College Decisions

[die2live]

Hi everyone. I have to make a decision about which college to transfer to.

Major: Business Administration
Intended career: Not sure, but I want to work in missions, but not as an evangelist. I'd like to be the behind the scenes kind of person. I'm also considering a career in public service. I may end up working overseas.

Option 1: State University
Benefits of this choice:
-I would only have to spend two more years in college after I transfer. Possibly only one, if I take summer classes. With the other college, I would have to go an extra year to get all the required Bible classes.
-Cost. It is possible that I would have enough in savings by the time I transfer that I wouldn't have to work at all for my last few years and I would have no debt. With the other college, I would have to find a stable job and work about 30 hours a week and I would still probably end up about 10-20k in debt.
-My dad and my bro both went to this college (well, my bro is going, will graduate by the time I get there). It's a really good college academically.
-Savoring my youth. Basically, these are my last few years of childhood. If I were to go away to college, I'd be on my own and I would never have the option of returning to my childhood.

Option 2: Far away Christian college
Benefits of this choice:
-Social development. As of now, I have no close friends. In fact, I don't really have any friends at all, just acquaintances and I have determined that I am not going to get any where I'm at.
-I would have the option of pursuing a cross-cultural business administration degree, which would be awesomely helpful if I were to ever work overseas.
-I would also be able to study the Bible formally

So there you have it. Given the details I have listed, if you were me, which one would you go to if you were me? Feel free to ask if you want me to elaborate on anything. I really want to make the right decision.

ETA: The poll will close on November 10. I will be visiting college 2 at the end of October and I want to have a decision made by early November at the latest.

Thank you all!!

 

[Apollo Celestio]

You seem to be more interested in option 1. Going to a secular college will not make you forget God if your faith is genuine. I also want to do something with missions(out of the country hopefully.) But I really don't have options because I was a dirty nasty school skipper who graduated with a GED. (Good enough degree XD) I'd say no.1 only because you seem to like that more and as you say, your childhood will be over soon.(I thought it was over at 18 though. )

 

[BeautifulDestiny09]

You know, graduating with no debt would be a great thing
You are a business major and option #1 sounds like its a great school (but is it a great school for YOU??)
If you want to study the bible formally, perhaps option # 1 isn't the best option, but if you want to do something with missions, u can do that without going to a Christian college! Check out the campus ministry groups and see if they do any mission trips! I know CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) usually does some missions trips...there's always the Urbana conference, along with other student mission trips/conferences, there will be plenty of opportunities for this without going to a Christian college. Which is more important to you...finishing school in a timely manner with no debt? or studying the bible formally ?
Hope that helped!

 

[die2live]

Thank you both for your answers.

You seem to be more interested in option 1. Going to a secular college will not make you forget God if your faith is genuine. I also want to do something with missions(out of the country hopefully.) But I really don't have options because I was a dirty nasty school skipper who graduated with a GED. (Good enough degree XD) I'd say no.1 only because you seem to like that more and as you say, your childhood will be over soon.(I thought it was over at 18 though. )

Yeah, right now I'm leaning more toward option 1. But I really want to make the RIGHT decision as opposed to the most appealing one. That's why I posted this, because I wanted to get an unbiased opinion.

And by the way, if you are having a hard time getting into a good college because of your GED, try going to your community college for the first two years. In addition to be a HUGE money saver, it's a lot easier to get in to the really good colleges by transferring rather than straight of high school (or GED school).

You know, graduating with no debt would be a great thing
You are a business major and option #1 sounds like its a great school (but is it a great school for YOU??)
If you want to study the bible formally, perhaps option # 1 isn't the best option, but if you want to do something with missions, u can do that without going to a Christian college! Check out the campus ministry groups and see if they do any mission trips! I know CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) usually does some missions trips...there's always the Urbana conference, along with other student mission trips/conferences, there will be plenty of opportunities for this without going to a Christian college. Which is more important to you...finishing school in a timely manner with no debt? or studying the bible formally ?
Hope that helped!

Yeah, I actually got involved with a Baptist campus group at the community college I am going to. I've been on two spring break missions trips with them, one to Panama City Beach, Florida and the other to New Orleans. You're right, there's a lot I can do even at a secular college. And since I probably won't be doing much evangelism (more likely I'll be the behind the scenes kind of person), maybe formal Bible training isn't necessary. Good points. Thank you.

 

[seamonster]

#1 sounds like the best option. You can still get involved with a Bible club and possibly even take some Bible classes. I love attending a state college because it's still a great education, you meet a ton of people, and don't graduate with a ton of debt.

 

[bliz]

Reality check. If you want to be behind the scenes on the mission field, you need to have some needed skills. Engineering, construction and well digging come to mind, as well as medical and education. There is a business aspect to missions work, but the business folks usually work stateside.

Why are you limited to a far away Christian college?

 

[die2live]

Reality check. If you want to be behind the scenes on the mission field, you need to have some needed skills. Engineering, construction and well digging come to mind, as well as medical and education. There is a business aspect to missions work, but the business folks usually work stateside.

Why are you limited to a far away Christian college?

If by stateside you mean domestic, then that's probably what I'm aiming for. I'm not really sure where God will take me, but I'm 99% positive that my current degree is the right one. Maybe I'll try to minor or at least take some classes in something like engineering though. Thanks.

The only Christian college nearby is a Bible college (doesn't have my major). I don't think it's even an accredited college. The closest college that would serve my academic needs is about four hours away. I might be able to come home 4-5 times a year as opposed 2-3 times, but the extra times would just be weekend trips so it's not too much better. Since the other college (10 hours away) seems to serve my academic needs better (the cross-cultural option), I think I would forgo the extra two weekends in favor of having that.

 

[emmzee]

die2live, it seems like either of these two options is viable for you. Going to a secular school is not necessarily a bad thing; I entered my time at a secular university an atheist/agnostic and came out a Christian after all If the school you're going to has a Campus Crusade, Intervarsity, Navigators, etc group on campus, so much the better. If not, there's surely a Christian group of students that you can be part of. And of course, not having to work for 30 hours a week would give you more time to study God's word on your own, although it'll take disciple to do that!

[Off-topic: The quote in your sig, "So then, NONE of you can be My disciple who does not give up ALL his own possessions." seems to be from the NASB, and while generally the NASB is a reliable and closely literal translation, it doesn't seem to be an accurate translation here. When you look at Luke 14:33 in context, Jesus isn't talking about possessions, so it this translation doesn't really fit.]

 

[kittysbecute]

I voted the Christian College.
I'm planning on transferring to a Christian college in a few years. I want to do some sort of missions work when I'm done as well.
I liked the reasons you had for the Christian college, friendship and formal bible studying. Both can help. The part about it costing more is a let down though. I'm willing to do it anyway. And just pray I get lots of financial aid. Otherwise I have no idea how I'd pay it off... Though I have come to realize that God does provide when I need something.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[die2live]

die2live, it seems like either of these two options is viable for you. Going to a secular school is not necessarily a bad thing; I entered my time at a secular university an atheist/agnostic and came out a Christian after all If the school you're going to has a Campus Crusade, Intervarsity, Navigators, etc group on campus, so much the better. If not, there's surely a Christian group of students that you can be part of. And of course, not having to work for 30 hours a week would give you more time to study God's word on your own, although it'll take disciple to do that!

Thank you. I will take into consideration what you said. You're right, I can study the Bible on my own and get a good understanding of it. We'll see. Thanks

[Off-topic: The quote in your sig, "So then, NONE of you can be My disciple who does not give up ALL his own possessions." seems to be from the NASB, and while generally the NASB is a reliable and closely literal translation, it doesn't seem to be an accurate translation here. When you look at Luke 14:33 in context, Jesus isn't talking about possessions, so it this translation doesn't really fit.]

Sorry, I'm not convinced. As you can see, even just looking at my sig, Luke 14:33 is not the only passage that has helped form my beliefs on the subject. Plus, I have read the whole chapter before and it did not seem out of context. Maybe I'll have to re-read it. Thanks for the comment though. It's good to hear other perspectives.

I voted the Christian College.
I'm planning on transferring to a Christian college in a few years. I want to do some sort of missions work when I'm done as well.
I liked the reasons you had for the Christian college, friendship and formal bible studying. Both can help. The part about it costing more is a let down though. I'm willing to do it anyway. And just pray I get lots of financial aid. Otherwise I have no idea how I'd pay it off... Though I have come to realize that God does provide when I need something.

Good luck on your decision.

Thank you. You're the first who has really supported the Christian college and you have good points. The problem with financial aid for me is that I make too much money to get a good amount. I don't make nearly enough money to pay for it all, but I make too much to get financial aid. It's like a catch 22.

But, you know what? You're right. If God wants me to go to that college, he will provide a way, regardless of the obstacles I think I am facing. I just have to figure out if he is indeed calling me there or not.

 

[bliz]

What major do you want? Where, which state do you live in?

Distance is so relative. My daughter's college is 24 hours of drive time away. I have missed her horribly, but she is in the best pl;ace for her education.

 

[die2live]

My major is business administration. I live in Maryland and the Christian College is in Georgia (about 10 hours away).