Choosing a Catholic College

"I think it important at the outset to point out what I do not consider the principal criteria in choosing a Catholic college, to wit: a pretty campus, good food, athletics (participation in the NCAA "March Madness" or New Year's Bowl games), famous alumni, social life, success in sending graduates off in to the professions, the understandably biased opinion that alumni, faculty, and administration members have about their own institution, and so on. These may or may not be useful criteria in selecting a university to attend, but they are not related to what makes a college Catholic. I have found through the years a surprising amount of hopeful self-deception about the Catholicity of colleges. This is true for any number of reasons, most of which are related to a "The Way We Were" nostalgia concerning pre-Vatican II Catholicism. On the other hand, there also is a general sense of despair about sending the kids anywhere for four years of college without seeing them lose their faith or their moral compass."

"At the heart of a truly Catholic university will be a sound theology department which, as befits the "Queen of the Sciences," should be considered the central department of the university."

"The majority of Catholic colleges have a two- or three-course requirement in theology for its undergraduates, who presumably will consider the teaching of their professors as authoritative. A college that habitually tolerates teaching that is at odds with the Church's teaching forfeits the name Catholic in any real sense."

"A list of the on-campus speakers during the last academic year who dealt with themes concerning Catholic doctrine and morals would also be revealing. After all, why should your tuition money support the dissemination of opinion antithetical to Catholic teaching?Another good indicator is simply to probe the knowledge of any recent graduate. A few pointed questions will quickly reveal what he knows and where he stands with regard to the Church and her teaching. Finally, if the university harbors any well-known "dissenters," the case is closed."

"it must believe that there are areas of knowledge which should be common to all students in the areas of literature, philosophy, music, and art.If the university views itself merely as a place that prepares students for a career rather than a place that prepares them for life and gives them a deep appreciation of knowledge as an end in itself in the natural sphere, then it disqualifies itself as anything other than an academic supermarket."

"Be sure to read the colleges' mission statement (if they have one). If you encounter words like standard, belief, maturity, conviction, commitment, marriage, family, evangelization, culture, character, truth and knowledge, take a closer look. On the other hand, if you encounter words and phrases like values, openness, just society, search, diversity, and professional preparation, move on." HA

"The state of the college chaplaincy can be a strong indicator. What percentage of the student body and faculty is Catholic? What percentage practice their faith in the traditional sense of weekly Mass and (at least) yearly confession? Does anyone on campus know or care? Is the emphasis placed on catechesis, formation, practice, and evangelization rather than on "social justice" and "community building"? Are a significant number of students responding to the call of the priesthood, religious life, or other forms of total dedication in the world?"

"Do the college dormitories at the school you are examining have basically the same rules and regulations, moral tone, and adult supervision that you would wish for your college-age child if he were living at home?" good question

"Throwing hundreds of young men and women together in close quarters produces inevitable and natural results, most of which–in the best-case scenario–do not prepare them well for Christian marriage and which–in the worst case–cause irreparable damage. If you dare, spend the night or even a day or two living in a dormitory. In my experience, most parents do not want to believe that atmosphere of hedonistic immaturity and boorishness that reigns in these places. High spirits are one thing; animal behavior raised to an art is another."

"Secular universities have many problems, but claiming to be Catholic is certainly not one of them. If you can't find the right Catholic college, send your child to the best possible secular university–taking into account cost and the student's academic ability–and encourage your child to bring his belief and practice as a Catholic to bear on his studies and friendships. Who knows, with the passage of time–perhaps decades or less–we may Catholicize the secular universities. "The Pontifical Princeton University" has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

http://www.catholicity.com/mccloskey/choosingcollege.html