Why I Chose Covenant: Christian Education, Small Classes, and 13:1 Ratio
I grew up in a strong Christian family, much like many of my peers, with my earliest years shaped by a private, Christ-centered education. When my family moved from our close-knit Christian community in southeast Atlanta to a small town in Oregon, I entered the public school system from seventh grade through the end of high school. I approached this transition with eagerness to experience a new environment, yet I also felt uncertain about navigating peers whose worldviews and family structures differed from my own.
Leaving Public Classrooms for a Christ-Centered Community
By the end of my second semester of my junior year, I toured Covenant. Although I loved the beautiful campus and the Christian education and community, I still lacked clarity about what I wanted from my college education and overall experience. After visiting several other universities, I began to genuinely value Christian education again and longed to return to that kind of community. My interest in Covenant grew when I attended a sneakPEAK, sat in a biology class, and met the professor. As someone aspiring to go into the medical field, being taught the sciences from Christian worldviews was very important to me. I also desired the close-knit community, small class sizes, and meaningful relationships between professors and students.
From that moment, I pursued every scholarship and financial aid opportunity available. Through the support of my family and friends, and much prayer, God provided. I eagerly prepared and awaited to move on campus and begin this new chapter of my life.
Becoming a Community Development Major
Initially, I declared a biology major with a chemistry minor, planning to attend physician assistant school after Covenant. Early on, I found the complex science curriculum difficult and struggled to comprehend it in ways I needed, especially while adjusting to college life. However, when I took the course Theory of Community Development, I immediately fell in awe of the field and the major. Since community development is one of the smaller departments here at Covenant, the classes tend to be more intimate and the professors in the department are able to devote meaningful time and support to their students.
Ultimately, I decided to minor in biology with aspirations of attending nursing school, and chose community development as my major so that I could pursue my calling to care for underserved communities more directly while following my passion for medicine. If I had stayed a biology major or switched to another major, I would have still experienced small class sizes and meaningful relationships with professors, but it would not have shaped me as well for my future vocation as a holistic nurse practitioner working in a community health center.
Looking Back
Now, as a senior who graduated in May, I am very grateful that I chose Covenant for my undergraduate education because it has given me a strong foundation both academically and spiritually. Although I could have easily transferred to another school to earn my BSN, rather than taking an additional year to complete my ABSN, I would not have gained the well-rounded liberal arts education that shaped my beliefs and broadened my perspectives. Covenant’s small class sizes and 13:1 student-faculty ratio equipped me with skills and knowledge that will flourish my future career and the young woman God calls me to be.