Liberty University-Credible school?

[Anonymous]

DD attends a state school, but wants to transfer to a school that has more of a Christian focus. Not sure of Liberty's reputation. While we are Christians, we aren't hard-core, are fairly liberal-minded.

Thoughts on Liberty? Alternates (East Coast, diverse [we're black], decent size) to Liberty?

[Anonymous]

If you are fairly liberal-minded, I would stay far away from Liberty. Plus, its graduation rate is only 48% which tells me that students there are not serious about college.

[Anonymous]

Liberty is VERY religious. The campus is ok but the focus is very very strict to their own religion. If you are fairly liberal, I'm not sure its the place for you.

Maybe Bluefield?

[Anonymous]

if the republicans make a come back there will be jobs in the administration and like minded political organizations but people are not recruiting there otherwise.

[Anonymous]

West Virginia Wesleyan?

[Anonymous]

Would she consider a Catholic school? There are many good alternatives and while it might not be the same religion it would certainly be more Christian.

[Anonymous]

It's a Jesus Freak School whose graduates typically go to work in Jesus Freak industries.

[Anonymous]

We have had a lot of family friends go there and all have very successful and rewarding careers. One is a CEO of a national company, one teaches, etc. Yes, of course, it is very conservative and religious. I would check it out for yourself and not rely on this site - you are always going to get the "jesus freak" responders. How educated are they if that is the language they use?

[Anonymous]

I can't find any information about student demographics at Liberty on line. I suspect that means there are very few students of any color there, but perhaps I am being overly suspicious.

Liberty has a reputation for being very conservative, not just in a religious sense but in a political one. Your DD should have a clear understanding of the difference between the two before deciding on a school.

There are a lot of schools with strong Christian traditions that aren't necessarily politically conservative (although the student bodies at some might lean that way). Some schools have a strong Christian perspective but are more progressive politically. I think this distinction will make a HUGE difference in her college experience, so it's important to parse this carefully.

Of course, all the other elements are important to consider too: does she want big school or small? urban or rural? preprofessional or liberal arts? How selective? close to home? Honestly, there are hundreds of Christian colleges in the US, some more "Christian" than others, so to me it makes sense to think more about the other factors she wants/needs in a college and THEN to look for schools that fit those requirements that have a Christian focus.

There is a forum devoted to discussion of Christian colleges on college confidential. There is a long discussion of Liberty there, and conversations about many other colleges as well.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/christian-colleges/

[Anonymous]

PP: first PP here - I found demographics percentages with a very quick Google search, but didn't post them. I was surprised to find that Liberty was 25% black and also had a large chunk of Latino population.

[Anonymous]

Both academically and ideologically, Liberty is little different from Bob Jones University. Evolution per se isn't taught. There have been accreditation disputes. You might wish to consider Eastern Mennonite or one of the Southern Baptist Convention colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had a lot of family friends go there and all have very successful and rewarding careers. One is a CEO of a national company, one teaches, etc. Yes, of course, it is very conservative and religious. I would check it out for yourself and not rely on this site - you are always going to get the "jesus freak" responders. How educated are they if that is the language they use?

Me? I have a master's degree and am a practicing Methodist.

It's a Jesus Freak school. That's a stigma.

[Anonymous]

Before going all the way to Liberty or similar (I put Bob Jones and ORal Roberts in the same category) I would look around more at some of the conservative church-affiliated schools with less of a political reputation. The one I am familiar with that I would give as an example is Samford University in Alabama but I am sure there are other comparable schools. It is an avowedly Baptist school with strict rules (no drinking, no dancing, no opposite sex in dorms and so on) but at the same time was viewed as a "normal" college for people to go to and then move into jobs in the business world, etc. I do think Liberty carries a stigma, especially in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP: first PP here - I found demographics percentages with a very quick Google search, but didn't post them. I was surprised to find that Liberty was 25% black and also had a large chunk of Latino population.

Can you please post your source?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP: first PP here - I found demographics percentages with a very quick Google search, but didn't post them. I was surprised to find that Liberty was 25% black and also had a large chunk of Latino population.

Can you please post your source?

http://collegestats.org/college/liberty-university/admissions