Anyone know anything about Belhaven College?

[Valerie(TX)]

...personal experience would be wonderful.


Dd would like to go to a

christian college (not one that is only historically church-affiliated)
that is accredited by the NASAD (art) or has a really great art program,
with both pysch/counseling courses
and a biblical studies/theology minor available.
Finding that combo is proving to be tough, without putting her future in serious hock. :glare:

So, back to the question: anyone have firsthand experience with Belhaven?

Thanks a million!!!

[JFS in IL]

You might want to also post this on the College Board. It is a sub-board of this one.

[MSPolly]

Ha! :)

We just visited Belhaven last Friday. We were *supposed* to be at another college and ended up going there at the last minute. We were sooooo impressed. In fact, although my dd has already applied to two other schools, Belhaven is now her top choice. She got up Saturday morning and filled out the online app. LOL!

We have a bit of an advantage in getting info as we know someone who is an alumni of a few years, but we also discovered on our tour that two girls we used to know pretty well are there as sophomores. We have already picked their brains, and I have called their moms. I cannot find anyone who has one bad thing to say.

The campus is very pleasant. The people very friendly and welcoming. We heard from EVERYONE how involved the faculty get in the lives of their students. My dd is a piano major and we met with the Dept. Head. She asked him if any of their students are successfully admitted to grad schools and which ones. He sat there and told us about every piano student he has had since he came there!! He knows where they are and what they are doing. We were quite impressed. The neighborhood surrounding the campus is a charming older one and many faculty have purchased homes there. The students commented time and again about many of them having certain *open door* nights during the week with food and a listening ear or fellowship, etc. We think this is neat!

We enjoyed hearing one of the English profs speak. My husband and I said we would both go back and take English if we could have him! LOL! We also liked the Worldview focus for Freshman and Sophomores. It is very much like Tapestry of Grace.

We toured the art/dance building. WOW!!!! Very nice facilities. Lots of student work on display.... I HIGHLY recommend a visit. Also, be sure to schedule a meeting with the art dept and visit a couple of classes. They should have another preview day coming up, but you can also schedule your *own* time.

THere are about 1000 traditional students on campus and it lent to a very friendly, comfortable atmosphere. Several students said that rather than feeling too small, it was nice to get to a point where you *recognize* everyone at the very least.

There is a huge focus on finding where the Lord has gifted your student and where He is leading them and then finding the best way to prepare them to *get there*....even if they are not the best academically. (Not an issue here, but I think it is great...so many kids have such potential that doesn't show up in the taking of tests!) It is the first school where the focus seemed to be on the student and God's plan for them, rather than on how great the school is etc. I don't mean that statement to carry too much weight, because I'm SURE other Christian schools feel the same way, but it was just very obvious at Belhaven.

It sounds too good to be true, I know....it seemed to be a very special place. :)

Oh, and there are churches within walking distance. We heard from a student panel and there were several different denominations represented.

I hope this helps. Again, I encourage you to go visit!!

[MSPolly]

Dd just said their art program is supposed to be phenomenal. In our packet we rec'd on Friday, is a blurb about art alumni Andrew Camenisch ('98). It says he is known for his work as the lead sculptor for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. :)

[MSPolly]

They have their own gallery in the art building and they bring in outside artists' exhibits. A gal on tour with us wants to be an art major and dd said that was impressive to her. :)