College report - Covenant College

[creekland]

Ok, the boys are at the library, hubby is out at a meeting, and the computer/internet is MINE!

 

We returned from Covenant College's Summer Orientation yesterday. This has been the third time we've visited the school, so I feel a little more confident writing what may be a useful report from it for anyone else out there that might want to consider the school. My oldest is going there next year - majoring in Community Development and either Business or Economics with plans on becoming a microfinance manager in third world nations. Prior to finding out about the college, we knew absolutely NOTHING about it other than the name.

 

So:

 

- Covenant College is a small (1000 students or so) Christian Liberal Arts College located on Lookout Mountain, GA - which is right next to Chattanooga, TN.

 

- It is a PCA affiliated school. PCA is Presbyterian Church of America - a conservative branch of Presbyterians - but it is open to those of any Christian faith. One must be a Christian to attend and all professors must be as well. They sign a statement to that effect annually. We are NOT PCA, but I feel comfortable having my son go there. We met others who are not PCA, but the majority are.

 

- There's no dress code, but we didn't see anyone dressed inappropriately. (For us this means T-shirts and shorts are fine.)

 

- All students must do some volunteer hours and a cross-cultural experience of some sort.

 

- Dorms are co-ed by floor. There are no co-ed bathrooms or rooms.

 

- It is a Christian school, but one that values education and is considered rigorous. Graduates have included Fulbright Scholars and those that go on to prestigious grad schools (including Harvard). It is ranked highly among Christian schools by both US News and Forbes. US News considers it a Baccalaureate school for rankings (I'm not certain why). It scores quite well - very, very well - on Major Field Tests for Business and Economics. I didn't ask to see other scores. Alumni I've come in contact with love the school.

 

- It IS a Christian school. Christ (and living as a Christian) is incorporated in all classes as part of the ethics involved with life. Someone who does not want this will not feel at home. Those that do want it will love it.

 

- I THINK their stance on Creation/Evolution is neutral. As long as one gives God credit, they don't get hung up on details. This is a report from my middle son that tagged along with the science parents scholarship weekend in order to check it out. He was impressed. I haven't checked that end out myself as it's not important for my oldest son's major nor is it a major factor for us.

 

- They have 4 dorms and no frats/sors. Instead, dorm life is important and comes complete with different personalities, routines, and traditions based on where you live. They work hard to put freshmen where they feel they will fit in, but each year you can change if you wish. My son loves his placement at this point. They matched him well. EVERYONE participates - the RAs make sure all are included. Freshmen through Juniors must live on campus. Seniors have the option for on or off.

 

- Food was good all three visits (one of which was on a "nothing special" day). They have salad options as well as more traditional options.

 

- Some dorms are in need of repairs. The College is working on that as they have money. There is a variety in style of dorm. My son will have a traditional two person room with common restrooms. Many rooms have two rooms separated by a more private restroom. Some have individual restrooms. Most have kitchen facilities on each floor.

 

- Classrooms and other buildings seemed nice. It's a small school, so, coming as one who went to a large bells and whistles school, this took ME some getting used to (small library, gym, etc), but my son loves it. The view is incredible. It's a superb place for a college for those that love nature and seeing mountains. I could sit at one of their overlooks for hours and just read, think, or chat. Many did.

 

- All classes are small.

 

- Homeschoolers are accepted and currently get a $1000 "homeschool" scholarship. I believe I heard that 1/5th of the students either are or have been homeschooled at some point.

 

- All College scholarships and grants are guaranteed for all 4 years, the only exception being merit aid which has a minimum GPA to be kept. This seems to be an important one at the moment as many schools are backing off aid once the student is "hooked."

 

- College profs and students have a close mentoring relationship as well as getting the education they came for.

 

- There are many deep discussions on campus and many close friendships. In just the two days my son was there he became close with several of his classmates introducing them by name and telling us where they were from, etc. He told me a group of 20 stayed up past midnight just talking... and he can't wait to return. Since it's a small school, people tend to know each other well.

 

- EVERYONE we met was pleasant and seemed to have genuine faith that showed in their lives.

 

"I" was the one that needed to be sold on Covenant as my son knew from his first visit that it was exactly what he wanted and where he wanted to go. I hadn't heard of the school. I was concerned that it was too small or maybe not academic enough for my standards. I was concerned that it wasn't our denomination. After three visits, all of my fears are gone and I'm certain that my son picked THE best school for him. He will enjoy it there (lifestyle) and will get the education to get exactly where he wants to go (combo of education and connections).

 

Covenant will not be the right school for those that want bells and whistles. It probably isn't even right for my middle son as he wants oodles of research options. It also isn't for those that don't want their faith integrated into all of life or those that want to be more of a "number" than a name (not meaning that negatively - just for amount of accountability for classes and such things - you'll be noticed if you skip here). It also won't fit those that want more conservative with dress codes and the like.

 

For those that like the pros above, it's definitely worth considering and visiting to see if it clicks. Their students come from all over. We were satisfied with aid offered, but my son does test rather high and has very good recommendations. That said, he wasn't a merit scholar as his writing skills are rather average. I hope he'll improve there.

 

For what it's worth, we also spent a little bit of time doing the tourist things there... the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is well worth time spent there! Ruby Falls was "ok." The falls, themselves, were impressive with their grand cut out section of cavern. The rest of the cave was rather unimpressive if one has been to other caverns as we have. Still, the falls were worth seeing. Rock City was also mostly impressive. It's neat to know one can stand in one spot and see 7 states at a time. Since it's included in 1000 Place to See Before You Die we have one less to go. ;)

 

I can't think of anything else at the moment. I had always planned on my boys following our footsteps and heading to VA Tech. Now, I find myself quite content that my son (and our money) will be heading to Covenant. If anyone were to ever have questions or want to talk with a soon-to-be current student - feel free to send me a message! Either of us will be totally honest as we're well aware that the same school is not the best fit for everyone out there.

Edited June 21, 2010 by creekland
To add in homeschool details and edit a kitten killing apostrophe

[momofkhm]

Thanks! I had heard pf Covenant but was unsure about so many things. DD won't be going off for another 3 years but this sounds like what I want for her. She doesn't really know what she wants yet!

 

Wait! How close to "the city" is it? She doesn't want rural, more like suburbia. She does want to be close but not necessarily "in".

 

Thanks!

[creekland]

How close to "the city" is it? She doesn't want rural, more like suburbia. She does want to be close but not necessarily "in".

 

Thanks!

 

Covenant overlooks Chattanooga (base of mountain and across Tennessee River) + it's residential up on top of the mountain. I believe it is considered a suburban school. All major shopping & eating that isn't associated with the college or the tourist places are at the base of the mountain - quite easy to get to, but not close enough to be too tempting IMO. There is a small chicken finger place, corner cafe, and Starbucks up on top of the mountain, but not really close enough to walk to easily.

 

My son won't have a car, but I've been told by several students that it won't be a problem as many students do have them and they always announce when they are making a Walmart run or heading to "wherever." They always make sure people have a ride to whichever church they want to attend too. Many carpool home on vacations or they coordinate rides to the airport.

[MomsintheGarden]

Thanks so much for the thorough, detailed report! It's a beautiful school with a lot to offer. I hope your son is very happy there!

 

GardenMom

[creekland]

Thanks so much for the thorough, detailed report! It's a beautiful school with a lot to offer. I hope your son is very happy there!

 

GardenMom

 

I think the summer will be flying by for all of us who have students leaving in the fall. It is very interesting reading about everyone's choices and what their pros and cons are. One size (etc) definitely does not fit all when it comes to colleges!

 

May they all truly enjoy their choices!

 

(And may folks keep writing about choices as I keep looking for son #2 who leaves two years from now... I'd love to find him as perfect a fit as son #1 found.)

[Jane in NC]

So glad that things went well at Orientation. I love reading these reports even though my son's college decision is made.

 

I look forward to hearing how things go for your son next year. His intended major of microfinance should be very interesting.

 

Good luck to him!

 

Jane

[Sonshine]

For you or future visitors to Covenant College, there is a very nice state park, Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia, just down the road from Covenant College. We stayed in a nice "cabin" there while on vacation. It was more like a house and was in a beautiful setting. The rates were very reasonable.

[Kareni]

Thanks for the comprehensive report on your son's college. It's always fascinating to get an inside view on a school that was previously only a name. Best wishes to your son at his new home away from home.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[creekland]

For you or future visitors to Covenant College, there is a very nice state park, Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia, just down the road from Covenant College. We stayed in a nice "cabin" there while on vacation. It was more like a house and was in a beautiful setting. The rates were very reasonable.

 

We were actually going to stay there over Orientation, but then my mom opted to come along with us so we changed our minds and stayed in the Days Inn at the foot of the mountain (REALLY liked that place for the price). Sooner or later we'll make it there. We love tent camping and the park sounds gorgeous. It'll probably be too hot in August though.

[2boysmom]

Thank you for sharing this. I didn't know about his college. Looks very promising.

[creekland]

Thank you for sharing this. I didn't know about his college. Looks very promising.

 

 

Glad to share! I knew absolutely nothing about this college prior to my son's interest in it. Actually, I knew next to nothing about a LOT of colleges prior to my son's search (not even names of some of them). Covenant is the one that ended up on top for him, but I've definitely learned a lot about many of them over the past year +.

 

This year I get a semi-break - no applications or interviews, but we'll be back to searching for and visiting science research schools for middle son. That son also likes Covenant, but will have to compare what he loves about it to the multiple research options at other, larger, places. Covenant does a little bit of published research, but with its size, it's definitely limited. It'll depend on what he decides he wants to research.

 

I love reading about schools on here when people take the time to write about them. I also love the list where people tell where their students have been accepted or attended.