Princeton Review Highlights Western Baptist

A student survey conducted by The Princeton Review lists Western Baptist College as one of the best college's in the U.S. western region. Western Baptist is one of the 129 schools profiled in the regional college guidebook, The Best Western Colleges. WB is also one of only 10 Oregon colleges mentioned in the survey in the 2004 edition of Review's annual college guidebook, The Best 351 Colleges.

One reason Western Baptist Vice President for Academics, Dr. Bryce Bernard is most pleased by the news is that the positive results were compiled from student feedback in anonymous surveys.

"We are the only Christian college in Oregon to make this list," Bryce said. "This is the first year that they created a regional ranking and to qualify we had to meet their standard for academic excellence and earn positive ratings from our students who were surveyed."

The Princeton Review in New York City is best known for its test preparation courses, admission and education services, and books. The survey, a grid-based questionnaire, asks students 70 questions about their own school's academics, campus life, student body, plus their study hours, politics, and opinions. The magazine creates three summary statements about each school based on student feed back.

The guidebook's lead author, Robert Franek said, "All colleges in this book are academically outstanding. We present ranking lists in multiple categories for one reason: to help college applicants and their parents decide which of these great colleges is best for them, given their personal priorities and interests."

Student responses center around three areas: Academics, Campus Life and the Student Body.

Western Baptist students insist that if it is a student's desire is to know Christ, grow in Him, and do it while earning a degree, then this is the place to be." Students compliment their professors' "knowledge of the Bible" and say that "the ability to grow as a Christian through your classes" is the school's greatest strength. And students also say that instructors "all seem to have some sense of humor." While academics are praised, WB professors really distinguish themselves as mentors.

One undergrad surveyed said, "Our professors are always willing to sit down and talk to you." Adds another, "Not only are they knowledgeable in the fields they teach, but they also have a severe interest in the students and developing a relationship with them."

"People around here are very different from one another in personality, but we all have a common faith in God," offers one undergrad. That declaration of faith is a prerequisite at Western Baptist.

All students responding praised the religious atmosphere and say the campus feels like "family."
Generally, however, students are united by their desire "to glorify God and hold one another accountable, not party like many other schools." Another student said, "If you want to grow in your Christian faith, this is the place to be.
Find more survey information at Princeton's website: http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/generalinfo.asp?listing=1023403&LTID=1&intBucketID=0