(update from 1/20/02 at bottom)

I am currently in my Junior Year at liberty. Last month I wrote a really long opinion regarding the college, but AOL logged me off and I lost the whole text, so here is my second attempt- a bit shorter but this time I will break the comments into categories so you can decide what interests you most. Before I do so, I just want to say that this school has gotten better each year I've gone here, and I'm sure that there are a lot of factors that contribute to my decision. I live off campus, have finally met some solid friends, and feel more secure in my academics.... oh and I have a boyfriend! I think that will make any girl happy. So here is the breakdown of LU.

RULES- I find that most people complain about the rules.... dress code for men and women (guys collared shirts and khaki pants, girls skirts with length regulations, etc) are quite dressy but they have gotten more casual as the semesters go by. Last semester they abolished the mandatory "guys must wear ties" rule. On campus students have a curfew that is in effect around 12 every night (on average). You can only hold hands with your lover, sorry no pecks on the lips or anything further then that- if you get nabbed you have to meet with the dean, but I'm sure this rule is broken more than any other here. You can’t wear shorts to the food cafeteria. Also there are room checks three times a week, and three times a week you have to go to convocation, which lasts an hour. It’s basically like a morning church service. This can be frustrating if you want to sleep in. You cant live off campus unless you are 22 and you cant sign out for the night unless you are going to a married persons house! Jeez!! If you get in trouble or violate any of the rules... you get reps, which are money fines and can restrict the freedom privileges that are given to you. I got reps a few times but nothing big at all. Once I got reps for not showing up to my CLEP test, which I paid 45.00 to go to, and ditched it for a concert. I give them my money, don’t show up, and they still fine me! Oh well! So anyways, check out the student handbook for all the rules.

ACADEMICS - Science and nursing are the most challenging and honorable majors offered here at liberty. Psychology and Communications dept are the easiest I would think, from what I have heard from peers. Business department is the most popular. And for the obvious part- most jocks and sports players choose sports management. Teacher Education is basically a girl-dominated program; I hear its pretty decent and a five-year program at that. If you want to be a teacher, enroll right away- my word of advice. I don’t know much about the youth / Christian ministries department, they are in a different section. But I have mostly met some people that I thought were awesome for the program, and just a few others who made me cringe at the fact they wanted to be an example of God to youngsters or a church congregation. I cant think of any other departments I know right now... oh well the English program has great teachers if you get the right ones. Ask around who is the best or it will make you hate English. That goes for the math teachers too... and history teachers... if you want to major here. There are two incredible sociology classes and one of the guys graduated from Harvard I believe. And as far as the math department goes, they are all really smart but don’t know how to communicate with math students who need help in the subject (and don’t call me unfair- I want to be a math teacher!).

GENERAL CLASS REQUIREMENTS- every college requires you to complete a list of classes for their school, in order for you to graduate. At liberty, half the required classes are bible classes. This can be another important issue among newcomers and transfer students. Maybe I am just saying this from personal experience. I yet have 80 percent left of these classes to take- they seem to be more of an annoyance then a reward. I only say this because out of the two or three bible classes I have had- I feel that they did not make much of an impact on me or educate me as much as I expected. But maybe I just wasn’t a good listener or knew all the stuff from Sunday school- I guess you will have to find out for yourself. The other general requirements aren’t arguable, except for the fact that the science classes are hard and can lower your GPA if you struggle in that area. But I cant stress this enough--- ask around who the best teachers are to take, they can make your experience so much better or ruin it. Clashing with a teacher really can hurt your attitude and grade- and trust me I’ve had my share of teachers who shouldn’t be teaching.

FOOD- the Marriott is what they call it. Food got a little bit better since i've been here. Best thing about there food is that they have a large variety of meals, for every meal. Breakfast isn’t so hot, but only 5 percent of students with meal plans eat breakfast so what do you expect. Some nights are betters than others- thanksgiving meal is by far their best. The desert is pretty tasty as well... and they always serve ice cream. This is the best place to converse with friends I think- I don’t know if that is good or bad. Outside Marriott Lynchburg is full of chain restaurants.. that is the south for you.

ON CAMPUS LIVING- I didn’t dig it, but at least stick it out your freshman year. Guy RA's tend to be way cooler than girl ones. Required hall meeting is every Thursday night, followed by optional devotions. Once it is curfew , you have to stay in your hall. Make sure you get a roommate that has a similar schedule to yours, or you can butt head like I politely did my freshman year. And each dorm room has a sink so that is cool... but one thing that isn’t cool is how crowded a dorm room can be of up to 3 or 4 people.

SPORTS PROGRAMS- Men’s baseball women’s basketball and co-ed track is by far the best. Women’s softball and men’s tennis follows. Right now they are recruiting girls tennis players, a new sport slot added to liberty. Our football team is not so hot, and I don’t think we have ever been.

CITY LIFE - Lynchburg is a pretty decent sized city with 24-hour food stores, gas stations, and Wal-Mart super center, which is confidently located across the street from school. the mall is not as big as it should be for the size city Lynchburg is, but it is never overcrowded to their credit. the sunsets are incredible. there are only 2 clubs and I think one is 21+ now.. if you get caught there that would suck. there aren’t too many bars either and mostly old faithful residents and all girls’ school students flock there most. I can’t think of much to do at night, or day- but maybe it’s just not my scene. the Blue Ridge parkway is about 30 min away and you can camp and hike right near the Appalachian Trail. that’s my kind of thing. there is a huge lake about 45 min away too called smith mtn lake, and that is a great beach to lay out or swim at. Wintertime you can snowboard or ski at wintergreen resort, almost an hour away. so there are things to do, but lots of times you tend to say "for a town this size, you figure there’d be more". oh yeah, dollar movie theatre, that is so awesome. just remember that you aren’t supposed to see R rated movies though, or own them at your stay at LU. that is a rule that even the strictest of students will ignore OOOOhhh here is a funny tidbit... coming home (new jersey) leaves people calling me southern girl because they say I have developed an accent, which I argue at constantly. I don’t really adjust well with the slow southern style and pace of life, being that I am a northerner... but if you dig it-- more power to you. most people say ya'll and you even get some confederate sheltered hicks that will call you a Yankee if you show your northern heritage. just remember adjusting to Virginia might be a little hard at first, but just remember if you make good humor out of it then you will get by.

SPIRITUAL LIFE- basically all I have to say here is you spiritual life is what you make of it. you can go to so many church services, meetings, events, etc and you can decide to skip out and do homework or hang out with friends instead. the choice is yours. that also goes along with whom you hang out with. your friends may often reflect you. I’ve seen a bunch of pothead/ raver/ crazy kids in my time here and tons of home schooled conservative quiet polite students as well. its who you meet and click with that you most likely become. and I’m not saying that either type of person/clique is good or bad but its up to you what you want to do. each year the school tends to get a little more liberal, leaving you with ever growing diversity and culture-, which I like. just make sure you are not compromising your morals and conscience and its all good.

GETTING OUT OF SCHOOL FASTER- take as many CLEP tests as you can and look into the EDP program (you watch videos to make up for 3 credit classes, mostly general education classes). Too many people realize they can do this too late so that is my word of advice to you... check it out!! You will thank me ten million times over for this.

I can’t think of what else to write. I hope I covered most of the important things. just a reminder before I finish this commentary--- parking at liberty can be really frustrating with lots of stuff under construction, and the business and admission office doesn’t seem to solve your problems as quickly as you wish most times. there is an airport right near school but it is expensive to fly out of. well other than that, you are on your own but hopefully my insight on liberty will help shape your consideration to attend or look at LU. Good Luck! email me if you have any other questions.

A*nd tuition and room and board comes to around 14,000 it is more of a less expensive school*

ps. if you ever wanted to transfer at this school, do it by your second year or your stuck. I’ve met cool transfers that come to the school and i’ve met some cool people that have transferred out of liberty.

***UPDATE ---- Right now the school is going through major construction. Parking is a mess and the classes seem to be limited. There are a few more buildings that the school hasn't even started to work on (a pool and large church). In a few years this school is going be so much less chaotic, but at the moment everything seems to be in such confusion. As far as my previous comments on the food went, I am not pleased with how the school has taken over "The Hangar". The hangar is a building that HAD three different independantly run food shops. Now the school forced these entrepeneurs out and has replaced each shop with horrible food exactly identical to the food they provide in their cafeteria. The school is also trying to get rid of some of their old fashioned rules (girls can now wear pants from Dec 1 - March 1) to appeal to more high school college searchers. I think this is very cool except the majority of the teachers are all complaining about how "lax rules contribute to uneducated" students. Whatever! And one more thing I need to add. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THIS SCHOOL PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL TEACHERS ARE EXTREMELY STRICT ON ATTENDANCE AND RARELY SHOW MERCY. I will never understand this rule. I would go to class every day either way, I just think it is more of a power trip than a rule of respect. I am not totally bashing my school but I just want to express some of my opinions and concerns towards Liberty University. I have three more semesters left and I do not have any desire to transfer but I will be so glad to get out!

Recommended: Yes