Twin Cities Universities (Woodbury, Roseville, New Brighton: loan, townhomes, dorm)

[StPaulGal]

Perception-wise I would put St. Thomas and Hamline a notch above Bethel and Augsburg, although others may have differing opinions. If Hamline is offering you a good aid package, more of your credits would transfer, and you would be able to start sooner I think it sounds like a complete no-brainer to me.

[Mr Ambitious]

Originally Posted by StPaulGal

Perception-wise I would put St. Thomas and Hamline a notch above Bethel and Augsburg, although others may have differing opinions. If Hamline is offering you a good aid package, more of your credits would transfer, and you would be able to start sooner I think it sounds like a complete no-brainer to me.

It really does sound lije a no brainer at this, especially looking at the responses. At first aid packages were similar, but Hamline sent me a revised aid package this weekend and it'll be tough to beat. Funny thing is I went for last Thursday and I told them about the other schools. I wonder if that had anything to do with it. Thanks for your input.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by Dennis Schroeder

I think they are all perceived about equally by employers, with Bethel being considered more of a religious school.

Not from the area, but I'm a college counselor. Bethel is thought of as more of as more Christian than the others. That can be a good thing if you intend to work in an Evangelical Christian environment.

Several of the schools you mentioned are Christian of some sort. Augsburg is Lutheran, and while their are many opportunities for religious involvement, it is not as "Christian" in culture as Bethel. The student body is more diverse, which I think is a plus.

Among college counselors, it is well thought of as an up and coming college to watch.

Just something to think about.

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by sheena12

Not from the area, but I'm a college counselor. Bethel is thought of as more of as more Christian than the others. That can be a good thing if you intend to work in an Evangelical Christian environment.

Several of the schools you mentioned are Christian of some sort. Augsburg is Lutheran, and while their are many opportunities for religious involvement, it is not as "Christian" in culture as Bethel. The student body is more diverse, which I think is a plus.

Among college counselors, it is well thought of as an up and coming college to watch.

Just something to think about.

Not the first warning in this thread about Bethel being too Christian. The posters may be unaware but there's some subtle bigotry going on here. As you say, just something to think about.

[mr roboto]

Not subtle bigotry (I was first response about Bethel, I went there, married my wife whom I met thee and am a fairly religious Evangelical myself). It's a major draw/reason many students go there. It's also a very good school academically. Nursing and sciences are well regarded iirc. Lots of grads from business go into large corporate jobs in the area.

But honestly if someone could 'take or leave' a strongly religious atmosphere I'd reconsider Bethel. I had a few roommates who weren't particularly religious and it wasn't the best fit.

Let me be clear - it's not a bible college (like Crown). It's a liberal arts school with an evangelical confession statement (and lifestyle expectations).

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Not the first warning in this thread about Bethel being too Christian. The posters may be unaware but there's some subtle bigotry going on here. As you say, just something to think about.

I don't think it's bigotry. I didn't interpret the comments to be that Bethel is "too" Christian. But it IS religious in a way that the other colleges on the list are not. For the people I know who went to Bethel, the fact that faith was so integrated into the university's culture was important; it's what sets it apart from other schools. And that's what makes it such a good fit for some students, but would not be a good fit for others.

[ellysbelly]

As a recruiter, I would say that where you go to school, especially for undergrad, is far less important than you might think. Yes, it likely does matter for your first job, as the strength of the career center will often help to find you your first job-- and alumni networks are important, but all of those schools, obviously, have strong networks throughout MN. For grad school, for some degrees (i.e. MBA), taking on extra debt for a "premier" school *might* make sense-- but none of the schools mentioned are SO far above any of the other ones that would make it worthwhile to saddle yourself with excess loans.

Long story short: If you have an opportunity to attend school without accumulating debt (or minimizing your student debt), GO FOR IT.

[Dennis Schroeder]

It's not bigotry to say Bethel is a religious school, that is how they market themselves and a big reason why students go there.

It's much different than the other schools in that regard. For example you can get kicked out of Bethel for drinking alcohol, off campus, even if you're 21. You can get suspended for having sex or gambling or kicked out for living with a member of the opposite sex - even off campus.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by Mr Ambitious

I have two years left and I was accepted into four schools in the area( St. Thomas, Hamline, Bethel, and Augsburg). I know Macalester and the U of M are the two big dogs in town lol. However, I didn't apply to the U of M in time and never submitted an app to Macalester. I thought about posting in the education forum but I wanted some opinions from twin city area residents.

How do you view these four schools? If it helps, St Thomas is my favorite but less credits will transfer and it'll take longer to graduate. Hamline is offering the best package and is also intriguing. Bethel and Augsburg are interesting as well and are offering a little less than Hamline. Can anyone who's familiar with these school offer any input? I'm looking to start in spring but I could start at Hamline this fall considering their financial aid package.

I graduated from St. Thomas. Feel free to message me.

[Mr Ambitious]

Thanks for the replies as they were all very informative. It looks like it'll be Hamline based on the aid package and it's location close to home (St Paul) and work (3M). I really did enjoy visiting all the schools, especially St. Thomas. I really don't want to graduate with a lot of debt and since you all said they are all on par with each other, then Hamline looks like a winner for me.