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When selecting your stomping ground for the next four years, you've got endless factors to consider -- academics, size, programs, campus, location, and more. For some, that list also includes religion. There are plenty of religious students who attend secular colleges, and even non-religious students who attend colleges with a particular religious affiliation. Take a look at why some of these students decided to seek a higher calling for their higher education.

Name: Brandon Wells
School: Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
Affiliation: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Reason: "One main reason was being around students and instructors who share most of my beliefs and values," he explains. "Religious schools strive to separate themselves through rules and structure, but also try to be like regular, state universities. Look at the sports programs at Notre Dame, Texas Christian University, and Brigham Young University: These religious schools instill a tradition of excellence in athletic programs and promote that spirit on campus."

Name: Jennifer Bass
School: Abilene Christian University (ACU, Abilene, TX)
Affiliation: Christian
Reason: "Higher education within a Christian environment was an important factor in my decision process," says the senior integrated marketing communications and English student. "I know that at many universities I would be challenged spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically, but at ACU, I am encouraged and supported as I face those challenges."

Name: Jonathan Rosnick
School: Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, WV)
Affiliation: Jesuit (Roman Catholic)
Reason: "At first I wasn't only looking at Jesuit schools, but there was something different about the campus when I visited that I can't put into words," he explains. "Spirituality and religion are important to me, and I like that I have professors who are priests and actually take an interest in my life. Plus, Wheeling Jesuit, unlike other Jesuit schools, is the only one with 'Jesuit' in its name. I think that says something."

Name: Missy Buttry
School: Wartburg College (Waverly, IA)
Affiliation: Lutheran
Reason: "Religion is a big thing for me," says Missy, a distance runner who was drawn to the fact that Wartburg was affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and that her track coaches were Christians. "I pray that God will give me strength and that I won't feel any pain [during competition]."


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Paul D. Rosevear is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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