Choosing a College or University

Introduction
Know Your Student
College Now, Later, or Never
Christian or Secular?
The Secular Option
Spiritual Life on Campus
Faculty, A Valuable Resource
Investigate Housing Options
The Christian Option
When Do I Start?
Final Considerations
Addendum

Choosing a college is a decision that is becoming more difficult with the passing of time. The college years (18-22) are transition years, a time when students not only equip themselves for a vocation, but a period when they formulate convictions about faith, values, and philosophy of life. Most people don't realize that many colleges and universities seek to deliberately undermine the beliefs and values of Christian students. Will a college equip the Christian student to better serve Christ, or will it destroy his faith?

In addition, the cost of a college education is rising faster than the rate of inflation. The price of a four-year undergraduate education can range from $40,000 - $125,000, or more, depending on whether a student attends a less expensive public university or a private college or university. Therefore, parents and students should select a college with the same care that would be given to a $100,000 purchase. Choosing a college without careful preparation is gambling with the spiritual and vocational future of the prospective student.

Just how does a parent help their child decide which campus to attend? As I prepared to expand this article, I discovered that almost all of the available information on choosing a college is written from a secular perspective. Believing that Christian parents have a different set of priorities than the non-Christian community, I interviewed a number of Christian parents and educators who have been through the college selection process. Their advice is reflected in this article and helped to greatly enhance the personal observations that I have made as I studied and worked on many university campuses.

Having considered the difficulty of the decision, it's time to roll up our sleeves and begin to tackle the issue.

Know Your Student

College Now, Later, or Never

If a young person is not a serious student or is not sure what vocational field he wants to pursue, it may be best to consider rejecting or delaying the college decision until the potential student has matured. During this time the student could work in the field he or she is considering and possibly take a class or two at a community college. Another option would be to encourage the student to work with a Christian ministry in order to mature spiritually and further strengthen character skills that will help the student succeed, no matter what educational or vocational choice he or she makes. A year's wait at this stage in life can make a significant difference in a student's attitude and academic performance.

The high-school graduate who desires to pursue a career that doesn't require college, or who is a poor student, may find college to be a very poor investment of time and money. Many rewarding job and training opportunities are available through technical and vocational schools. From God's perspective, success in life is always related to character and not necessarily to intellect or college degrees. God rewards honest, hard-working people who have succeeded in the critical areas of life, whether they have a college education or not. He often blesses them with the responsibility of financial success. Businessmen frequently tell me that they have no trouble finding job applicants with grades and degrees. What is more difficult is finding an employee who exhibits consistent, godly character.

Community colleges are often a good option for the student who is struggling academically or is undecided about her educational or vocational future. They provide an opportunity for a student to mature a year or two before entering a large university. They also offer the added benefit of being more economical, allowing for more parental involvement, and providing more direct contact with the instructor. The typical community college instructor is there because he wants to teach and interact with his students. A university professor is encouraged to focus on research and publishing, often having very little time for his students. At a large university many of the entry-level classes are very large and allow for little personal contact with the instructor. They are often taught by graduate students who may not have mastered the material they teach, and often have limited instructional skills.

Christian or Secular?

The Secular Option

For reasons of necessity or choice, most students from Christian homes will end up in a secular university. It is therefore important that students and parents consider how to arrange an educational program which will result in optimal vocational training and spiritual growth. This is not an impossible task, but it will require work on the part of the student and parents. While every family may not be able to implement all of my suggestions, my goal is to provide enough options for each family to develop a personal strategy that will help to ensure a positive college experience for their Christian student.

We'll look first at investigating the spiritual opportunities on campus and then examine some questions to ask about professors and faculty.

Spiritual Life on Campus

It is also helpful to investigate the interdenominational campus ministries that are available on a prospective campus. I believe that involvement in a dynamic, evangelistic and discipleship-oriented ministry results in the most significant spiritual growth in the life of a Christian student attending a secular college or university. Campus Crusade for Christ, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, and the Navigators are examples of good ministries that are on most major secular university campuses. Each group will have a little different personality and ministry emphasis. Call some of the staff of these organizations and ask them about their programs and activities. Be sure to elicit their opinions about the spiritual climate of the campus. Ask them to recommend Christian professors or staff who would be willing to speak to you about the campus.

Faculty, A Valuable Resource

While I am on the subject of good professors, let me encourage you to seek out the committed Christian professors who are on the campus you are considering. If possible, try to identify Christian professors who are in the department or field in which your son or daughter will be concentrating. Ask them about the personality of the department, its people, their values, etc. These factors can play a major role in the way your student will look at life, his vocation, and his faith. When graduation time rolls around, Christian professors will be invaluable allies in pursuing job opportunities. They may be excellent sources for advice about potential employers who share a commitment to integrity and Christian values.

There are several places you can look to identify Christian faculty. Christian Leadership Ministries has contacts on most major universities. You can also check with local churches or student ministries such as Campus Crusade for Christ, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, or The Navigators. Student ministries are usually required to have a faculty advisor in order to be an officially recognized student organization. They naturally look to a committed Christian as their first choice. When a Christian professor is unavailable, seek out a professor who is known for his character and integrity. Look for clues that indicate that a professor will be fair and will respect the differing religious views of students.

Remember that professors, no matter how good their professional reputations, will have a profound impact on their students. We are warned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that "... bad company corrupts good morals." (Take note that this verse was written to adults, not children. Its primary application is not for child-rearing, but for choosing friends who can influence our thinking and behavior.) On the positive side, David tells us in Psalm 101 what kind of people we ought to seek out. Verse 6 says, "My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they will dwell with me; He who walks in a blameless way is the one who ministers to me" NASB. A good professor will be happy to talk with you personally or on the phone.

Investigate Housing Options

The Christian Option

How does a parent determine whether a Christian college is the genuine article? The best method I know of is to ask thoughtful questions. Look at the campus mission statement. Does the college require its faculty to sign a statement of faith? Do they require the students to attend chapel service? What programs do they offer to foster the spiritual growth of the students? Many of these questions can be answered in a phone conversation with the college admissions staff. Some questions are best asked in the context of a campus tour. When you visit the campus ask students you meet open-ended questions like "What do you like most about the campus?" and "Who is your favorite professor, and why?" Listen carefully to their answers. If students enthusiastically talk about the spiritual life of the students and professors, or speak in glowing terms about growing in their faith, you know you are on the right track.

Assuming the campus is truly Christian, there are other areas to consider when looking at the Christian college option. Does it have an excellent academic reputation? Does the college offer the specific course of study that a student may need to reach educational or vocational goals? Be sure to interview professors in the department in which your student will most likely be studying. Ask them open-ended questions that allow them to talk about their relationship with God.

Christian colleges fall into two categories: Bible colleges and liberal arts colleges. Bible colleges primarily exist to train students for vocational Christian ministry. They have a limited selection of majors which usually include pastoral training, education, music ministry, etc., each with a large Bible or theology component. Christian liberal arts colleges usually offer much broader, more traditional, liberal educational options which include majors like English, history, speech, communications, education, and biology. They may require fewer Bible or theology courses. Most provide limited options for students who want to pursue a scientific or technical career like engineering or physics.

As you consider Christian colleges, remember that even the best will have some problem students who may be rebellious or luke-warm in their faith. No matter how good the college, a wise parent prays that his child will develop positive friendships that will help him grow in his faith. Don't assume that all faculty members have a vibrant faith and demonstrate it to their students. Carefully check things out.

When Do I Start?

In the freshman year of high school, it is important to enroll in a general college prep program. Begin to save and organize honors, awards, certificates of recognition and other types of references and commendations to use in a portfolio during college interviews. Sophomore year is the time to begin to evaluate your priorities and determine possible vocational aptitudes. Fall semester of the junior year is the time to prepare an initial list of possible colleges. Consider Christian and secular campus options and try to define personal and family preferences based on religious and educational values. Spring semester of the junior year is the time to narrow the list of possible colleges and send for catalogs. The summer before the senior year is the time to gather letters of reference and to finish your portfolio. Fall semester of the senior year fill out applications and schedule campus visits. Competitive scholarship interviews are scheduled in the fall and sometimes offered again in the spring. If scholarships or loans will be needed, plan to submit federal financial aid forms (available from your school's guidance counselor or a college admissions office) in late January or early February. Target May 1 of the senior year as the time to make a final decision on the college you will attend. Most schools will send out early acceptance letters to prime candidates in the fall and additional acceptance letters to later applicants around February 1.

Final Considerations

Addendum