Taylor University (TU)

Studying and service go hand-in-hand at Taylor University, a Christian liberal arts school in Upland, Indiana. Students say, "the Christian faith present in everything the school does makes Taylor a very unique place that is very welcoming and assuring to every student," which can be seen in the way all 90 of the majors and minors available complete classes found in Taylor's Foundational Core, which includes Scripture Engagement. Students additionally find comfort in professors who "are both top-notch intellectually but also are so involved in their students' lives," or as enrollees put it, they "have a remarkable care for the students' well-being and learning" and "are very intentional and get to know their students." It helps that "classes are small enough that we always have active conversation during class" and also that faculty are "constantly publishing research, studying research, and active in seminars and conventions, [which] allows them to give up the most recent and up-to-date information possible." Perhaps best of all, "classes are constantly shifting the way content is learned and discussed" such that "projects often will push us out of our comfort zones and get us some out-of-classroom experience in meeting and facilitating people." Students also say that the highly encouraged "study abroad trips provide a unique learning environment to not only experience academia differently, but also learn about new cultures." Overall, "the administration cares deeply about students and is very responsive."

Students report that "the amount of learning and love shared by everyone at the university is incredible." A student says, "We are overachievers and not ashamed about it though there is a sense of humility in most students that comes from our faith." This group "is full of welcoming and energetic people who are genuinely passionate about the Lord and actively pursue deep relationships." Individual "dorms have very tight communities and cultures," and the "campus has a family-style atmosphere. We also know how to have a lot of fun which creates a vibrant campus life." The students in general are "kind-hearted and joy-filled" and as one student sums up: "The traditions, chapel, and classrooms, all bring us together, but the most mundane moments are where the raw, genuine interactions shine through."

Taylor "is located in a rural area which encourages the students to create fun events on campus as opposed to going off campus to hang out" and it's "not uncommon to have 3-4 events per night." The university "has created a very intentional community that genuinely supports each other" and everyone here is "highly committed to campus events and traditions." And while Taylor is a Christian school, the degree of involvement in religious life is up to each studentthere is "chapel three times a week which is not required but the vast majority chooses to attend."

Residence halls are divided into wings or floors that act as small communities, and each one creates "events for their communities to grow closer and have fun," from Christmas decorating or turning "their floor into an Oregon trail game and people came through and tried to survive." Outside of the halls, "intramurals are a great way to get everyone involved and produces a competitive spirit that brings people together," and "evening game nights are common." Usually "people play yard games outside when the weather is good and use the fieldhouse to do other activities once it starts to get cold," or simply "enjoy getting coffee and chatting in our student center, playing disc golf around campus, and 'walking the loop' around campus."