The academics here in Azusa are challenging to say the least. Being a private Liberal arts school, we have smaller classes that allow the professors to get more hands in all different areas of the academic spectrum. The classes require much more than purely studying and test taking. Personally, I think that is a much more rewarding and enriching experience. Having opportunities to redeem yourself after a bad test with some other course work really pays off for the students who don't do their best on tests. Along with more opportunities to raise your grade, you have classroom experiences that allow for conversation and student interaction to be the central focus. The teachers here are here to help you learn the most that you can, not just push you through a system on to the next phase of life. Though you may be frustrated with your teachers and the job they may be doing, look beyond that and see how they attempt to assist you. I am in a Pre-med like major, which has been extremely challenging to excel in. I just finished a course less than a week ago that required many hours of study, days in advance to only receive a B in the course. Though the grade did not meet my expectation of my effort it can be found elsewhere with the vast amount of knowledge that I walked away with. Most courses here are similar. They require a lot but the satisfaction of completion and knowledge gained is irreplaceable!
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Along with the academics, the overall aura on campus is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I guarantee me along with everyone else on campus will say that the community is the most amazing thing that they have ever experienced. I’m sure that you can look at any of the other student’s reviews for this school. People truly are sincere in all that they are, whether they are students, staff, faculty, or adjunct. I have not heard of another school where you personally get to know the President and his amazing Godly heart on such a personal level. (Go J Dub!) You have to search a bit to find your specific place but you can most definitely find a people group or circle of friends that will love you and befriend you like never before. I return you end up learning great lessons of humility and servanthood to take and apply to all aspects of your life.
The greatest thing about the university that you will notice is how people love to be doing things and having a good time. Since arriving on campus, I have seen more, experienced more, laughed more, and basically lived a more wholesome life than I could ever imagine. This place is a magical place that you have to buy into and sit tight because the God this student body and myself serves takes you through experiences unimaginable.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Let’s face it, college is expensive, APU is more expensive. It is private, and with that means lack of state funding. The school however completely makes up for it. Almost everything on campus is new, being renovated or being improved somehow. This is a school that seriously puts its money to the test and does some really amazing things with it. You almost start to become greedy and expect everything to be perfect. Honestly, I know that a lot of students have had a doubt when applying or having to fork out that much money. The thing about it all is that the financial aid office does all that it can and student employment is almost endless. There are plenty of ways to make this school work and every single cent is worth it. There are great food options, great events put on by the school, fantastic learning environments, and cutting edge technology. As a Science major, I have been informed that we received a new science that has all the capabilities that USC does in research. APU does not take its education lightly at all and makes sure to put its money towards things that you can really appreciate and take advantage of.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
There are many tips and suggestions I would have for an incoming student but some of the most important things I told my orientation group was to make the experience what you want it to be. If you want to play sports, if you want to have a large group of friends, if you want to be a leader on campus, if you want to be involved in an organization or program go do it and God will take care of the rest. Honestly you will have no difficulty feeling included or being connected to campus if you put yourself out there just a slight bit. There are many opportunities and events on campus. More than I have heard of from my friends and their college experiences. Believe it or not literally everyone on campus would love to help you or assist you in any way possible all you have to do is just ask. I have never been surrounded by so many quality people at one time. There shouldn't be many worries about being a prospect at this school. Any question or concern you have can be answered and assisted by anyone affiliated with the school.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Honestly everyone could fit in at this school. We don't necessarily have a specific cookie cutter mold that you have to fit. There are many out of state students that attend here which adds to the diversity. The only requirement that I believe that would be necessary is that you have an open and receptive heart to the Christian lifestyle. There are many on-fire Christians at this school that might catch you off guard if you have never been exposed but they definitely should not intimidate you. You are not required to be a Christian but that doesn't mean that you can go about living any which way you please. The university wants to maintain its reputation of its motto to have God First. It goes all the way up to our president who constantly shows us a God driven heart to care for each and everyone person. If you can just buy into the mission you will enjoy your experience to the utmost. It says in the most cliche verse of the whole Bible, John 3:16, that ...God so loved the WORLD..., the entire world and that is what we are called to do as Christians as difficult and challenging as that may be but with the strength and love that God empowers us with each and every person will feel a sense of belonging.
Some people who may not enjoy this experience are ones that dislike:
Warm weather
Suburban areas
Required Chapel attendances (3 a week)
Required Community service (120 credits by graduation)
Required Bible Courses
Having a good time! haha
Like I said, this school only requires an open and willing heart ready to listen and act on the way God is pushing or pulling you. Sit back, relax and enjoy our Creators wild ride!!!
The academics here in Azusa are challenging to say the least. Being a private Liberal arts school, we have smaller classes that allow the professors to get more hands in all different areas of the academic spectrum. The classes require much more than purely studying and test taking. Personally, I think that is a much more rewarding and enriching experience. Having opportunities to redeem yourself after a bad test with some other course work really pays off for the students who don't do their best on tests. Along with more opportunities to raise your grade, you have classroom experiences that allow for conversation and student interaction to be the central focus. The teachers here are here to help you learn the most that you can, not just push you through a system on to the next phase of life. Though you may be frustrated with your teachers and the job they may be doing, look beyond that and see how they attempt to assist you. I am in a Pre-med like major, which has been extremely challenging to excel in. I just finished a course less than a week ago that required many hours of study, days in advance to only receive a B in the course. Though the grade did not meet my expectation of my effort it can be found elsewhere with the vast amount of knowledge that I walked away with. Most courses here are similar. They require a lot but the satisfaction of completion and knowledge gained is irreplaceable!
Along with the academics, the overall aura on campus is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I guarantee me along with everyone else on campus will say that the community is the most amazing thing that they have ever experienced. I’m sure that you can look at any of the other student’s reviews for this school. People truly are sincere in all that they are, whether they are students, staff, faculty, or adjunct. I have not heard of another school where you personally get to know the President and his amazing Godly heart on such a personal level. (Go J Dub!) You have to search a bit to find your specific place but you can most definitely find a people group or circle of friends that will love you and befriend you like never before. I return you end up learning great lessons of humility and servanthood to take and apply to all aspects of your life. The greatest thing about the university that you will notice is how people love to be doing things and having a good time. Since arriving on campus, I have seen more, experienced more, laughed more, and basically lived a more wholesome life than I could ever imagine. This place is a magical place that you have to buy into and sit tight because the God this student body and myself serves takes you through experiences unimaginable.
Let’s face it, college is expensive, APU is more expensive. It is private, and with that means lack of state funding. The school however completely makes up for it. Almost everything on campus is new, being renovated or being improved somehow. This is a school that seriously puts its money to the test and does some really amazing things with it. You almost start to become greedy and expect everything to be perfect. Honestly, I know that a lot of students have had a doubt when applying or having to fork out that much money. The thing about it all is that the financial aid office does all that it can and student employment is almost endless. There are plenty of ways to make this school work and every single cent is worth it. There are great food options, great events put on by the school, fantastic learning environments, and cutting edge technology. As a Science major, I have been informed that we received a new science that has all the capabilities that USC does in research. APU does not take its education lightly at all and makes sure to put its money towards things that you can really appreciate and take advantage of.
There are many tips and suggestions I would have for an incoming student but some of the most important things I told my orientation group was to make the experience what you want it to be. If you want to play sports, if you want to have a large group of friends, if you want to be a leader on campus, if you want to be involved in an organization or program go do it and God will take care of the rest. Honestly you will have no difficulty feeling included or being connected to campus if you put yourself out there just a slight bit. There are many opportunities and events on campus. More than I have heard of from my friends and their college experiences. Believe it or not literally everyone on campus would love to help you or assist you in any way possible all you have to do is just ask. I have never been surrounded by so many quality people at one time. There shouldn't be many worries about being a prospect at this school. Any question or concern you have can be answered and assisted by anyone affiliated with the school.
Honestly everyone could fit in at this school. We don't necessarily have a specific cookie cutter mold that you have to fit. There are many out of state students that attend here which adds to the diversity. The only requirement that I believe that would be necessary is that you have an open and receptive heart to the Christian lifestyle. There are many on-fire Christians at this school that might catch you off guard if you have never been exposed but they definitely should not intimidate you. You are not required to be a Christian but that doesn't mean that you can go about living any which way you please. The university wants to maintain its reputation of its motto to have God First. It goes all the way up to our president who constantly shows us a God driven heart to care for each and everyone person. If you can just buy into the mission you will enjoy your experience to the utmost. It says in the most cliche verse of the whole Bible, John 3:16, that ...God so loved the WORLD..., the entire world and that is what we are called to do as Christians as difficult and challenging as that may be but with the strength and love that God empowers us with each and every person will feel a sense of belonging. Some people who may not enjoy this experience are ones that dislike: Warm weather Suburban areas Required Chapel attendances (3 a week) Required Community service (120 credits by graduation) Required Bible Courses Having a good time! haha Like I said, this school only requires an open and willing heart ready to listen and act on the way God is pushing or pulling you. Sit back, relax and enjoy our Creators wild ride!!!