Calvin College

Calvin gave me a classic liberal arts education that has distinguished me from my peers while keeping my perspective as a servant of Christ.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Calvin is a more moderate Christian school. It is more controlled than a state school, but it is much less radically conservative than some Christian schools. All Calvin professors teach theistic evolution instead of Young Earth creationism, for example. Calvin admits gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students (although it does not allow them to be in relationships, to my knowledge). Sex and alcohol are not allowed on campus, and even though I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with my neighbors engaging in such activities, I'm glad that the campus is generally less rowdy. It is a place where one can relax, feel safe, and not worry about being "sexiled," for example. Additionally, it discourages students from engaging in underage drinking, which could get them into a lot of trouble in the non-Calvin world. The student body is extremely varied, probably due to Calvin's more moderate stance. Right wing evangelicals, liberal Mainline Christians, and even people of different faiths (or non-faiths) can be found at Calvin. The variety produces some great-- and sometimes heated-- dialogue. The professors, with few exceptions, care deeply about students and want them to succeed. The philosophy department (where I have my second major) is particularly well known among top graduate programs in philosophy (due to Alvin Plantinga, Nicholas Wolterstorff, and others). The professors are generally more theologically and politically liberal than the administrative staff. This produces some tension.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2014

Education Quality: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: C