Bob Jones University

I attended BJU from 1974 until the middle of my Junior year. I chose BJU since neither parent was formally educated and decided to go where all my friends from church were going, with the exception of a couple. Also, my former brother-in-law had attended & graduated and my sister attended until marrying him. I had no problem with the rules (I broke most of them). In fact, some of the existing ones were made because of me. I was not a bad student, just mischievous. I enjoyed most of my time there. I declared a Bible major for a couple of reasons. One, it reclassified me to avoid Vietnam. Second, it was my brother-in-laws major and he was my role model. During my Junior year, I decided that I wasn't certain what I wanted out of college and decided to leave. Unfortunately, any 'counselling' I received was that if God sent me here, I must be out of His will to be leaving. Also, in my ignorance, I didn't know that you should withdraw from courses to avoid something (GPA) that will follow you like taxes! And I received no counsel regarding the same. So I took away several F's and also the shadow of being out of God's will. Still, the education is good there, the people friendly except maybe a weenie head stoolie here and there. And the lack of accreditation really hasn't been an issue. I completed a BS locally after finding a school to take my BJU credits. Some didn't want to. While there is much I appreciate about the school, being older and wiser lets me see what is wrong there. Had I better guidance growing up, I would have stayed nearer home and attended school in state. Maybe that isn't a Christian choice but education can readily be had with a non-Christian school (check the Jones's post grad work) and life can still be good. You'll just have to make your own choices.

2nd Year Male -- Class 1976

Education Quality: C, Individual Value: F

I loved my years at Bob Jones University, and though it is not a perfect place, and I did not agree with all of their policies, God led me there, and I appreciate the training I got there. One of BJU's streghths is the wonderful faculty they have. Some have criticized the school for in-breeding, but most of the teachers are qualified by years of teaching experience and doctorates from some of the most respected schools in the world. My teachers were not closed-minded toward differing religious and social views, and they respected me and helped me all they could, taking a personal interest in me as a person. I've been to graduate school and I have taken classes elsewhere and rarely have found the kind of quality I found in the faculty and adminstration at BJU. These teachers are at BJU because it is their Christian calling -- they could get better-paying, tenured jobs anywhere else.

In know I sound divergent, but in terms of accreditation, I find the whole thing a farce. We all know that some of the worst schools in America are fully accredited--just as some of the worst teachers are fully certified--so don't be so near-sighted to avoid a school for opting out. If you want to go to graduate school, your BJU degree will not shut all of the doors. Those who score well on the GRE, with impressive G.P.A's, and who don't take that initial "no" as final won't have too much trouble with graduate admissions or professional certification. I know this sounds simplistic, but just give that whole thing to God.

BJU is an excellent school--well-worth the price--for a Christian young adult looking for solid academics, professional preparation, and spiritual growth. It is not for everyone, though, especially those who think that Christian education is just secular education dressed up for Sunday school . . . and those who tend to walk on the wild side.The ultimate question is whether or not God is leading you to BJU, or any other school for that matter. If you're a praying Christian, you'll know if God is leading you to Bob Jones University. If He is, enroll!!

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000