciao, except that, IMO, U. of Dallas administration does not like the party reputation, and wouldn’t use that to try to attract students. </p>

<p>So it is not the school itself, but only SOME of the students there who want to continue that “party school tradition.”</p>

15

<p>Check out John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego</p>

16

<p>I know that this thread has gone stale, but Just in case potential parents and students happen to run across it, I would like to make a comment. </p>

<p>First, I need to disclose that I graduated in 1985 - considered the stone age for most teens. Second, I would hope and assume that the campus, students, and professors have all evolved in the past 26 years to meet the needs and demands of 2011 students. However, I doubt that it has really changed that much. My post will not address my campus life back then, nor will it attempt to guess the campus life today. I want to tell those that are interested in what my classmates have become. </p>

<ol>
<li>Our best friends on campus are still our best friends today. Even if we live on opposite sides of the US, they are the ones that we call for support and laughs.</li>
<li>With the exception of one friend who married a non-Catholic, none of us are divorced.</li>
<li>Many of us became professionals: lawyers, doctors, bankers, CPAs. Some of us became teachers, professors, published writers. In my class alone we have a nun as well as a priest. And in a class that graduated a few years ahead of mine, we have a graduate who found these funny talking bass fish while traveling in China and sent a shipment home, sold them, and made millions (his company probably sold you a blow up yard decoration that everyone puts out for Christmas. </li>
<li>Our children have been raised in the Church and they have gone on to Catholic colleges. </li>
</ol>

<p>What I’m getting at is that UD alumni are not only successful, we do live the teachings of the Church. To those who claim that it is a party school, with all due respect, you are nieve. Go to a large State university, in any state, and you will see what a real party school is.</p>

17

<p>I have not heard anyone mention the Catholic University of America. Solid education, TRUE faith and ministry to the Church, great location and metro in DC, 4,500 undergrads or so. You’ll always have the partiers, but there are lots of choices and things to get involved in besides alcohol, etc. D1 transferred to CUA for soph. and senior yrs. CUA had a fabulous Fr. Bob, and they have the chaplain from Wake Forest there now. He is great. Met him at WFU where D2 goes.</p>