Expert: Bruce - 5/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: HI,
looking for a "more selective" Christian college that's not too much of a stretch for a solid B+ average student.
Our son is a highschool soph. and we're finding it hard to find a Liberal arts college in Calif, Arz., N.Mex. or Texas that's not beneath him or too above him academically. Wanting to look at schools now to help his motivation. He's not sure of what major to pursue but is thinking about elementary phys-ed & communications. Problem with Christian colleges is that they are often off the "radar" and there's not much known about them nationwide. Have used Princeton review, Insider's guide, and U.S. news & World report, as well as campusdirt.com , and want more info & more choices !
ANSWER: Hi from New York State,

Having attended and worked at a Christian college, I'm especially happy to tackle this question.

It is true that Christian schools fly beneath the radar somewhat, many of them do enjoy a good reputation with potential employers and graduate schools. I have a high school junior at home and if he were looking for a Christian college out west, here's where I would encourage him to look, based on what I have observed and heard.

Azusa Pacific - one of the bigger Christian colleges, with programs extending to the doctoral level. Well-established and respected in the Christian college world. Should have all the majors he is looking at.

Westmont - 1200 students, good academic reputation, liberal artsy.

Point Loma Nazarene - PLN's entering student stats have climbed in recent years; great campus.

If you were interested in going north, I'd suggest:

Seattle Pacific University; highly regarded, sizable enough to have plenty of offerings, yet has a smaller school feel.

George Fox University (Orgeon) - Good reputation.

I hope that you find this helpful and that perhaps a few of these are new possibilities for you to check out.  Let me know if I can offer any more input.

bruce



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I,myself went to Messiah,while my spouse went to ASU...neither were memorably impressive.

Looked at the web sites of the colleges you mentioned and at their stats.
Do you have any personal impressions or sound bites about Azusa or Point Loma ?
Also, so you have any knowledge of Hardin Simons in Texas ?

Westmont, we are familiar with. It seems more academic (many classes require lengthy essays) so not a good match.
We want to visit the most promising colleges this fall. As New York, is a bit far away,we want to make sure we chose carefully.

Noticed that you did not mention Pepperdine or Vanguard....


ANSWER: I thought I replied to your follow up questions a few weeks ago, but is is showing up as unanswered. Can you confirm that I did reply to your second query.

Thanks.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I didn't get a reply to the last batch. we're still wondering if anyone has heard much about or had any personal contact with anyone from Hardin-Simmons,Azusa and Point Loma Nazarene.
ANSWER: Sorry for the delayed reply.

I don't know much about H-S; I think PLNU and Azusa might have potential. APU has really taken off in recent years, and I was reasonably impreesed when I was there a few years ago. PLNU has gained a lot of momentum as well. I don't think it's going to be a strenuous a program as Westmont, but still solid.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks,
What exactly did you fins impressive about APU ?
My son seems to have narrowed it down to Azusa Pacific, Point Loma Nazarene, Hardin-Simmons and Pepperdine.
Pepperdine, we'd like to discourage him from as the cost is impossible and it seems to promote a lifestyle that's  not as conducive to what we'd like our son to concentrate on...but that's only our impressions from what we've read and their website.

Answer
Good question - what impressed me about APU was a sense of momentum I got while on campus. The staff I met seemed to like working there, felt good about the place, and the students seemed happy. It also seemed like the school has meaningful & positive interaction with the larger community.
I know that academic programs there have grown and expanded in recent years, too, even to the doctoral level.

I guess it just seemed like a well-run place with a pretty positive environment that is was forward looking and student - focused.

Hope that helps.