Christendom College in Front Royal has
always had high academic standards for admission and for its students to
persist through its rigorous liberal arts program and graduate. In recent
years, the college has received increased interest from students with very high
standardized test scores, who want to immerse themselves in a rigorous program
of studies, but also to work closely with faculty mentors in a collaborative
manner. This past fall, the average SAT score for incoming students was at an
all-time high of 1240.
In an effort to meet the demands of
these academic-minded students, Christendom’s department chairs wanted to find
a way to help prepare them for greater success at college and afterward. In the
fall of 2016, academic dean Ben Reinhard spearheaded the Advanced Studies
program, which gives select students the opportunity to do extra work,
including research projects and private tutorials with faculty members.
“Advanced Studies was born out of a
desire to give students who wanted more, more,” said Reinhard. “We wanted to
provide students with an opportunity to expand their studies in more depth
outside the confines of what a normal course allows.”
Students who meet a certain SAT
threshold may join Advanced Studies, but students who show a certain dedication
to academic life also can apply. Professors design contracts for the students to
enrich the student’s academic experience.
During each semester, students might
take on extra reading or writing in a course. In a Latin class, for example, a
student might do additional reading beyond their normal translations. In an English
class, a student might read more than just Beowulf — they could also dig more
into the culture of Anglo-Saxon England.
“The program is about more than just
reading extra material,” said Joseph Brutto, director of the program. “It’s the
personal tutorials with professors that make this a really enriching
experience. Christendom is already known for the personal connections between
students and professors, and Advanced Studies makes this possibility even more
fulfilling for the student.”
Advanced Studies students are getting
even more out of their classes.
“While I’m a philosophy major, I have
been able to participate in advanced studies programs in both English and
political science as well, and in both cases I have discovered that, not only
did my love for the subject increase, but I found myself marveling at the
incredible depth of the science I was studying, as I realized how much more there
is to uncover and learn,” said junior Joseph Kelly.
Students are at an even bigger
advantage in preparing for post-graduate studies in helping students hone in on
what they want to study, and help with crafting graduate school applications.
The program may be only two years old,
but the positive results are showing already, especially in the research
projects that students are undertaking of their own accord. The range and depth
of these projects has been a joy for history professor Brendan McGuire, who has
helped students on their advanced studies projects.
Students at Christendom already have
great relationships with the faculty due to the size of the school and the
generosity of the professors with their time. Advanced Studies is taking that
to another level, resulting in students with an even greater academic prowess
and an even greater thirst for knowledge.
Programs like Advanced Studies are
helping the college recruit and educate the best possible students, while also
preparing students to help restore academia as a whole. Christendom students
are stepping up to help lead the charge, fulfilling the mission of the college
in the process.
Smith is the public relations officer for Christendom
College.