AboutBruce Expertise Choosing a college, college admission processes, admission for homeschoolers, preparing for the college interview, searching for scholarships, Christian colleges & universities, colleges in general.
Experience 22 years in higher education, including eight in admission and financial aid, 15 years interviewing students for admission and places in honors programs, academic advising, transfer counseling.
Education/Credentials BA psychology. MA Behavioral Science
Question Long term I really want to eventually earn a masters degree, but not immediatly after college. I am currently going to be a junior this fall and so I am really getting serious on this college search.
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Followup To
Question -
I have a major problem with my mom. She is downright determined I go to U of Minnesota. Its just because people at her work have gone there and have a Phd or Masters from there and work at Medtronic. I really don't want to go there because its a lot of drinking and the classes are far too large. I was looking into a Christian college where I would feel much better suited. I have found several and visited some on vacations and such as "fun" according to my mom. She doesn't believe they give a good education. The question is how to I convince my mom that I may like somewhere else for the next 4 years of my life?
Answer -
Sandra,
I can understand your situation, as I've worked at a Christian college for the past 16 years. Before answering at length, it would be helpful to know:
what year in school will you be this fall and
what is your area of interest academically and what kind of long term educational goals do you have; masters, PhD, etc?
Bruce
Answer There are a couple of issues involved here, I think.
The first is whether or not u of Minn is right for you, based on it's characteristics. You have identified a couple of key things already.
1) atmosphere. You will run into more alcohol and substance abuse at a secular college than at a Christian one, no matter how much schools try to police it. Not wanting to be subject to that in dorm life is a valid concern. I think touring a school like u of Minn with your mom would be important. I'm open to more questions. Keep me posted.
2) class size. Some students are cut out for large impersonal classes in college, but many are not. It's very possible that you might not have a true professor at a place like UMN until your junior year, whereas at a smaller private college you will have professors from the start, lots of attention, etc. Your career and grad school aspirations will not be short-circuited by attending a good Christian college. Small school generally do very well in getting their alums into careers and grad programs.
I'm a fan of small colleges for the bachelors degree and places like UMN after that. That's what those big places do best.
With regard to the academic quality of Christian schools, this is a common misperception we face. I suggest that you contact the schools of greatest interest and ask them to give you info on graduate and professional schools their alums have attended, lists of notable alumni, etc. You might also find that the freshman profile is close or better at a good Christian college as it is at UMN.
You have in your general part of the world some really good schools, like Bethel, Wheaton, Taylor - all have solid to excellent student profiles.
I think it would help if you take a couple of days and tour colleges with your mom. Mix Christian and secular, big and small. There are stark contrasts, and that might help her see them.
