What a Jesuit College Will Do for You
Choosing a college to attend after graduating from high school can be pretty daunting when you have so many options to choose from. But if you know that you want to go to a place where you can be challenged to achieve academic excellence, recognized for your individual talents and personality traits, and called to help others, why not consider attending a Jesuit college?
At a Jesuit college, you will be able to do all of these things and more. There are 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, spanning the entire country: from Loyola Marymount University in sunny Los Angeles to Regis University near the mountains of Denver to Fordham University in the Bronx. All 28 institutions are grounded in the religious traditions of the Society of Jesus, whose members are known as the Jesuits.
Who are the Jesuits? Jesuits are Roman Catholic priests who specialize in education, having founded hundreds of high schools and universities across the world over the past 470 years. Like many colleges and universities today, Jesuit schools are known for promoting academic excellence. But unlike many colleges and universities, Jesuit schools strive to get something more out of you. This "something" is known as the magis, Latin for "more." If you choose to attend a Jesuit college, your professors, your RAs, your coaches and even your friends will all challenge you to do more and live your life to the fullest.
In addition to the magis, Jesuit colleges promote the motto, cura personalis, Latin for "care for the person." At a Jesuit college, you won't be just another face in the crowds. You have talents that are yours and yours alone, and college is the perfect time and place for you to shine. Your professors and other administrators across Jesuit campuses care about you as an individual, and by virtue of small campus sizes, they can get to know you by name. Where else can you find that kind of personal attention?
And where else can you find countless opportunities to give back and serve your local community? Most Jesuit colleges are located in urban settings, where many people from low socioeconomic backgrounds reside near the campus. More than half of all undergraduate students at Jesuit colleges spend time volunteering to help others; in fact, during the 2009-2010 academic year, 58% of undergraduate students volunteered 3.1 million hours performing community service. Thus, the challenge to be "men and women for others" is another Jesuit motto that is truly exemplified on Jesuit college campuses.
You have a lot of options out there, and the decision about where to spend the next four years is not an easy one to make. But if these are some of the qualities that you seek for your college experience, then a Jesuit college might be just the place for you.
Editorial provided by Deanna I. Howes, Manager of Information Services, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
