Choosing a college is about more than academics—it’s about finding a place where you feel supported, challenged, and aligned with your values.
In our recent Estrela webinar, we brought together admissions representatives from four outstanding institutions - University of Notre Dame, Hope College, Belmont University, and College of the Holy Cross - to help families better understand what it really means to explore faith-based college options.
This conversation was driven by something we see often in our work with students: misconceptions about faith-based schools and what the student experience is actually like.
You can watch the full webinar below:
One of the most powerful throughlines of the conversation was a direct challenge to a common misconception: that faith-based colleges are only for deeply religious students.
As one panelist shared, “Students come to us from all different backgrounds and beliefs—and that diversity of thought is something we value.”
Across all four schools, the message was clear:
Many students and families hesitate to explore faith-based colleges because of assumptions like:
Our panelists challenged these ideas directly.
Across all four institutions, they emphasized:
While each school has its own identity, several themes came up consistently:
Students often describe a strong sense of belonging and connection. Whether through campus traditions, service opportunities, or residential life, these schools tend to foster close-knit communities.
Many faith-based institutions emphasize service, leadership, and making a positive impact. This can show up in:
One of the most reassuring points for families:
Students are typically invited, not required, to engage in faith-based programming.
Opportunities like:
…are available for those who seek them, but participation is often optional.
All four panelists emphasized that their institutions are, first and foremost, academically rigorous.
Students are challenged in the classroom while also being encouraged to think deeply about:
As with any college search, fit is everything.
Students should consider:
For students:
For parents:
If you’re curious about faith-based colleges, here are a few next steps:
At the end of the webinar, we shared a curated list of resources to help families continue their exploration:
Find Your Christian College: North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals created Find Your Christian College to help students explore Christian colleges and universities across North America. This resource allows families to search for best-fit schools, access The Higher Education Guide, and connect with colleges through fairs and events.
Jesuit Excellence Tours (JET): Prospective applicants interested in pursuing their undergraduate degrees at a Jesuit institution are encouraged to check out the Jesuit Excellence Tour (JET) program: a series of recruitment events that allow admissions staff at Jesuit colleges and universities to jointly recruit targeted areas across the country.
National Catholic College Admission Association: National Catholic College Admission Association is a nonprofit network of Catholic colleges and universities dedicated to promoting the value of Catholic higher education and supporting students in their transition to college. They also offer an annual scholarship for graduating high school seniors.
Summer Religious and Faith Programs: Crowd-sourced list of religious and faith-based summer programs for high school students (list compiled by Gravely Group College Advising).
Faith-based colleges are often misunderstood—but for many students, they offer a powerful combination of academic excellence, meaningful community, and purpose-driven education.
At Estrela, we encourage students to explore broadly, ask thoughtful questions, and ultimately choose a college where they feel both challenged and supported.