Looking For a Nice Safe Community with a Fairly Conservative College

12.07.02 | mlmr

[Robert A Cook PE]

Marietta/Acwoth/Kennesaw/Dallas GA (south of Lake Allatoona, in the counties to the NW of Atlanta in the foothills of the mountains.

Weather's coolest in the south, we've elected Bob Barr (Cobb & Paulding Cty), John Linder (now Paulding Cty), Newt Gingrich (Cobb Cty), and a host of other conservatives to both the national and state offices. (If you prefer home security, Kennesaw has the (optional) household firearms requirement - if that's any indication of how conservative an area this is. Little crime in either Cobb or Paulding Counties... slightly more in downtown Marietta.)

Schools? Cobb County had two bands place in antionals at the latest National HS Band competition, and numerous (regular academic awards - though GA overall ranks low in schools admittedly, these blow away everybody else in the state except Gwinnett Cty on the NE of Atlanta.

AP and Honors courses available starting in MS and going through HS: my daughter transferred to one of the (several)local colleges after her 2nd year in HS and graduated early with both college and HS credits - so she'll be able to graduate college 5-1/2 years after starting HS. That dual-enrollment HS-college prgram is free, by the way, but you have to pay for the college-level books and then get re-imbursed.

plenty of work available without going into Atlanta if want to avoid the commute - and traffic IS a problem. Well, can be a problem if you don't plan for.

[concentric circles]

Here's an interesting article from Insight Magazine about fine colleges which includes their list of the top 50. Many appear to approach your criterion.

[toddst]

How interesting you attended Asbury College. Wilmore is a nice little town and certainly a special place for Christians with the college and Asbury Seminary across the street from each other. Always Christian events (speakers, etc) of interest available.

We're considering moving there for retirement (Wesley Methodist Village) which is within walking distance of the college, the seminary and downtown. Also a relatively new Veteran's home as a special opportunity for volunteer work with resident Vets.

[fightin kentuckian]

Yes Ricks is predominately LDS as are most areas bordering Utah, Las Vegas included.

Alot of people would have a lot of problems with sending biracial or minority students to Kentucky; however this is only because of reverse bigotry. Having grown up in the hills, near butcher holler, it is true there arent many minorities but these are not racist people. For the most part they are live and let live and dont have a mean bone in their bodies. Please dont let these prejudices keep you from sending them to a good collge in ky. As you are probably aware it is horrable to be judged by how people percieve you without having ever met you.

Good luck in your search.

Tim

[Robert A Cook PE]

Oh - Colleges:

Best local for teaching and nursing and chemistry or lib. arts or business - Kennesaw State, in Cobb Cty. They've got a music/music ed dept too, but neither has football - lots of other atheletics if you care.) In-state tutition is free if you've got the grades from homeschool/highschool, can stay at home and expect maybe 450-600.00 in total out-of-pocket for the semester.

Best local engineering/engineering tech/arch./science college is Southern Poly State in Marietta. Same free tutition rules for GA residents. About the same costs out of pocket, unless as mentioned you're dual enrolled so your final two HS years are actaully spent at the college taking college classes.

Best (nearest) collge is Jacksonville State Univ. across teh Alabama state line about 80 miles west. If you're from Paulding Cty you get AL state tutition (1250/semester full-time students) for a total registration+fees+everything of 2250.00 per semester. Figure 1100.00 more for room & cafeteria food plan and maybe 250.00 or so for books per semester.

JSU is VERY conservative (nursing, teaching, law enforcement, some social stuff) and a VERY GOOD band and music program with a nationally rated marching band and orchestral dept. Their football team ain't so great, but you go for the half-time show anyway.

JSU is a few miles north of Annistin AL which still is low economically since the Army base there closed, but it is recovering. (Don't look for much night-life if your youngsters go there for college, but they're close enough to vist regularly (and wash clothes), but too far to spend every weekend at home.) Don't know of much new work in the Annistin area, but it is improving.

[TejasRose]

I was surprised to see that Abilene, Texas was mentioned! Abilene is a great town, and I would like to recommend Hardin-Simmons University. Great school and great professors. My oldest son received his BA from there and is now in a Ph.D. program at Texas Tech University in Lubbock - not as conservative but probably moreso than many of the eastern and western universities. I know everyone disses (is that how it's spelled) Texas for its scenery and weather, but I guess that's all in the eye of the beholder, huh? You'll find great folks in Texas! Yee-haw!!

[TxBec]

Oh did I say central **Texas**?.. uh.. I meant.. Rhode Island.. yeah.. that's it!

[TxBec]

I still have fond memories of the breathtaking scenery on my drive up to Lubbock..uh.. wait.. nothing but tumbleweed... nevermind :)

[nanny]

I thought that was what you meant!!

[TejasRose]

I still have fond memories of the breathtaking scenery on my drive up to Lubbock..uh.. wait.. nothing but tumbleweed

Aw, come on, Bec, give us West Texans a break! You need to see a tumbleweed Christmas tree! I am very serious!! Spray painted and with lights! Sometimes we have to make our own entertainment! LOL Seriously, if you're ever back out this way, I will take you to some very beautiful spots not far from here. We don't have mountains, but we have some beautiful hills and canyons not far from here. Also, Buffalo Gap is a very pretty little village with lots of history.

[MHT]

William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA--esp. great if you get in-state VA tuition.

Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri--movie-set small town

Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN--All male, return to the 50's, no federal monies taken, lots and lots of scholarships for everybody.

[MHT]

BTW, William and Mary has the #1 rated college in the country for preparing teachers of gifted education and runs special programs with local school children to diagnose their talents, create supplemental programs, etc. Their involvement has been a Godsend for minority children in the area who would have had little opportunity otherwise.

[TxBec]

We'll be up that way again...definitely.. and I'll call ya in advance next time and not do a "drive by" :)

[mlmr]

This thread is a good resource for anyone seeking to move to a more conservative and safer life.

[mlmr]

to beat back the influx of Massachusetts socialist/atheists.

I am not sure I can manage anymore Flatlanders. We are nigh surrounded with 'em here... And they have certainly have changed things.

[nepdap]

Our daughter (high school junior) is interested in Wheaton College in Illinois. Any Freepers with Wheaton experiences?

[mlmr]

This IS truly a great country!! I am so blessed!! And wonderful Freepers are a part of what makes this country great!!

[VOA]

Safety and conservative culture are two major factors here.

Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Art is my suggestion. It used to be
Oklahoma Christian College; they just did a "name upgrade" a few years ago
due to starting some advanced degree programs.
It is located on the northern edge of Oklahoma City, just south of Edmond, OK.
It's affiliated (not run by) with the mainstream Churches of Christ...
if that sounds too conservative, don't worry...when I attended years ago I had some
classmates who were from other church bodies (Catholic, etc.).

And don't let the tuition rates put you off; lots of student aid and grants/scholarships
usually make the school afforable.

[mlmr]

What kind of climate do I like?

Cool summers and snowy winters!! And with God's grace a trip to a warm climate in ....ah...February!!

[mlmr]

I have heard wonderful things about Pepperdine. I don't think I can afford California though. I need to find a five bedroom house for not much money!!