Friday, July 31, 2009
Colleges and Your Help!
After researching colleges for about 4 years, here we are finalizing transcripts, filling out applications and seeking God's plan for our almost senior in high school! How time flies!!! We have narrowed our search to a few colleges and I would love input from some of you. If you have any experience with the schools, I'd love to hear about it. Also, any pros or cons that you might know of pertaining to any of these colleges would be helpful. Even if you live in the town of one of these, I would love to hear about the city/town....what is the size, what are the churches like, if there is a Target and Starbucks...you know the main college necessities! We would also like to know what kind of kids are at these schools...character, service type emphasis, missions minded, a passion for God, etc. If you have any knowledge or experience with the school, we would love to know what you think! If you don't mind you can leave comments or email me at lifesongkim@gmail.com. (update...I had a typo on my email address...this one is right)
This is such a major decision for our oldest and one we do not take lightly at all...well, I guess that is how we are about everything decision, but this one especially. This is possibly where she will meet her future husband...This is where she will be discipled and taught so much about God and life...This is where she could spend the next 4 years and we want it to be the best possible place for her to live, grow, serve, and attend a Biblically sound church. All of these things are SO important to us! Oh, and also the academics...that is important, too.
We are planning which schools to visit now and would appreciate any feedback from you! Thank you so much!
Here are the schools we are considering at this point:
Bryan College
Cedarville University
Master's College
Union University
John Brown University
Samford University
Moody Bible Institute
Patrick Henry College
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
26 Comments:
Some home schooling friends of ours have two sons who attend Union Univ. They have been very pleased. The only negative thing that I know of is that her second son lost everything in the tornado that hit his dorm room.
Samford is near here. I have family who graduated from that school, though it was many years ago. It's a beautiful campus, relatively small, and I wish I had gone to school there. I made a visit, but never followed through on the application. Jenn (Only by Grace) went to school there, I think. Of course, being in the Birmingham area, it is close to all her "necessities." :) Great churches in the area, too!
I have acquaintances/friends here at Southern who attended Masters, Union, Samford, and Moody Bible. I've heard excellent things about all four, not just in the programs/academics, but in the community life as well. My counseling professor used to be on staff at Masters, and then our main systematic theology professor has a daughter at Union currently.
What field of study does your daughter want to go into? For example, I've known many students who went to Union who are now on the mission field.
Union University - husband graduated back in the day much better under Dr. David Dockery's leadership. Great Christian Studies Department - most not all would be in line with you theologically I would think.
Samford - Liberal background, like Wakeforest. Education probably good but the spiritual element I would question.
Taylor University in upland, Indiana is an excellent Christian college with a heart for missions and people. Their academics are superb. I have two friends who have enjoyed the years at Taylor. Hope this offers you another choice.
~blessings~ mama
I'm going to send a link to your blog to my Dawn. She attended Master's and worked at Union. I will tell you Hope is going to Master's :)
I went to Samford and loved it. I would have to disagree with the anonymous post about the liberal background - certainly not like Wake Forest at all! In fact, my brother discovered Doctrines of Grace while attending a Presbyterian church there in Birmingham. The spiritual element of any school is helped/hindered by the groups you get plugged into (Student Ministries, etc) and the church where you invest in for those 4 years (and there are some great churches in that area)!
Patrick Henry is up near where we live now and I've heard wonderful things about it!
I live right down the street from Union. I did not attend there but I do know several of the professors through our church and must say they are wonderful christians. Jackson has a great homeschooling group however, I do not know how many end up going to Union. Jackson is nice and small, easy to get around and fairly close to Memphis and Nashville.
Just curious ... will Gracie go to college immediately following her senior year or is she taking college courses during her senior year?
Just thinking ahead ... I have four years before we get there and we have plans for Hannah to have some dual-enrollment classes during high school but also possibly staying closer to home for her freshman year. Of course it all depends on how things change before that time comes!
I am so glad you are posting about this. I would love to pick your brain about transcripts. Did you do hers by grade level or subject? I have seen them both ways for homeschoolers. What resources did you use?
I am bookmarking this link so I can refer back to all the wonderful comments! Prayers for you all during this process.
Blessings!
Kim, we are not doing dual courses...but we have friends that have done a lot. She will have 6 college hours from symposium and worldview conference by the time she enrolls. We want her to qualify for freshman level academic scholarships, so we had to make sure and not get too ahead. Plus, Gracie wants to wait and take the classes at college. We are fine with that.
She will go to college as a freshmen(next fall). She is young for her grade so we have thought through all of the keeping her close...courtship, not wanting her to be far from us...but we have come to the conclusion that this will be good for her and she really wants to go ahead and go. She has worked so hard for it. It is the best thing for her. We are excited to see how God will work in her life and we will still be very involved. It is hard! When she was in 8th and 9th grade I would cry just thinking about college...but God has gradually allowed our hearts to be okay with it. God has a wonderful plan for her life and we are excited to see it happen. She is equipped to go out and stand strong for Christ. She is a young woman with very strong convictions and although I know some mistakes will be made, we have every confidence that she will be able to stand strong live for the Lord.
I say all of that with the knowledge and understanding that she is in God's hands...but, it is still hard for this mommy to let go. God has been kind to help us through the process so far and He will continue to give us what we need to press on. Not without tears, though!
I think it is especially hard form homeschool moms...mainly because I am so used to being together a lot. She isn't at school all day, so just her being gone from our home will be the hard part. Life is all about changes and transitions. But, it is not easy!
After years in student ministry, we have seen the end results of college! Union University is a great school. We have had many students attend, find great relationships and go on to seminary or serve in different areas, in Christian organizations or missions. We also have had a few go to Bryan college. It is a very small town with not a lot to offer, but we have heard great things about the school.
I went to seminary with Jenn (only by grace) and she went there. We have had several students attend as well with wonderful experiences.
I considered going to Bryan, had several friends who went there. It's small and very homey, not to mention God's beautiful creation all around. Two best friends from high school went there, though, and fell into the wrong crowd. As to not slander the college, because I know they have nothing to do with it, I won't go into specifics. But in light of that, I don't think I'd send my daughter there.
However, there is a great college group at www.cornerstonechurchofknoxville.org If you're in the area, don't miss the chance to check out that they're doing with the college age! God uses this ministry to change lots of hearts. It's called Vols 4 Christ and it's great!
Samford is great academically! Esp for pharmacy school. The Church at Brooks Hill is there.
I know people love Chicago and some great things go on at Moody. But a family of kids who I know from there are surprisingly liberal now... (But please know some wonderful, committed Christians I know graduated from there as well!)
I know a great young man who went to Cedarville. That's all I know about the schools! God will lead!
D
: )
Hi Kim!
Are y'all set on her going away to college? If not, we have LOVED Liberty University's online program. Our son, Joshua, will graduate this coming May. He would be happy to answer any questions y'all may have.
Samford. Dear, dear, Samford. While the campus IS beautiful and I do love Birmingham, 100% of the students I know that go there all say it is a bigger "party school" than any of the secular universities their friends go to. Sad. But, just because it is a "Christian" college, does not mean everyone who attends has been saved by the Lord.
However, I am sure there are some godly students there who passionagely pursue the Lord. Maybe your sweet daughter would be able to challenge and encourage others in their way with the Lord!!
I will pray for y'all. It is a tough decision. :)
His,
Mrs. U
Kim, I attended Union from 1993-1997 and lived in Jackson until this summer when we had to relocate for my husband's job. Union was a pivitol point in my Christian life and the Jackson community is wonderful. I can also give you the name of our wonderful church there...which has a watchcare program. My dear friend (also a Union grad) works with college students at our old church. I can also give you her name. Many tears were shed as we left Jackson this summer. It is a great community to be in. I would be glad to answer any questions you might have. My cell number is 731-571-4320. Please feel free to call. :)
Lori Raches
Hi Kim! ; ) I've been so busy that I guess I haven't realized that your daughter is so close to college. WOW! I'll pray for you to make the right decisions as a family. That is important.
BTW--the blogger w/ the second comment on here from Glory & Grace is one of my real-life best friends. She was actually a girl I mentored by default and now we are lifelong friends. Just thought you'd like to make a connection with some of your readers! ; )
Kim, I have been staying caught up with you but haven't posted a comment. Please know that I have you in my prayers as you walk your adoption journey and as always ask that the Lord grant you great peace and wisdom as you seek him.
I did want to offer my insights about colleges seeing that Samford was on your list. I recommend it highly. The atmosphere is still small enough that you can personally interact with professors and students yet the administration provides some fun aspects of a bigger university campus life. The campus life is rich with opportunities to grow spiritually. I absolutely love Birmingham and my best friend is still in the area and worked in the financial aid dept at Samford until last year so I would always enjoy stepping back onto the campus and interacting with the students. The area has plenty of shopping areas and resturaunts nearby. God used my days at Samford in an incredible way to grow me closer to him in a safe and secure environment. I found it to be a place where I could safely expand my wings and make my faith my own. It is my greatest hope and prayer that God will lead one of my children there. I would be more than happy to offer more information should you need it.
As always I am tremendously blessed by each and every entry on your blog, thank you for encouraging us along our walk.
With love,
Nichole
Hi Kim. I have read your blog for a while now and have appreciated it. I also love your links to other biblically like minded blogs.
I attended the Master's College( I am from Iowa)and actually my sister is the Director of Admissions there. That college changed my life. I had applied to other Chrisitan Colleges but the Lord had me at Master's. I graduated 12 years ago and We still live in the area. We went to Grace Community Church for 12 years and just switched to a church that is connected to the Master's campus ( Our pastor used to work at Grace community. It is called Placerita Baptist Church) Master's is really committed to a biblical worldview in any major. She'll bloom whereever God has her but I know she would be well taken care of here. Can't wait to see where you decide!
As a native of Birmingham it is locally well understood that while Samford University is a school with strong baptist roots it is now a "Christian college" in name only. While Beeson Divinity is a great seminary equipped with many wonderful, Godly instructors it is separate from the university. Students attending Samford can expect to be taught a variety worldviews, some Biblical and some decidedly unbiblical.
There are many wonderful churches in the Birmingham area near Samford. Also, shopping, restaurants, etc, are plentiful.
The social culture of Samford is heavily Greek, and frankly, isn't much different than that of a secular state university.
Samford is a good school, but I hesitate to call it a truly Christian university.
Christian in AL
Anonymous,that is what we gathered from what we have researched, also. Thanks for the info.
Looks like you have a lot of good information to consider. My experience for what it's worth.
Daughter graduated early in the year and went to a Decipleship training school in TX. called The Honor Academy prior to college. She had a great year and learned a lot in a very controlled envoirment. She is now getting ready to enter her senior year at the Univ. of Cinn. She has commuted and lived at home which has been nice. The school, very liberal and we knew that. We could not afford the private Christian colleges, even with the scholarships. This past May we graduated our daughter, Bekki, from school. (home school) She is taking the next year off to work and plans to attend school the follwing year, not sure where yet. We have friends who have done the on-line classes from Liberty Univ. with great success. We have another child in middle school this year and I am thinking Patrick Henry or Moody for her. Cedarville is not far from us, but while still a good option, has gone pretty liberal in some areas. I've recently come to the conclusion that our children will do well and grow spiritually if they chose to do so. :) Your list looks promising so have fun!! Have you visited any of the campuses??
We are visiting this fall. Union for sure...possibly master's and cedarville. Those are our top 3 right now and a lot will depend on scholarships and how Gracie likes the school.
Honestly, Master's is exactly what she/we would want(theologically) ...but there are some obstacles:
*2400 miles away, so she would have to fly to come home and have no car there. (more $$$)
*The Cost is higher and no full academic scholarships available...I think the most that is offered is half. I know it would be worth it, though.
What we like about Union:
*She could possibly get a great scholarship...praying for that. God will provide a way for where ever she goes.
* Closer to home...which does matter to us A LOT.
Theologically similar to us in most major areas. We are not Baptist...we are reformed in our beliefs with some baptistic leanings. We love the speakers for conferences that they have chosen recently. Very much like minded with us.
Gracie has not even looked at State schools...she has always said that she wants to go to a small Christian college, if possible. We are trying to help her do that. Mike and I both attended secular universities and was involved in the *Greek* life. Not that it was all bad, but we can see how we would like something different than that for our children.
I agree...God can grow her in faith no matter where she is in school...but being in a Biblically sound church and school can equip her in a powerful way to go out into the World and be a light for Christ. That is our prayer for her and her college experience.
Some of the most wholesome individuals I have hever known went to Moody Bible, and each only had wonderful things to say about it. One of them met his bride there and they became missionaries in Guatamala.
Hi Kim,
We've chatted about Cedarville before and we are headed there with Brooke this fall too. (Jeff and I graduated from there many moons ago!) Right now, Brooke's top three are Taylor, Houghton and Cedarville. Her biggest hurdle is determining WHAT she wants to study. We are all hoping God makes that clear to her soon! What is Gracie planning to pursue?
Would be fun if they both ended up at Cedarville! Maybe we could meet in person sometime.
I am feeling the weight of all the changes, decisions, etc that lie ahead this year--for Brooke and for us. It can get overwhelming! Praying for peace and strength for Gracie and for you as you guide her!
Jen
My husband and I both graduated from John Brown and got our master's degrees there. He worked for the university for 5 years (in admissions) as well and I was an intern in the counseling center. We love JBU dearly! As a non-denominational school, there are students who come from all types of churches, and we both felt like that added to our college experience in such a positive way. That season of life is a time of solidifying your faith, and JBU was a wonderful place for us to do that. We were both involved in various ministries and other extra-curriculars, and all of them place an emphasis on Head, Heart, and Hand. I'd just encourage you all to take your daughter there for a visit. She can spend the night with a student in the dorms and attend a class or two. That is really the best way to get to know a school. JBU is a small school, and Siloam is a pretty small (but wonderful) town, but Fayetteville and Rogers are so close. I think it was better for me attending college in a small town. Good luck with your search. It is such a huge decision.
I went to Cedarville my freshman year. Great school, good teaching, nice dorms, BUT stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Couldn't stand being surrounded by cornfields and no way to get to a real store. No grocery stores or CVS type stores in the little town. I was sad to leave, but couldn't take 4 years of being out in the country with no car.
We just moved from Jackson where UU is - the main negative about Jackson is the lack of good, theological sound churches. We had 2 girls live with us after the tornado and one of them had been homeschooled through middle school. Loved them both - super good Christian organizations to get involved in. My husband worked a Christian school there and a large number of his graduates go to UU. Some really neat girls - ones that I would trust my kids with for overnight trips(which is hard to find!).
#2 negative - When I went to school there, UU's education classes were not taught from a Biblical perspective. I think this is changing but still not taught from a Christian worldview.
I would also suggest Covenant College in Chattanooga/ Lookout Mountain. Wish I would have gone there!
If you want more info on UU or churches in the area, I would love to chat! My husband just finished his EDS from there and worked with lots of the administration and professors.
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