Bob Jones University

I studied for four years in a large and particularly famous university in the East Coast. I ‘enjoyed’ the all-American college experience there. I lived in the dorms (coed), never missed an event (no matter its nature), tasted the fraternity/sorority social interaction, and hanged out around the main-spots in BIG city surrounding the school. Try to picture yourself flip-flopping down the dorm hallway every morning still drowsy from the night before, wearing the same t-shirt and shorts you slept on, and trying to ignore the mixed stench of marihuana and beer that permeates the building. When you step out into the light, you quickly adjust to your surroundings and set out to class by conveniently walking behind a bouncy and very encouraging mini-skirt, and as you continue to daydream, you wonder if you are having as much fun in your college days as you are supposed to. ‘Cause when you go to college, they say, you MUST have lots of fun away from your parents and away from any rules! In what kind of dark, noisy and smoke filled hole will I find myself “having my fun” on that Friday night? Or, why wait until Friday? Who will I hook-up with next? Who’s the girl with the mini-skirt in front of me?

In this setting, no one cared about my character. Many say that ‘character’ is what makes the man/woman. But in virtually every university there is no interest in creating an environment conducive to building self-respect and character.

In that college, no one cared when I woke up, where I woke up, with whom I woke up, or even IF I woke up! No one cared about the trashy way I looked and lived. Issues of morality were nowhere to be found; no one cared whether I was immoral or not, not at all. My habits, even if they where dangerous or illegal, did not catch anyone’s attention. No one cared. No teaching of discipline, no enforcing of discipline, no rules! No moral or character-building examples to follow. No prayer, no chapel, no Christian teachers or classmates, no Bibles anywhere, no professionalism, no good taste, no good manners, no class. Just one enormous institution with defaced bathrooms, sleazy student entertainment, and a BIG NAME in a BIG diploma handed out without decency or honor. It was all one BIG joke!

I wasted four years of my life there! I could cry!
But then, my life and my interests changed together with my major, and I transferred to Bob Jones University! I am not in the least being sarcastic when I tell you that THIS IS THE REAL DEAL! THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED! THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT!

I, of course, could be wrong. Maybe you want to have the experience that I had before. Well, then, go to any other university and ‘live it up’! Go ahead and waste precious impressionable years of your life in a place where there are no rules because NO ONE CARES FOR YOUR CHARACTER. Go!

I have read comments made by BABIES in this website. Petty young people who are incapable of handling rules, even the silly laughable ones! Morally handicapped little children only trained to hate and to be cynical. GROW UP and learn to appreciate a school like Bob Jones University. Those instances when BJU has missed the mark do not even remotely compare with the shameful record that any other university holds, even other mediocre Christian universities.

Listen, in the society in which we live—sad to say—Bob Jones University is a “trigger-word”: mainly because George W. Bush spoke here once, because there used to be this old backward rule about inter-racial dating, and because of its Christian fundamentalist stand. So what if liberals and the press bad-mouth your school? Be a MAN/WOMAN of stature and HANDLE IT! Be proud of your school or alma-mater and be thankful that you did not attend some other college.

I cannot even begin to list all the superior qualities of BJU for I would never end. But I’ll say this: In all my many Bible classes, I have never failed to be encouraged to “develop my own convictions,” to find exactly where I stand in my own faith. I am amazed at the freedom that the students are given to search the truth in the scriptures by themselves as opposed to some kind of forceful indoctrination.

You should make a trip to BJU, meet with anybody here, maybe with any of the deans or even one of the Dr. Jones (Dr. Bob, Chancellor, or Dr. Stephen, President). When it comes to BJU, I have found out, you cannot rely on what others tell you. This is my best piece of advice, specially to those LITTLE BABIES who become so easily dumbfounded, demoralized, irritated, angry, depressed, disgusted, scandalized, indignant, and suicidal over a tiny little rule which upon breaking might earn them one or five or twenty tiny little insignificant demerits. HEY, AT LEAST SOME ONE CARES! And, yes, people do care around here. We have a very approachable president and the teachers are many times like parents to the students. IN BJ SOME ONE CARES ABOUT YOU. I care about you. But is up to you: Denigrate yourself? Or build yourself?

And, by the way, if you want to experience a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ full of grace, faith and love. GO FOR IT! But don’t be saying that you’ll find or will not find it in BJ, because it is NOT up to Bob Jones University to make sure that you experience “grace and love and joy”; it’s up to you! Walk with the Lord, SERVE OTHERS and you will be happy anywhere you are. Come to BJU with tunnel vision, only focused on how YOU feel about a couple of silly rules, and you will be miserable here and anywhere. Bob Jones University can do you a lot of good. Come and grow up in character and in joy!

Hey, I ‘gotta’ go! Call me!

3rd Year Male -- Class 2006

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: A-

My experience at BJU was positive. I was a good kid, raised in a Christian home (but not a BJ environment). i went to public school and was always acutely aware of the world around me. I expected BJU to be a spiritual "haven" of like-minded people.

It was to a degree. I loved the atmosphere, the faculty, the campus, and the academics. I also formed some great friendships at BJU with NORMAL people - guys that loved the Lord and his Word but knew how to think for themselves. These guys are now my closest friends.

The rules can be a little goofy sometimes, especially in the area of music, clothing, and going off-campus. I resented it for a while, until I grew up and realized that life is not about me, but it's about the Lord. In all fairness, I think the faculty really try to teach us this principle. And guess what? they don't live their life by the rulebook. They have realized, just as all the naysayers should, that it is a contract between student and school. yes, you CAN leave (and you should) if you're going to whine about having to be to class on time and wear a tie.

The biggest thing I learned at BJU was maturity. My father was right - it takes a real man to suck it up and do his best, regardless of what goes on around him. There's ample opportunity to do just that at BJU - but it's also a great atmosphere for a Christian who wants to grow in the Lord. Growth, success, and joy are choices.I'm thankful for the men and women who have poured their lives into BJU. Visit it with an open mind and pray. If the Lord wants you there, he'll make your paths straight.

4th Year Male -- Class 2003

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Social Life: C-