Located just 20 miles from Philadelphia in a small town, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a four-year liberal arts school that is affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem. The school might seem small but with nearly 250 students from 14 states and over 15 foreign countries, students get a well-rounded and diverse experience while attending school.
Administrators hope that through the teaching at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church the faculty and professors will be able to “enhance students’ civil, moral, and spiritual life, as well as to contribute to human spiritual welfare.” Administrators also stress the importance of an academic education teaching students quantitative reasoning, writing skills, and critical thinking.
Students can select from seven majors at Bryn Athyn College. Majors include English that focuses on clarity of expression and development of ideas; an Interdisciplinary Major that lets students combine elements of different majors into one; and Religion that focuses on the bible.
School History
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church was founded in 1877 under the name of Academy of the New Church to train ministers. It became affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem in 1890.
After receiving a significant amount of money from John Pitcairn, the school soon was able to develop a high school and junior college. The college became a four-year institution in 1922 giving both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. It wasn’t un 1977 that the school adopted the name of Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.
Campus Life
Over 60% of students at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church live on the 130-acre campus. Just miles away form Philadelphia, students can choose to take a day trip, get a part-time job, or explore the numerous opportunities a big city can offer them. Students can also hike through the eight miles of trails and woods that surround the campus giving them time to think and explore their surroundings.
When students need to study or want a “pick me up” they can go to the campus coffee shop. When they need a lift, they can use one of the campus’ “recycled cycles”, yellow bicycles found all over campus that students can use to bring them from point A to point B.
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church encourages students to get involved on campus by joining clubs and organizations or participating in Open Mic nights and Barbecues. Students can write for the newspaper or dance in the Dance Ensemble. Students can also participate in 10 varsity sports including lacrosse, soccer, and ice hockey.
Every winter the school puts on a play where students serve as cast and crew. The Miracle Worker, Into the Woods, and The Crucible are among recent plays the college has put on.
Financial Aid
The financial department at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church offers students both merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid. The department gave an average award package of $10,000 in the 2008-2009 school year. Furthermore, 100% of students who were found to need financial aid received it, while 30% of students saw their needs fully met. Costing close to $30,000 a year to attend students can expect to be $9,000 in debt upon graduation.
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