Making Biblical Family Life Practical

MBFLP 94 – Choosing A College


Listen Later

Choosing a College?

If you’re planning on college for your homeschool grad-to-be, how do you make the choice? Is a Christian college the only acceptable alternative? Should they dive into the mission field of public universities? Or is there a middle ground in a conservative private school? For different reasons, our three graduates so far have ended up at all three alternatives, and we’ve learned some pros as well as cons for all of them. Join us for some thoughts about the choice of a college for your student!

Some Other Episodes On College Issues

No. 28, “Making College Visits Count”


No. 44, “Staying Christian in College”

No. 45, “Academic Success in College”

This episode of Making Biblical Family Life Practical is sponsored by Judson College.

Show Notes:
Making Biblical Family Life Practical – Episode 94: Choosing a College

Produced by the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

[Intro]

You’ve made the commitment. You’ve caught the vision. You want your family to serve God. But sometimes it’s hard to put feet to that vision.

Hal and Melanie:

Hal: Hello, I’m Hal.

Melanie: And I’m Melanie. Welcome to Episode 94 of Making Biblical Family Life Practical. As the school year begins, many high school seniors are thinking about choosing a college.

Hal: We’re there again! Our fourth child is a senior this year. We’ve navigated college choices with our older kids: one attended a large public university, another a small private liberal arts college, and another a historical Christian college. Each decision had unique reasons, pros, and cons.

Melanie: It’s important to keep an open mind during this process. Each option has distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Hal: Right. When you’re considering colleges, financial aid is crucial. Unlike years ago, when I applied to just one college, today students often apply to multiple colleges—sometimes as many as 8 to 12—because scholarships and financial aid vary greatly.

Melanie: Absolutely. We always advise our kids not to set their heart on one school until the financial aid offers arrive.

Hal: Exactly. Colleges put their best foot forward during visits, much like a dating scenario, highlighting the good and downplaying negatives.

Melanie: When selecting colleges, most should be a good match academically, financially, and ideologically. Students should also include a couple of dream schools and at least one or two “safety” schools.

Three College Options:
Choosing a Colege – Christian Colleges:

Pros:

  • Intentional integration of faith and scholarship.
  • Generally safer environment with shared Christian values.
  • Opportunities for service, missions, and discipleship.
  • Cons:

    • Financial aid often limited.
    • Some lack majors like engineering or specialized fields.
    • Complacency about spiritual life is possible due to familiarity.
    • Watch out for institutions that are Christian in name only or have become liberal.
    • Choosing a College – Public Universities:

      Pros:

      • Usually the most affordable option, especially in-state.
      • Offer a broad range of majors.
      • Larger campuses mean more social options and diverse opportunities.
      • Can encourage students to become stronger in their faith due to being in a secular environment.
      • Cons:

        • Secular environment with potential hostility towards Christian beliefs.
        • Possible social pressures and worldly lifestyles prevalent on campus.
        • Need maturity to stand firm in one’s faith.
        • Elite Private Colleges:

          Pros:

          • Often generous financial aid through large endowments.
          • Prestigious reputation can open doors professionally.
          • Close-knit community and networking opportunities.
          • Cons:

            • Potential cultural challenges, especially if you’re not financially affluent.
            • Smaller faculty means limited options to avoid problematic professors.
            • Some may have strict honor codes with ethical inconsistencies.
            • Advice for Parents:
              • Help students find a strong local church and Christian group, regardless of the college type.
              • Recognize your student’s spiritual, social, and academic maturity to choose the best environment for them.
              • Prioritize prayer and preparation; help your children become spiritually equipped warriors ready for college and life beyond.
              • The post MBFLP 94 – Choosing A College appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

                Click the icon below to listen.
                     
                ...more
                View all episodesView all episodes
                Download on the App Store

                Making Biblical Family Life PracticalBy Hal Young and Melanie Young

                • 4.9
                • 4.9
                • 4.9
                • 4.9
                • 4.9

                4.9

                98 ratings


                More shows like Making Biblical Family Life Practical

                View all
                Ultimate Homeschool Radio Show by Felice Gerwitz

                Ultimate Homeschool Radio Show

                7 Listeners

                The Homeschool Sanity Show by Melanie Wilson, PhD

                The Homeschool Sanity Show

                105 Listeners

                Homeschooling IRL by Andy and Kendra Fletcher

                Homeschooling IRL

                219 Listeners

                Vintage Homeschool Moms by Felice Gerwitz

                Vintage Homeschool Moms

                30 Listeners

                Dollars & Sense by Carol Topp

                Dollars & Sense

                9 Listeners

                The Heidi St. John Podcast by Heidi St. John

                The Heidi St. John Podcast

                3,732 Listeners

                Family Renewal by Israel Wayne

                Family Renewal

                45 Listeners

                College Prep Genius by Jean Burke

                College Prep Genius

                13 Listeners

                Read-Aloud Revival ® by Sarah Mackenzie

                Read-Aloud Revival ®

                3,343 Listeners

                Flourish at Home by Mary Jo Tate

                Flourish at Home

                5 Listeners

                Homeopathy for Mommies by Sue Meyer

                Homeopathy for Mommies

                232 Listeners

                At Home With Sally by Sally Clarkson

                At Home With Sally

                2,948 Listeners

                Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling by Sonya Shafer

                Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

                510 Listeners

                Simply Convivial: Biblical Homemaking, Homeschooling & Mom Life—Without Burnout by Mystie Winckler

                Simply Convivial: Biblical Homemaking, Homeschooling & Mom Life—Without Burnout

                314 Listeners

                The Durenda Wilson Podcast by Durenda Wilson

                The Durenda Wilson Podcast

                865 Listeners

                Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey by Blaze Podcast Network

                Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

                19,965 Listeners

                COURAGEOUS PARENTING by Isaac & Angie Tolpin -  CourageousParenting.com

                COURAGEOUS PARENTING

                2,289 Listeners

                Now That We're A Family by Elisha and Katie Voetberg

                Now That We're A Family

                1,722 Listeners

                Called To Homeschool by Meg Thomas

                Called To Homeschool

                254 Listeners

                Simple Farmhouse Life by Lisa Bass

                Simple Farmhouse Life

                2,016 Listeners

                Femina by Canon Press

                Femina

                1,411 Listeners

                Parenting with Ginger Hubbard by Ginger Hubbard

                Parenting with Ginger Hubbard

                1,249 Listeners

                Little by Little Homeschool - Homeschooling, Motherhood, Homemaking, Education, Family by Leigh Nguyen - Homeschool Mom, Homeschooling, Education, Motherhood, Homemaking, Christian Parenting

                Little by Little Homeschool - Homeschooling, Motherhood, Homemaking, Education, Family

                303 Listeners

                The Really Very Crunchy Podcast by That Sounds Fun Network

                The Really Very Crunchy Podcast

                1,073 Listeners