Bob Jones University

The university's accreditation (and lack thereof for some programs) can be a tremendous hindrance to future careers.

The people there were nice, but I would not reccomend this college. It is too expensive to risk your career on a degree you might not get credit for. This school needs to let prospective students know this . . . but it doesn't.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

I attended Bob Jones University for three unfortunate semesters.
My parents attended this University and as my father was/is a Baptist fundamentalist pastor, they had every intention of sending me and my siblings there as well. As I was completely sheltered in the Bob Jones brand of fundamentalism, I had little opportunity to see the university as it really is.

I arrived on campus with every intention to be a success. I was a music major and secretly harbored hopes of going to a music conservatory after graduation. I was completely unprepared for the stifling, academic, spiritual and social environment that I was stepping into. I struggled immediately with juggling the demanding course work with my practice time. I had an on-campus job that was not at all sympathetic to my needs as a student. I was made fun of because I was working in a warehouse and was a music major.

The rules are overbearing and many good students are penalized for simply messing up or forgetting a rule. I was made APC (Assistant Prayer Captain) my last semester which means that I was the "leader" of my room as well as two other rooms. About three weeks before the end of the semester, I was going to turn in an English paper when my computer-to-printer connection malfunctioned. I couldn't even get the paper off my computer to print elsewhere. So, I decided to skip a couple classes in order to re-type the paper on another computer and print it off. Of course, I was recorded as "absent" and reported to the Discipline Committee (the DC is a place where you have to go confess your sins/beg for leniency when you are written up for an infraction). Now, I was aware that confessing to missing two classes on purpose would get you big demerits from the school, which could put your social life and freedom into jeopardy (you could get "socialed," which means no talking to the opposite sex, or "campused," which means you are under house arrest, no opportunity to go off campus. Now if you "accidentally" miss a class, however, the penalties were much less serious. I know many students would simply lie to get the lesser fine, but I resolved to tell the truth and ask for understanding. BIG MISTAKE! They not only gave me the demerits, but this put me over the limit and I was immediately "socialed."

I was later informed that I cannot remain an Assistant Prayer Captain while being socialed, so I would be told to move my belongings to another room. Remember, this occurred with around 3 weeks left in the semester! They moved me to a room on the very same floor, probably 9-10 doors from my current location! All this, for missing 2 classes in order to re-type a term paper that I couldn't get to print off my computer!!

That was my last semester at Bob Jones University. The folks that give this place a good review are essentially brainwashed. For a Christian university, this was the most uncaring, legalistic drones you will ever encounter. The amount of emotional abuse that goes on at this school is mind-blowing.

My sister graduated from BJU and still thinks it is great. BJU now has a sports program, however, I distinctly remember the school telling us that BJU would NEVER have a athletic program because it would detract from the spiritual leadership they wanted. The Preacher Boys were supposed to be the leaders on campus, so they didn't want it to be a bunch of jocks. Guess what? BJU has gone through some financial trouble and saw the light. They now have invested money in starting a sports program. Money Talks.

I cannot be clear enough.... BJU is a cult. No, I'm not just being dramatic. They make every effort to close their world off from outside eyes. They try to control information, when you get up, when you go to sleep, who you can talk to, the length of your sideburns, where you go to church, where you go when you go out with friends. They design the system to keep tabs on you at all time. When I was there, you had to sign a form stating where you were going and who you were going to be going with, and when you would be back . Please go somewhere else and let Bob Jones University fade slowly into oblivion.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2015

Campus Maintenance: A, Individual Value: F