Why Choose a Catholic College?

These are indeed challenging times for high school students. With the vast number of college options available in American higher education, many students are simply overwhelmed. In the United States there are over 5000 institutions of higher learning to choose from! What criteria will you use to make your college choice? Two-year colleges vs. four-year colleges. Public vs. private. Religious vs. secular. Large or small. Colleges with sports programs and those without. Single-sex vs. co-ed. Expensive vs. “bargain” schools. Far away or just down the road. These are just a few of the factors high school students and their parents use to determine which college is the best “fit”. In my role as Dean of Admissions at a Catholic college, I work with students who have chosen to attend a Roman Catholic institution. What does that mean in the marketplace? What do such colleges and universities provide which distinguishes them? How are we different? Why do students choose to attend a Catholic college?

The primary answer to my questions revolves around the matter of faith. Pope John Paul II spoke of faith and reason being the two wings upon which a person ascends in her search for truth. Certainly, you attend a university to learn history, business economics and engineering, that is, to gain “reason,“ or knowledge. You expect to learn from experts and leave equipped with the skills needed to be successful in modern society, to provide for a family and to achieve your personal goals. The founders of the earliest universities in the Western world such as those in Paris, Bologna and Salamanca were often religious people who believed in the interconnectedness of academic knowledge and faith formation. It is these early models (most of which exist to this day) that we as Catholic administrators seek to emulate in building academic programs and shaping college communities. Catholic universities are outstanding academic institutions where the pursuit of faith is heartily encouraged.

Other points to consider:

• Over 700,000 students attend Catholic colleges in the United States! There are nearly 250 Catholic institutions of higher learning to choose from. They are located in nearly all states, in cities and small towns. Some of the largest enroll over 30,000 students; others have as few as 100 students. No matter what size university you are looking for and which setting you prefer, you will probably be able to find a Catholic college which fits your needs.
  
  
• The most common degree at Catholic colleges is the Bachelors degree. Associates degrees are awarded by some, and several universities offer Masters and Doctoral degrees. The list of majors available at Catholic colleges is comprehensive. You will be able to find the major and degree you desire at a Catholic university.
  
  
• A few colleges are single-sex, but most accommodate all students. The majority of students these days choose to attend co-ed colleges, but if you find yourself more comfortable in a single-sex learning environment, there is a Catholic college for you.
  
  
• Sports programs abound at Catholic colleges, often producing the best athletes in the country. If you are a college athlete or prefer to be cheering on the sidelines, most Catholic universities offer inter-collegiate and intramural sports programs to take advantage of.
  
  
• Catholic colleges welcome students of all faith backgrounds. High school students today are aware of the rich academic traditions at Catholic colleges and often seek to supplement excellent academics with solid moral and ethical development by attending Catholic institutions. Catholic colleges do not seek to indoctrinate students but rather to form the whole person. We warmly encourage all students, not just Catholics to consider Catholic higher education.
  
  
• In today’s competitive society, you must be very well prepared to enter the marketplace. Practical experiential education is a hallmark of Catholic higher learning. What does your résumé have that another job applicant’s does not? Real-world internships and opportunities for outreach, service and mission are plentiful, both domestically and internationally. Such experiences serve to enrich your educational experience and to help you be successful in your chosen career. You can find great internships and job co-ops at many Catholic schools.
  
  
• Catholic colleges are a good bargain! Compared with other private colleges, Catholic colleges very often less expensive. Nearly all colleges choose to participate in merit scholarship programs and in the awarding of federal grants and loans. Some award athletic and service scholarships.

I hope my comments help you in your college search. I encourage you to consider attending at Catholic college or university. We offer a rich diversity of size, location, and degree programs just to name a few of our many attributes. You can find just about anything you are searching for at a Catholic institution. I guarantee you will grow not only academically but as a whole person. Check out a Catholic college today!

Editorial is provided by Michael L. Gantt, Dean of Admissions, Southern Catholic College, Dawsonville, GA (pre-accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Education).