Choosing An University To Enroll

[Paladin D]

What better place than to ask [i]yiz[/i], on Phatmass.

Today, our parish had a group of guys from Franciscan University who were visiting for a few days (who so happened to know about Phatmass). Unfortunately, our parish doesn't have a lot of people in my age group, so to see a devout group of individuals like that was inspiring and also a blessing. It got me thinking again about college, and these are my thoughts:


- I would prefer to attend a Catholic college, simply due to the fact that college life already has enough temptations, why subject myself to a more secular environment to begin with? Plus it'll be a rewarding experience to be around others in my demographic that are devoutly Catholic like myself.

- My primary goal at this point in time would to get a degree in Film, another one I'm seriously considering is Geography. These two are more practical and can be used to help me land a job in those career fields, while for example, Theology, though important it may be, isn't as practical. Someday later down the line, I would like to major in Theology however.

- Out of two Catholic universities I've looked up so far (Franciscan and Christendom), there seems to be little or nothing for Film or Geography. Why should I attend either one of these universities, just for the sake of enrolling into a Catholic environment?


So I face a dilema: attend a secular university to major in Film or Geography, or attend a Catholic university and major in something (such as Theology) that won't be as useful in a career field (unless I became a priest later down the road ).

Any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions?



[b]EDIT:[/b] While we're on the subject of Catholic universities, how does Christendom and Franciscan compare?

Edited November 1, 2007 by Paladin D

[CatholicCid]

I would say look for the best college with your major and make sure to check out the Catholic surroundings as well. I think you would be suprised at some of the strongholds found even in secular universities.
My school was secular, but first thing I did was head to the local Catholic campus Church, took a few brochures of what they offered and started going. I'd say I was at the Church nearly 2 or more hours everyday, either for Mass or for youth groups or discussion groups or just to pray.

Edited November 1, 2007 by CatholicCid

[Paladin D]

[quote name='CatholicCid' post='1412732' date='Nov 1 2007, 03:50 PM']I would say look for the best college with your major and make sure to check out the Catholic surroundings as well. I think you would be suprised at some of the strongholds found even in secular universities.
My school was secular, but first thing I did was head to the local Catholic campus Church, took a few brochures of what they offered and started going. I'd say I was at the Church nearly 2 or more hours everyday, either for Mass or for youth groups or discussion groups or just to pray.[/quote]

Kind of reminds me of Sacred Heart Cathedral (Richmond Diocese), it's located on VCU's (Virginia Commonwealth University) campus in downtown Richmond. Bunch of college students attend Mass there.

[Resurrexi]

I would recommend going to a Catholic university and majoring in something practical like math or science.

Edited November 1, 2007 by StThomasMore

[CatholicCid]

One idea - If you visit any secular universities, find the local Catholic church. Just go in, find the Priest, and just put it out there in someway like "Hello Father, I'm X. I'm currently looking at enrolling here for X. While I will be a student, my Catholic faith is very important to me. What type of things does the parish offer to help the students' spiritual growth?"

Edited November 1, 2007 by CatholicCid

[Paladin D]

[quote name='StThomasMore' post='1412739' date='Nov 1 2007, 03:59 PM']I would recommend go to a Catholic university and major in something practical like math or science.[/quote]



Besides the fact I do not have an overwhelming desire to major in math or science, geography has a wide array of job opportunities that are available (or need filling, our educational ranking on geography is alarming). With Film, it can range anywhere from being a cameraman for a local news station to being (if you're fortunate) a Director.


[quote name='CatholicCid' post='1412742' date='Nov 1 2007, 04:00 PM']One idea - If you visit any secular universities, find the local Catholic church. Just go in, find the Priest, and just put it out there in someway like "Hello Father, I'm X. I'm currently looking at enrolling here for X. While I will be a student, my Catholic faith is very important to me. What type of things does the parish offer to help the students' spiritual growth?"[/quote]

That's a good idea, thanks for the tip.

[chelsea]

I think franciscan has s film program, and you can double in theology.

I am going to franciscan in january, and my best friend is at christendom this semester. It's all about preferences. She hates her school and wants to leave. My friends at franciscan love it. Christendom is tiny, has a dress code, mass in latin, and like 6 majors. Some people like that. Steubenville is bigger (but still small), and has many more majors to choose from. Many people consider steubenville to be more charismatic. You'll find very mixed feelings about steubenville. Do a quick search on this site and you'll find threads about steubenville, and probably a few about Christendom. I've also heard that people have loved Christendom, but my only contact with the school is my friend who hates it. My second-hand knowledge should not reflect your immediate opinion of the school.

[CatholicCid]

[quote name='Paladin D' post='1412752' date='Nov 1 2007, 02:13 PM']That's a good idea, thanks for the tip.[/quote]

Due to my math class, I feel it necessary to say X=/=X in this case

[jenna311]

I've visited Steubenville twice and loved it. (And I've met several people since then who have graduated from them and loved it.)
I also know several people (only one of which I know really well though), who have absolutely loved Christendom.

I'm at a public state university. I couldn't afford to go to a Catholic university, and my parents didn't want me taking out huge loans. (Especially with being an education major, and not getting paid a lot.)

I agree with what others have posted, that you should look at the Catholic campus ministries at any school you are apply to. In my hometown, FSU has an amazing Catholic Student Union. My school has the Fellowship of Catholic University Students--we are small, but growing. Many universities have Newman Centers.

I don't think that going to a secular university means that you can't grow in your faith, and you can't have a good group of Catholics that are interested in growing in their faith. Being on a secular university offers some really good chances for evangelization to non-Catholics.

I would have loved to go to Stuebenville, but, according to my parents wishes, and because I prayed a LOT about it, I go to a state university. I love the community I have here, and I have definitely grown in my faith over the last year or so that I have been here.

God bless,
Jennifer

[hoosieranna]

[quote name='Paladin D' post='1412728' date='Nov 1 2007, 01:45 PM']What better place than to ask [i]yiz[/i], on Phatmass.

Today, our parish had a group of guys from Franciscan University who were visiting for a few days (who so happened to know about Phatmass). Unfortunately, our parish doesn't have a lot of people in my age group, so to see a devout group of individuals like that was inspiring and also a blessing. It got me thinking again about college, and these are my thoughts:
- I would prefer to attend a Catholic college, simply due to the fact that college life already has enough temptations, why subject myself to a more secular environment to begin with? Plus it'll be a rewarding experience to be around others in my demographic that are devoutly Catholic like myself.

- My primary goal at this point in time would to get a degree in Film, another one I'm seriously considering is Geography. These two are more practical and can be used to help me land a job in those career fields, while for example, Theology, though important it may be, isn't as practical. Someday later down the line, I would like to major in Theology however.

- Out of two Catholic universities I've looked up so far (Franciscan and Christendom), there seems to be little or nothing for Film or Geography. Why should I attend either one of these universities, just for the sake of enrolling into a Catholic environment?
So I face a dilema: attend a secular university to major in Film or Geography, or attend a Catholic university and major in something (such as Theology) that won't be as useful in a career field (unless I became a priest later down the road ).

Any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions?
[b]EDIT:[/b] While we're on the subject of Catholic universities, how does Christendom and Franciscan compare?[/quote]

I'm a geographer (getting my Masters in geog)! I'm so used to being the only one. Now, at last, someone else who doesn't go "Geography-that's rocks, right?"

That said, have you considered a non-Catholic Christian college with a good program in either major. I don't know about film. However, I went to a Lutheran college with a well-respected geography program. There was a decent Catholic student presence on campus. There was weekly mass-one of my prospective students wanted to go, so I took them. Catholic and secular aren't the only choices. Just a thought.

[Lena]

I like the huge amount of opportunities for diversity at my school, which is a large public school. For example, I just got back from a Día de los Muertos celebration. A few years ago, I went to a Pow-Wow. These were all required for class, but I thought they were really interesting.

At smaller schools, I bet the profs get to know you better though. There are a lot of pros and cons with each option! I never considered a Catholic college, especially since they are expensive. But, they would be a great way to meet like-minded people if that's what you're looking for.

[CatherineM]

A quick plug for the University of Alberta. A great film department and you can take geography, but it is called something different that I can't remember right now, and in the middle of campus is St. Joseph's. It is a Catholic College, within the University. It has separate men's and women's residences so you can live in a Catholic's only small dorm. It has a great theology library that I use all the time for my graduate classes, and you can easily take a minor in theology. I think the tuition runs 150-200 for international students.

[Paladin D]

Appreciate the responses, lot of good ideas and insight. Keep'em comin'!


[quote name='Nadezhda' post='1412825' date='Nov 1 2007, 07:25 PM']I'm a geographer (getting my Masters in geog)! I'm so used to being the only one. Now, at last, someone else who doesn't go "Geography-that's rocks, right?"[/quote]


Nice!

What particular branch(es) of geography do you enjoy the most? (Branches of Geography: [url="http://geography.about.com/od/studygeography/a/branchesgeog.htm?nl=1"]Click here[/url])

Using this guide, my favorite branches are more with population, urban, and regional geography. We gotta talk sometime.

[corban711]

like some of the others have recommended...i would probably recommend that you find a school that has a solid program in your major of interest. of course, going to an amazing Catholic University like Steubenville (I have had many friends graduate from there...i love that school!) would be ideal. the people you could meet and the experience it gives you is worth so much more than money could buy. however, if you are drawn to a career path that steubenville may not help you grow toward than attending there may not be the best thing for you even though it is an amazing school.

my other thought was that although i have been away from phatmass for sometime, i remember you being here when i was and even before i started posting here. while it doesn't guarantee what im about to say because i don't really know you well, my guess is that you are probably someone who is pretty strong in your faith. having a solid parish nearby or good Catholic groups on campus would be a huge benefit as others have pointed out.

Edited November 2, 2007 by corban711

[Socrates]

For whatever it's worth, there are Christendom grads who have gone into filmmaking, including several recent grads who started their own independent film company.

No, they don't teach film at Christendom, but having a liberal arts background, and majoring in English could help improve one's depth as either a screenwriter or director.
A lady came and gave a speech there once who teaches a screenwriting school in California, and was looking for recruits.

I'm not sure if they've opened yet, but apparently there's a brand-new solidly Catholic school starting in CA which is specifically for teaching film and media. I forget its name, though. Perhaps someone else here knows more about it.