Pensecola Christian College

[AndrewD88]

Has anyone been to Pensecola here, and if so, could you tell me of your experience? I am planning to go there and I was just wondering if anyone here could tell me what it's like! Thanks alot!

 

[thepinkpencil3]

no movies. at all. sorry, not my kind of college

 

[SOLDOUT4HIM]

I went up there to tour the University of West Florida (and almost went there). I saw some advertisements for it. I thought about looking into it. Maybe grad school or something.

 

[bliz]

Pensecola has a lot of rules. I'm talkin' A LOT
OF RULES. There are rules about just about everything under the sun.

Many students think that's great, and many students find that terrible. Before you decide to go, ask to see a written copy of the student handbook, and residence hall rules. If they will not give you a copy, for whatever reason, they are asking you to make a decision without all the information necessary. Insist on knowing the rules you will be expected to abide by before you make a final decision.

 

[kctate]

Pensecola has a lot of rules. I'm talkin' A LOT
OF RULES. There are rules about just about everything under the sun.

Many students think that's great, and many students find that terrible. Before you decide to go, ask to see a written copy of the student handbook, and residence hall rules. If they will not give you a copy, for whatever reason, they are asking you to make a decision without all the information necessary. Insist on knowing the rules you will be expected to abide by before you make a final decision.

I agree with this. My stepmother lived in Pensacola. She taught high school there after graduating from the University of West Florida.

 

[AndrewD88]

Well, thanks, and that reassures me. Rules are something I am looking for. I want to walk in that kind of discipline under God, and I think it would be a great experience. Thanks for your help everyone! God bless!

 

[Shannonkish]

Pensecola Christian is legalistic.

A statement on their site-- "Without meaning to be unfriendly or unkind to anyone, we feel it only fair to say that Pensacola Christian does not agree with the modern-day charismatic movement, and we believe that students who are a part of the modern-day tongues movement should seek their college education elsewhere as they would not be allowed to participate in or promote any charismatic activities."

I would be a little concerned that they do not allow you to choose your own church--
"College students that have moved to the area to attend college are not considered permanent residents and are therefore expected to attend all the services of Campus Church."

Might I suggest this site-- http://www.pensacolachristiancollege.com/rules.htm

Rules are good and can provide discipline, however PCC is way beyond extreme.

 

[Shannonkish]

"You cannot go to the public library" that is a bit extreme..

"[font=Arial, Helvetica]You may not go onto the campus of any other college in the Pensacola area"

I attended an internship, The Honor Academy, in which I was discipled beyond belief. There were rules... strict rules.. but not half as bad as the rules at PCC.

if you are wanting to grow closer to God, learn discipline, etc.... might I suggest, www.honoracademy.com
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[Shannonkish]

Also, something else to consider... PCC is NOT accredited... which is a HUGE deal. I would NOT suggest attending a college that is not accredited.

I would suggest looking at http://www.worldwidelearn.com/accreditation/ which discusses the importance of accreditation.

 

[Inperfected]

Um stop planning... REad the link to the rules, and you will have your answer...

This is control not discipline and rules... At 5 my parents wouldn't have gotten away with giving me such strict rules!!!

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Not for me...

a) I'm over 21. Therefore an adult, and able to make my own decisions. A place like this does not prove conducive to that.

b) Seperating women and men is not going to stop what they are trying to stop. It will cause more problems than benefits.

c) It's not accredited (actually I should have put this one first).

But if you feel led to do it? Go ahead and see...

Just read the handbook! (if you can get through the 50 odd pages)...

http://www.pensacolachristiancollege.com/resources/pcchandbook2001.txt

Sasch

ps. No movies? No Christian rock? Never being able to talk to men or socialise? ummm...

 

[No Swansong]

Not for me...

a) I'm over 21. Therefore an adult, and able to make my own decisions. A place like this does not prove conducive to that.

b) Seperating women and men is not going to stop what they are trying to stop. It will cause more problems than benefits.

c) It's not accredited (actually I should have put this one first).

But if you feel led to do it? Go ahead and see...

Just read the handbook! (if you can get through the 50 odd pages)...

http://www.pensacolachristiancollege.com/resources/pcchandbook2001.txt

Sasch

ps. No movies? No Christian rock? Never being able to talk to men or socialise? ummm...

I agree that PCC is not for everyone but it can be right for some people. The reason they make their rules clear is so people know what they are getting into. I personally would not have attended PCC, but not because of their rules. I don't agree with their doctrinal statement and I required an advanced degree which would have been very difficult to complete without graduation from an accredited undergraduate school.
I do know graduates of PCC who are ministers who believe that PCC prepared them well to be preachers. They are very good preachers who communicate effectively and have strong doctrine.
As for not letting their students date they certainly aren't the only school with that practice. I would also add that dating while in college is not always good. At least what modern culture identifies as dating. And I would strongly disagree with Sascha's comment about not letting students date not being effective. Statistically it works very well. For those schools who have reported such incidents most schools who prevent dating have a low occurrence of female students leaving school because of pregnancy. Segregation except for group social events is an effective tool to prevent sexual activity. There are many reasons why this works besides simple physical separation. One such reason being the qualities of the students that this type of school attracts. Obviously there are going to be exceptions to every rule.
If you are pursuing a calling that doesn't require an accredited degree. (admittedly very few) and if you are willing to embrace the rules of the college I don't see any reason why you shouldn't consider PCC. But again remember this comes from someone who did not attend the school. I will be praying for your decision.

 

[ProfessorMark]

My son begins his senior year at Pensacola this fall (Medai Broadcasting major), and I can say that after visiting the campus a number of times, I love it! My son is excited about taking his knowledge and experience out into the job market next year. He has told me he thinks some of the rules on campus are rather silly, but hey, who hasn't thought that perhaps some of the rules at your job or school is rather silly. All in all, I think PCC is far better than some of the other Christian colleges out there IMO.

 

[Shannonkish]

he reason they make their rules clear is so people know what they are getting into.

The rules aren't clear though... PCC will not give you a list of rules until you are ready to sign your life away.

Mark, I would be interested to see what kind of job he will land with an unaccredited degree.

As for rules... sure, there are some rules at work that I find pointless... but, the difference is there are maybe 3 rules at work which I find pointless... I find the whole list of rules at PCC pointless.

I attended Union University... a Christian (conservative, southern baptist) university that is both accredited and highly exceptional! Yes, Union had some rules that I thought were pointless.. however, I understood the reason for the rules... and Union was NOT legalistic as opposed to PCC.

 

[Shannonkish]

Segregation except for group social events is an effective tool to prevent sexual activity.

it is? Interesting, but I don't buy it.

If someone is going to have sex, this rule will not prevent it from happening. There are ways around the rules. I am of the opinion that morality is not something you can regulate. You can put up barriers that will decrease the liklihood of immorality, but rules have never stopped something from happening. Take for example the legality of marijuana... though currently illegal, how many kids do you think have access to it? In my rural neighborhood, I can name about 100 of them (by first and last name) that I know of... and I am sure there are more.

 

[No Swansong]

The rules aren't clear though... PCC will not give you a list of rules until you are ready to sign your life away.

Actually this isn't true you simply must request them. This also leads me to the question if they are so hard to get how do you have them?

Mark, I would be interested to see what kind of job he will land with an unaccredited degree.

Having been involved in human resource decision making as a team member I can say that it depends on the company but I know a few companies who believe PCC grads to be well prepared and more importantly to me I know many municipalities that don't even check on the accreditation of any College. (including the city of over a million that I live in) A more important issue as far as I am concerned is does the young person intend to seek graduate level education. This would probably be very difficult at best without an accredited degree.

As for rules... sure, there are some rules at work that I find pointless... but, the difference is there are maybe 3 rules at work which I find pointless... I find the whole list of rules at PCC pointless.

And you are not considering going there. The decision as to their pointlessness is with the individual intending to attend.

I attended Union University... a Christian (conservative, southern baptist) university that is both accredited and highly exceptional! Yes, Union had some rules that I thought were pointless.. however, I understood the reason for the rules... and Union was NOT legalistic as opposed to PCC.

Whether PCC is legalistic or not is in the eye of the beholder. However these rules may not be set up to be pharasaical but to ensure order. These are two entirely different goals. I do know that PCC is very interested in helping their youngsters to maintain a holy life, you may disagree with what holiness is, but again that does not mean that they have a legalistic bent. I have read their doctrine concerning salvation and they certainly are not legalistic there.

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[No Swansong]

it is? Interesting, but I don't buy it.

With all due respect, just because you don't buy it doesn't make it untrue. Time and again survey's have proven that segregation does decrease the occurence of pregnancy.

If someone is going to have sex, this rule will not prevent it from happening. There are ways around the rules. I am of the opinion that morality is not something you can regulate. You can put up barriers that will decrease the liklihood of immorality, but rules have never stopped something from happening. Take for example the legality of marijuana... though currently illegal, how many kids do you think have access to it? In my rural neighborhood, I can name about 100 of them (by first and last name) that I know of... and I am sure there are more.

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Agreed rules themselves can only create obstacles around which individuals must go to attain their goal but the point that I made and which I believe you must have overlooked is that physical separation is only one reason that segregation of students works. The qualities of the individual who would be drawn to such a situation plays a big part. I would assume that PCC does not draw many students who would say that the rules aren't important and that they are going to do what they want. I assume that they draw more students who have been taught the importance of authority and recoginize and honor that authority. In this case segregation works well because the student will be in fewer situations that could result in sexual activity.

Remember too, that most of these students are probably on their own and away from their parents for the first time. Many of them will not have the skills necessary to make mature decisions. A solid set of rules and regulations gives them a foundation from which to operate that will help them make the correct decision. For instance I have an 18 year old son who I trust probably more than any other human being except for my wife. I still do not allow certain activities, he cannot go out alone with a young lady. There is no physical contact except to help her into a vehicle or some such mannerly gesture and I know where he is going to be at all times. These are not rules that I set up to be "legalistic". These are rules I set up to help him avoid being in situations in which he may be tempted to compromise his sexual purity. Additionally there is no association with any individual I do not approve of. This again because of my concern for him. Not any desire to control his life.

Concerning your marijuana analogy, this actually fits my argument. Obviously those individuals have no regard for the law. The average student at PCC or some other similar Bible College (such as Hobe Sound) would not partake because he or she already has respect for the law and for authority. If they did not they would probably not be attracted to the school in the first place.

 

[bliz]

Actually this isn't true you simply must request them.

And this is my primary problem with PCC.

I have worked many years in college admissions, most of it with Christian colleges. I have heard PCC reps skirt the issue with students and their parents when they do ask:

Prospective student: "I hear PCC has a lot of rules."

PCC Rep: "Every school has rules! We have so much fun at PCC - swimming in the ocean, sports teams, blah, blah, blah..."

The question about rules was not answered. The rep knows what the kid wants to know, but does not answer the question, and diverts the student from the question. Sure, a student can still come back and ask again, but we are talking about an adult trained sales person and a high school student. Among those looking at Christian colleges, even though who notice that the question is unanswered, will usualy be too polite to point that out and ask again.

A friend of mine is a guidance counselor at a very conservative Christian school. Over this exact point, she has banned PCC from recruiting at her school. Kids stil go there, but she will not give them an audience during school hours becasue she beleives they are lying to her kids by omission.

College admissions, especially Christian college admissions counselors, need to be ever conscious of their role as counselor; they should not just be sales reps. Getting kids to your school without information they have asked for or without information they really need in order to make an informed decision is unethical. To protest "I had no idea that rules mattered to this student, they didn't ask about them!" is disingenuous. Every high school student cares about the rules! And even if they didn't, they still have every right to know the rules in advance of arriviing on campus.

It is a sad commentary when non-Christians colleges meet higher ethical standards than a Christian college does.

 

[No Swansong]

And this is my primary problem with PCC.

I have worked many years in college admissions, most of it with Christian colleges. I have heard PCC reps skirt the issue with students and their parents when they do ask:

Prospective student: "I hear PCC has a lot of rules."

PCC Rep: "Every school has rules! We have so much fun at PCC - swimming in the ocean, sports teams, blah, blah, blah..."

The question about rules was not answered. The rep knows what the kid wants to know, but does not answer the question, and diverts the student from the question. Sure, a student can still come back and ask again, but we are talking about an adult trained sales person and a high school student. Among those looking at Christian colleges, even though who notice that the question is unanswered, will usualy be too polite to point that out and ask again.

Not having personal experience myself I sought out my two pastor friends who are grads. Both of them deny this is true in any way. Neither had any problem securing a code of conduct.

A friend of mine is a guidance counselor at a very conservative Christian school. Over this exact point, she has banned PCC from recruiting at her school. Kids stil go there, but she will not give them an audience during school hours becasue she beleives they are lying to her kids by omission.

College admissions, especially Christian college admissions counselors, need to be ever conscious of their role as counselor; they should not just be sales reps. Getting kids to your school without information they have asked for or without information they really need in order to make an informed decision is unethical. To protest "I had no idea that rules mattered to this student, they didn't ask about them!" is disingenuous. Every high school student cares about the rules! And even if they didn't, they still have every right to know the rules in advance of arriviing on campus.

It is a sad commentary when non-Christians colleges meet higher ethical standards than a Christian college does.

Again I can only comment on what I was told by two who attended. And to add a little insight I have attended 3 secular Universities all of which I had to request a code of conduct from. This doesn't seem to be any different from what I have been told about PCC from two that have been there.

 

[thepinkpencil3]

OK, back to the accreditation (sp?) of PCC. How do you know if a college is accredited or not?? Thanks so much!