If you’re looking into attending a Christian college, you probably already know that Christian colleges are private institutions that feature the integration of the Christian faith with traditional academic fields. But, we’re willing to bet you probably have a few questions about the Christian college experience itself.
That’s why we wanted to cover three of the most common questions students have about attending a Christian college!
1. Is chapel attendance required?
Most Christian colleges offer some form of chapel for students, faculty, and staff. Yet, each school has different requirements about attendance. Some require 100% chapel attendance, some require partial attendance, while others make chapel voluntary. It really just depends!
At Mid-Atlantic Christian University, the entire campus community gathers once weekly for chapel—something that we call Encounter. This takes place on Tuesday mornings and includes worship and a message. We ask all students to attend as an intentional way of living out our faith as a community of believers—plus it’s a great way to break up a day full of classes, exams, and deadlines to refocus our minds on Christ.
2. How is faith integrated with the college experience?
At a Christian college, you will be immersed in a culture that holds the Bible in high regard and subscribes to a Christian worldview. That means Christian principles and beliefs are intertwined with every aspect of the college experience including the classroom, dorm life, extracurriculars, and so much more.
Practically, this could look like professors opening class with prayer, RAs leading Bible studies, or coaches fostering discipleship within their athletic programs.
At MACU, you’ll see all of these things and more. Our students grow in faith through things like…
- D-Groups – Voluntary devotional groups led by RAs that encourage spiritual growth among dorm communities.
- Bible and Theology Course Requirements – Facilitate a foundational knowledge that equips students for ministry or the marketplace.
- Spiritual Emphasis Week – Features Encounter services that focus specifically on spiritual growth and often spotlight special guest speakers.
3. What is student life like on a Christian campus?
One of the biggest misconceptions about a Christian college is that there’s little to do. But, nothing could be farther from the truth! Most Christian colleges have a very active student body with many of the same activities you’d find at a public university. That includes student clubs, athletics and intramurals, music ensembles, worship teams, mission trips, theater productions, and more!
One of the biggest components of student life at MACU is our commitment to some pretty unique traditions—like Sneak Day and River Day.
Sneak Day is a day planned by the senior class where students are woken up early to find that classes have been canceled and a day of fun activities has been planned instead. We’ve been to places like amusement parks, trampoline parks, and amusement centers—and each time it does not disappoint!
River Day celebrates the end of the school year right on the Pasquotank River. The day includes a staff vs. student softball game, cookout, sailing, and tubing.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Believe us when we say you’re not going to want to miss out on student life at MACU!
Interested in checking out a Christian university that offers a value-packed education experience? We’d love to invite you to schedule a visit to MACU! While you’re here, you’ll have the opportunity to tour campus, attend chapel, observe a class, and even meet with some of our current students and professors. We can’t wait to show you around!