[blackbirdsjoy]

yeah I’m a Senior at Grace College. I go for the same reason as your Ex does. I get free tuition because my mom has worked at a place she doesn't really like for the past 8 years so I could go to a private school, and Damnit I better go whether I like it or not.

Why do so many people hate Grace? So many reasons, the people for one: like the ex said, Gracie's suck it. A lot of them have grown up in the church, never seeing much of real life (i.e. substance abuse, suicide). Growing up in complete emotional (or what they think is emotional), financial, and "spiritual" security.
`Its hard to be around these people, especially for the girls. Girls tend to be more offended by heavy words such as "suck", and "piss". A lot of them just don't understand that there are things not worth being offended over. But that’s because they've lived in a bubble their whole lives, continue to live in a bubble at Grace, and plan on living in a bubble they can raise their kids on. (Woo! Rock on Focus On the Family!!)
I think it makes them put too many expectations on people, they worry about the little things in life because that’s all they've seen, they have grown up in an environment that was generally speaking, pretty good. So they could hold up unrealistic standards as far as lifestyle. Think about it, if all you know about sex and drugs is that their “bad” and you think that’s all there is to know about them then you won’t be curious. You won’t involve your life in them and when you see someone who is, you instantly attach this negative thing to their persona.
It’s easier worry about the length of your skirt because they've never seen spousal abuse. I think a lot of people can relate to that on this board. It seems there are a number of people who were forced to fit into some spiritual mold and now that they have their freedom in college they're turning around to piss on it. Well, most of the people you will interact with at Grace are the ones that fit into that mold...
Rules: Yes, a college that not only has more rules that alumni, but one that enforces them. If any of you are interested I could post most of them, which I’m sure your not, it would only be redundant. One thing you have to understand about the rules is that a lot of them are there to promote healthy community. I have heard from several transfers as well as other people with experience on different campus’, that Grace has a different kind of community than the larger non-religious affiliated schools (Grace has about 750 students on campus). Dry campus, regulations that keep most of the student body in dorms and not off-campus, or rules that help promote a healthy community. People interact with each other and get involved in each others lives. A campus under 800, were all connected somehow. I can’t tell you how great it would be for me to be able to have a beer whenever I wanted. But I also don’t envy some of the stories I hear that take place on your guy’s halls.
Grace is also one of the cheapest places to go (as far as Christian private school). I think that’s one of the schools main selling points. A lot of the funding they count on comes from Alumni, also defined as old farts that live in the churches you’d like to burn. If Grace wants to change some rules, lets say, this year is the first year guys are allowed to wear visible piercing, ears only. There are a lot of people that financially support Grace who think that’s immoral, irresponsible, and a hindrance to character. Guess what, they just lost money.

Remember, people choose to go to Grace. Yes the rules can be stupid, and the people unbearable , but there are still students here, and the school still gets apps. I’m not like these people, but there is value in being able to live with them, and there are still things I can learn from them. And better yet, they can learn from me. And last thing, I’m just informing you of the people you’ll meet walking on Grace campus. There are so many that disobey the rules. I myself used to be apart of an elite group that hid cans of chew everywhere on the hall. (yes, tobacco consumption is also not allowed) but you wont meet many of those people. They like to hide away in there rooms, or get away from campus at every possible moment.
I’m sorry this was so long, in my first 4 years here at Grace this is one of the few times someone asked what I thought about it, I went overboard, and no one had to read it. Thanks for the op.

[ October 14, 2005, 04:29 AM: Message edited by: blackbirdsjoy ]