Moody Bible Institute

Date: May 05 2007
Major: Religion/Religious (This Major's Salary over time)
As readers can tell from the previous posts, most leave MBI either loving it or completely jaded. I believe it all comes down to expectations. If you go there expecting everyone to think the way you do and be as "devoted to Christ" as you think they should be, you will be sorely disappointed. We are all different AND SINFUL - and the admissions committee only have a paper application in front of them as they make their decisions. People get in who shouldn't be there - and most of the time they leave pretty quickly too. If you are one of those - get out now - don't waste someone else's money.

1. Academics

a.) Professors - It's really quite dependent on who you get. There are some phenomenal professors in this place who challenge you and make you work incredibly hard, and there are some bad ones. I guess I would like to see the school be a little more proactive on culling bad ones (no matter how long they'd been there for or how much they "loved the students") and paying more to keep the good ones. (Poor management, refusal to take into account StudentsReviews, etc did frustrate me while I was there).

b.) Programs - An undergrad institution that has to meet Gen Ed requirements to give you a BA can only fit so much in 4 years. My advice to anyone accepted is to get the CLEP list that the school will accept and take as many as possible before going. This will free you up to either graduate a semester early OR take additional classes to make the most of your experience.

Additionally, MBI is a ministry training school that specializes in bible, theology, and missions. It offers other programs through various departments but these are NOT its focus. In my opinion, anyone who attends this school should "stick to what it's good at." Make the most of the fact that you are at a "Bible College" - and if you want to learn to be a teacher or a counselor, find schools that teach that well from an academic perspective. Alternatively, I think the most rewarding use of MBI is to get a bible basis here and then attend grad school for your specalization.

2. Social Life - When I read all these comments about never spending time with people of the opposite sex I was mystified. From the day I arrived at MBI till the day I left, my floor was assigned a brother floor that we could plan social events with, eat meals with, etc if we desired. Some of my fondest memories include all night pizza lock ins at church gyms, trips to the beach every weekend to play ultimate frisbee, and guaranteed pals for slurpee runs. I stood in one of my best friend's wedding a few years back - on his side in a black dress. So, I don't really beleive there is any problem spending time with people of the opposite sex. In contrast, my concern would be with the amount of girls who are husband hunters and the number of guys who are looking for their trophy pastor's wife. Again, it's an individual choice as to whether you want to get caught up in that or not.

Also, as you can see from the few things I mentioned before, there's a whole lot more that you can do around Chicago than just hit coffee shops. There are festivals in Grant Park during the summer, many theatres that will allow you to watch performances for free if you help usher (Blue Man Group being the most popular), and more. Did I mention it's a choice as to how involved YOU want to get??

3. Ministry - Ah yes - the good old PCM. I agree that to have to change PCM's every year / semester is more than a pain. Just when you get into one that you love and start building those relationships the semester is almost up. So… rename it if you can. You can classify a youth group as youth ministry, discipleship, and teaching to get 3 years in the same place. Oh, and that horrible 4th year when I had to get tutoring in… I actually did both and didn't get credit for my youth group. Yes, you can actually be involved in a church ministry without getting credit. And when two of the girls in my youth group went through their dad committing suicide I went to the funeral and didn't get credit… And did counselling for some of the other girls without getting credit… you get my point.

4. Career Development -

I have many graduate friends who are working in awesome positions because (and maybe even in spite of) their Moody educations. I have friends who are working at Alternative Schools as teachers and behavioral counselors, another who has started his own video production company, more in social work positions, etc. Additionally, three years since graduation I recently contacted the Career Developoment office for advice and was able to talk with a career counselor who remebered me and then also followed up recently to see how I was going.

5. Future Prospects - I agree that many pastoral positions people are looking to apply to require seminary, but that would be the same no matter which undergrad institution you went to so that's kind of a moot point. There is a trend toward encouraging / requiring Master's degrees so this really shouldn't come as a surprise.

Finally, MBI didn't serve me too badly - I am hoping to get into international human rights work (inspired by the Missions Conferences I attended) and am currently attending a top 100 law school, ranked in the top 10% of my class and beating out U of M, U of C, and UCLA grads. It's really what you make of it and the attitude you have.

P.S. - To those who have been offended by previous posts. Posting a negative opinion on a public website isn't "slanderous" so chill out and let people have their say (check out the First Amendment).