Belmont Abbey College

Date: Sep 24 2014
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
Belmont Abbey College has its pros and cons. I have a mixed view of this college, as you will see.

Pros

Academically, this place can give you a good education if you work hard and make the most of it. At the same time, the professors, staff, and faculty are approachable. At the same time, for Catholics seeking a good Catholic college, this place is an alternative for terrible liberal Catholic colleges or public schools. Also the small body of students makes it easy to make friends here. At the same time, the Abbey is in a decently orthodox conservative diocese. You can find parishes around Belmont Abbey such as in Charlotte and Gastonia that are great, with the exception of the liberal parish in Queen of the Apostles. If you steer clear of the drama, be yourself, and be strong, this college can give you a good experience. Also if you want to be around good Catholics, you can join the Households. There is one for men, one for women. However, don't associate yourself too much with the arrogant Pharisee God Squadders who think they know it all, but they have the tail between their legs.

Cons

Despite the positives of Belmont Abbey, there are a lot of grave problems. One, the social atmosphere in the Abbey, as a whole, can be a cesspool and very toxic. If you make one social mistake or a couple, gossip can be spread against you. Second, Greek life and the athletes have too much of a pull in the Abbey. They both add to the drama in the Abbey. At the same time, I have seen well-meaning good Catholics get corrupted and lose their Faith by the party atmosphere in the Abbey. If you are not a strong Catholic and want to work on your faith, don't come here! Go to Christendom, go to Thomas Aquinas! Go to Wyoming Catholic! Parents, if you are afraid that your child will become corrupted by college, don't send them here. Third, for the longest time, there were RAs, (not all of them) who are modern-day Pharisees. They think they are holier and better than thou. Many of them take the job way too seriously. They act un-Christian in their attitudes. Yes, there is a point to ensure order and Catholic values such as underage drinking in the Abbey, but the RAs Pharisee attitude and acting like police don't make sinners saints. Also, if you piss off one of the RAs, some of the RAs make it personal against you. Fourth, within the God Squad, there are some nice good Catholics, but some of them are arrogant, superficial Pharisees. They know so much, but yet know so little. One time, one of my friends shut one of the Theology majors down, because that God Squadder was flat wrong on the Faith. Lastly, people in Belmont Abbey like to one up each other. And you will notice that the Abbey can be superficial and two-faced at times.

Conclusion

Belmont Abbey College has a mixed reaction from me. If you want a good education and a place that is an alternative to the liberal public or liberal religious schools, this can be a decent alternative. Also if you want a small college, this may be the right place for you. However, don't come here if you think you can lose your Faith. Don't come here if you don't want stupid superficial drama. Belmont Abbey College is good in many ways, but it can be a facade. The literature and brochures may say one thing about the Abbey, but it has a long way in being a truly Catholic college.