Would a Christian College Be Right for Me?

There are a lot of difficult decisions in life, and choosing a college just happens to be one of the more important ones. When the time came for me to choose where I'd get my higher education, I was fairly set on attending a state university.

After my first campus visit, though, I wasn't quite sure I could call that environment "home" for four years. So with that in mind, I began to consider the possibility of attending a Christian university. I hadn't given it much thought before but realized maybe this option was the one I'd been seeking.

My only hesitation about considering a Christian college was the fear of locking myself in a "bubble" of sorts by not interacting with people who didn't share my faith in Christ. After all, aren't we supposed to be light in the world and fulfill the Great Commission? After visiting North Central University in Minneapolis, Minn., (located conveniently smack in the middle of the inner city), the real world always remained in clear view. Now, several years after my college experience, I realize a Christian college was the best choice for me.

If you're reading this, you're probably also at the place in life of struggling with the same decision. So with that in mind, here are a few factors to consider when thinking about attending a Christian college or university.

JESUS CAN BECOME YOUR SAVIOR
What? Didn't this already happen when I became a Christian? Yes, but in many cases, your faith doesn't become your own until you're away from your parents and the comfortable confines of home.

When you go to college, it's your choice whether you attend church, get involved in a Bible study or how much you listen in your required Bible classes. It's this newfound freedom that provides you with the opportunity to develop and grow in your faith.

In my experience, I finally ironed out what I believed and what I didn't. I learned about different schools of thought on theological issues (even as a journalism major) and had the opportunity to worship corporately in our required chapel services each day. While I readily admit that daily chapel got more than a little tiring, it also was a good reminder of what my priorities should be and allowed praise to be a part of my daily vocabulary.

AVOID GETTING LOST IN THE CROWD
Let's face it, when several thousand students are enrolled in a university with as many as 500-1,000 in a class, people are going to be overlooked, but in most Christian colleges, the numbers are far smaller. There's even a good chance that your academic advisor will remember your name, what you're interested in and be willing to help you choose courses that will lead down the career path that's right for you. In smaller schools, it's more about personal attention because professors actually get a chance to know students on a one-on-one basis.

A CONSTANT REMINDER TO REACH OUT
In college, it's often easy to get wrapped up in your own life: with classes, part-time work and, of course, the social aspects of friendships and dating. With all those responsibilities to juggle, losing sight of the need to serve others is easy to do. However, in a Christian university, there are always opportunities available to reach out. Not only are service projects available, but they're encouraged. That constant reminder helps some people feel more grounded in their faith and facilitates spiritual growth.

A MORE DIVERSIFIED CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
Sure, college wouldn't be college without the experience of attending your first freshman level psychology lecture; but along with your "generals" and coursework designed for your chosen major, you're able to take classes that integrate your faith. While I didn't particularly enjoy our required Pentateuch class and discussing the plagues in Leviticus at 7:10 in the morning, Bible classes provide a great foundation for your faith. Even if you've been a Christian for a long time and think you're familiar with the Bible, think again. Bible classes will challenge you, but the benefits are far greater than you might realize.

FINALLY…A FEW OF THE FRUSTRATIONS
Like all things in life, there's always a downside. It wouldn't be fair to only paint a rosy picture of what life is like at a Christian college. Just because it's labeled "Christian" doesn't mean everything is always going to be perfect. There always will be the rebellious students who are attending because their parents made them. There's also that group of girls and guys who are attending school with different non-education motives in mind (a.k.a. "ring by spring"), searching high and low for spouse material. Not that there's anything wrong with meeting your true love in college, but these kinds of people can make you feel unnecessary pressure to be thinking along those same lines.

Another factor to consider is that some schools also can have very strict policies regarding dress codes, curfews and conduct standards that you'll want make sure you understand before submitting your application. In my overall experience, I found the "pros" of attending a Christian college definitely outweighed the "cons." With all the advantages of attending a faith-based place of higher education, it's definitely an option that's worth researching further.