Your faith is important to you – important enough that you’re thinking about choosing a faith-based school. But if you’ve ever been told you’ll have to sacrifice the “college experience” when you choose a faith-based college environment, think again. By choosing a faith-based school, you open yourself up to so many unique experiences and opportunities.
Even if some people consider public universities and similar secular private schools to be the “typical” college experience, you can enjoy many of the same activities and organizations at religiously affiliated schools all across the country. Learning in a faith-based environment doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the sports and activities you love!
Many religious universities and colleges offer a wide variety of student organizations and groups, just like their secular counterparts. Student athletes and sports fans are especially in luck. Religious universities of all affiliations offer many opportunities for students to get involved through athletics. Popular sports like football, basketball, baseball and softball, soccer, and more are commonly found at faith-based universities all across the country. And even if you’re not looking for a hard-core, competitive team to join, many faith-based schools host intramural sports teams where you can still participate in the sports you love.
Whether you have an all-star athletic background from high school, you want to try a new sport or activity, or you’re just interested in cheering on your favorite sports team, chances are you can do all of the above at your faith-based school!
Christian student athletes at both religiously-affiliated schools and secular schools also have the unique opportunity to join national networks and connect with other student athletes. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action are two popular organizations that allow students to combine their love for sports with their passion for their faith. Together, these organizations work to bring a Christian message to athletes, students and families all over the world, and they offer excellent involvement opportunities that can help you meet others who share your interests in fellowship and service.
Just as a faith-based education can enrich your experiences within the classroom, it can also shape your extracurricular involvement. Nearly every fun, popular college student activity is likely to be an option at your faith-based school. So, make a visit to the campus, and chat up other students. Those who share your faith probably share a lot of your other interests, too!