Concordia University: Where's The Beach?
Written: May 23 '01 (Updated May 23 '01)
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Pros: Great Student - Teacher Ratio, Close To the Beach, Beautiful Campus
Cons: Tuition, Definitive Amount of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
The Bottom Line: Concordia provides a complete all around academic and social experience. It is for those who are looking for more than just a professor, a lecture or a lab.
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| bootsers's Full Review: Concordia University-Irvine |
Christ College, as it was named in my day, was the logical next step in my academic career. I glided from Lutheran Elementary school to a Lutheran High School, naturally my next step would be a Lutheran College or University. Well yes it worked out that way, but not because Concordia was Lutheran.
Looking into Colleges and Universities, Concordia stood out right away. An hour away from home was far enough to keep Mom and Dad at bay, but close enough to come home and raid the fridge and do laundry. Concordia was right around the corner from Newport Beach (big selling point to a High School Senior). Concordia had a small student enrollment. At the time Concordia had kitchens in all their dorms, so you could actually cook your own meals. All dorms also have their own bathrooms with two sinks for four people. Grants and scholarships were plentiful. Last but not least it was a great teacher college.
The Basics
Concordia University is associated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Yes religion plays a big part at this University, but you are not shackled and dragged to Church and Chapel services, though both are offered and encouraged. Courses abound in theological studies and general courses in Old Testament and New Testament are required for your undergraduate degree. But no one is discriminated based on their religion or cultural or beliefs or lack there of.
Concordia University Irvine celebrates its twenty- fifth Anniversary this year. That may seem young compared to other Universities, but considering they were celebrating their tenth when I started, it seems old to me.
Concordia University offers both Undergraduate and Graduate degrees. Education and business degrees however are the most common. Concordia also offers classes to current teachers for either their Colloquy or California credentials. They have also recently added an accelerated online study where undergraduates who are returning to college can finish their degree with minimal travel. At $333.00 per unit however it comes with a price.
Location Location Location
Located between the Turtle Rock and Woodbridge areas in Irvine, you are right down the street from University of California Irvine. Within walking distance from the campus housing resides a shopping center complete with grocery store, video rental, gas station and a college hangout. Irvine is very bike friendly with bike lanes on most major streets. And yes the beach is within biking distance, if you like to bike.
Newport and Balboa Beach sit about six miles from the campus. There is nothing better than studying for that philosophy exam on the soft sand with a cool breeze and ocean air to help you focus. If biking back to campus doesn't suit you, the 55 and 405 freeways will take you back in a jiffy.
Movie theaters, comedy clubs, restaurants and dance clubs can be found for outside entertainment. South Coast Plaza is a couple exits down one freeway. Venture in the other direction and you hit Wild Rivers Water Park. Also because Irvine is an expanding city, employment is fairly easy to find. It might not be your dream job, but that's why you're going to college.
Campus Life
Incoming freshman and transfer students arrive at the campus a week early for orientation. Great experience for those who are away from home for the first time. Freshmen and transfer students also reside in separate male or female dorm buildings. The dorm room actually consists of two separate living areas with a bathroom in between for the four students to share. Way back when there was a kitchen area for the students to also share. Currently that has been altered and freshmen now have a meal plan provided by the University to sustain nourishment.
Upper classmen have apartment type housing down the path from the dorms. Four students share an apartment complete with living room, two bedroom spacious bathroom, kitchen and dining area. All furniture and appliances are provided, but microwaves, TV's, bookcases and the like make great additions. The apartments all face inward toward an outdoor courtyard. Outside the apartments are little balconies where you can barbecue or just hang out. With both the dorm and apartments, there are resident counselors and resident advisors who help enforce campus rules, give guidance in course planning and are there for whatever the student needs.
Extracurricular activities abound on campus. Intramural sports, dramas, musicals, Greek games and so much more give students plenty of down time from studying. Whether you want to study at the library, eat at the cafe, hack into the grade banks via the computer lab, hang out at the student union or start a pick up game, there is always something to do.
Oh Yeah The Reason You Are Here: Classes
Because the school is only twenty-five years old, course and degree additions are constantly being made. Class size can be large be for the most part class size tends to be in the 30 students range. Professors go the extra mile being available for extra help, giving support and guidance and generally care about the student not only academically, but also as an individual. Guidance counselors help you pick out the courses that will benefit your goal. They keep track of how you are doing in academics and in other areas of your life. The administration, faculty and support staff are there to see you succeed and do everything they can to make that happen.
Knowing that becoming a teacher was my goal, course planning was fairly simple. For those who are unsure, Concordia offers a well-rounded selection of courses. Whether a Liberal Arts Degree, Business degree or Teaching credential is in your future Concordia will help you plan out the right path for you.
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Vicki
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