Biola University

For over 100 years, Biola University has been carrying out its mission of biblically-centered education, scholarship and service, equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. Biola is a nationally ranked, fully accredited private evangelical Christian university composed of seven schools: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, School of Intercultural Studies, School of Professional Studies, Rosemead School of Psychology, and Talbot School of Theology.

Biola provides a premier education that integrates the Bible in over 35 majors including: communication, education, psychology, nursing, business, pre-med, Christian education, and music. The university offers degrees ranging from B.A. to Ph.D. Biola prepares students to impact the world for Christ in their chosen careers while fostering spiritual development in a community where all faculty, staff and students are professing Christians. Every student is required to take 30 units of biblical studies, all students attend chapel three times a week, and student ministry involvement is expected.

While officially non-denominational, Biola is well-known for its conservative Evangelical doctrine (many other Evangelical schools identify as either moderate or liberal). The most represented denominations at the university are Baptist and Evangelical Free, but Biola students and faculty hold to a myriad of perspectives within the overall schema of Protestant orthodoxy. From the beginning, Biola adopted a stance of equal access to Christian higher education “for all people, without reference to race, color or class.”

Biola University was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute Of Los Angeles. The original building, financed by oil millionaire and Christian philanthropist Lyman Stewart, was located in downtown LA. (The Whittier Narrows earthquake of 1987 caused significant damage to the building; it was condemned, and demolished in 1988.) Between 1912 and 1928 Biola was a leader in conservative Christianity, having also established a publishing house and Christian radio station. When Biola fell into hard times during the Great Depression, an intensive national fundraising effort saved the school from financial ruin.

In the 1950s, the demands imposed by an enlarged curriculum and a growing student body prompted the purchase of a larger site in La Mirada, 22 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Biola’s suburban campus of 95 acres is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. The campus rests on the border of Orange and Los Angeles counties, placing students in the middle of one of the largest and most diverse metropolitan areas in the world, just minutes from all that Southern California has to offer such as beaches, deserts, mountains, scenic drives, theme parks, movie studios, museums, art galleries, and much more!

There are many different opportunities for Biola students to get involved in campus activities, clubs, student government, publications, and the arts. Athletes are welcome at Biola, whether you want to compete against other schools or just want to play with other students on campus. Varsity sports include: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track, and Volleyball. Other sports include: Lacrosse, Archery, Flag Football, Ultimate Frisbee, Bowling, Dodgeball, and Sand Volleyball. Biola also has many traditions that allow students to join in and have some good clean fun, from talent shows to watergun competitions.

For over 20 years, Biola University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a “National University,” which they consider “the major leagues of higher education.” Total university enrollment is nearly 6,000, with 24% of students from out of state. The average Critical Reading / Math SAT score for incoming freshman at Biola is 1123. The average Composite ACT score is 23. The Biola admissions process usually begins the fall or winter of a student’s senior year in high school, but as of July 2011 they are still accepting applications for the Fall 2011 semester.

Homeschool students will need to submit an official homeschool transcript, current through the time of application. The homeschool transcript should include a letter grade assigned for each subject studied, beginning in the 9th year of schooling, as well as the signature of the homeschooling parent or agency representative. A final official transcript must be submitted stating the student’s graduation date or the date when studies were completed. In the absence of a transcript, you will have to take the GED or California Proficiency Exam, but if a final transcript is submitted these tests are not required. However, the SAT or ACT is required of all applicants, with at least a 920 Critical Reading / Math score on the SAT, or a Composite 19 score on the ACT.

As a Biola student, it’s important that you possess a Christian commitment and character that match that of the university. Applicants must submit a reference form filled out by a member of the pastoral staff of your church that supports your Christian testimony. In addition, you have the option to submit a reference letter from a high school teacher, counselor, or a college instructor that attests to your academic ability. Both references should be provided by persons outside of your own family.

Biola recommends prospective students take the following classes prior to enrolling in the university: 4 years of English, 3 years of Mathematics, 2-4 years of Foreign Language, 2 years of Science, 2 years of Social Science. Elective courses in fine arts and PE are encouraged. Prospective nursing candidates must have one year each of chemistry and algebra. Biology majors must have one year each of chemistry and physics. (Note: Deficiencies in the student’s homeschool curriculum may be made up while at Biola.)

Biola Youth Academics Online

Are you homeschooling your teen? How would you like to supplement their education with online courses from one of the most trusted names in evangelical higher education?

Homeschool mom Kari Frye writes: “I had to let you all know about this. I just found out that Biola University has online home school classes for teens. This is the college I went to and LOVED it! Here is the web site: http://youth.biola.edu/academics/online/ . The Torrey program that they are expanding for High School level in these classes is part of why I am now homeschooling. I loved what the Torrey students were doing and wanted to do something like it for my kids. Basically what Torrey classes do is classical education with a lot of peer discussions and debate. I had a few friends in the program; it sounded amazing. I could go on and on. I wanted to be in it but there were a ton of books that had to be read as prerequisites to get into the program and I had no time to read them.”

For over 15 years, the Biola Youth Academics program has served the homeschool community by offering academically rigorous and biblically centered courses for junior high and high school students, supplementing their learning with in-depth, college prep-level classes taught from an evangelical Christian perspective. Biola Youth Academics is now offering select classes online, accessible to students around the world. This valuable resource includes:

• Classically Informed Torrey Academy Courses such as Logic, Writing Lab, The Inklings, Foundations of American Thought, Plato, and more.

• Traditional Textbook Courses like Economics, Government, and SAT Prep.

• The Latest Technology: Traditional textbook classes utilize Blackboard, an asynchronous course management system. For over 10 years, the Torrey Academy online courses have been taught in real time, currently via Adobe Connect.

• Live Interaction: With Adobe Connect classes, you will attend class in real time and discuss with your instructor and classmates directly via web audio-conferencing.

• Flexibility: Experience the quality instruction and unique community of Biola Youth Academics at home, on the road, or anywhere an Internet connection is available.

Whether you’re in California, Canada or South Korea, Biola Youth Academics Online Courses are designed to fit your lifestyle and needs. Enhance your home-based learning by tapping into the resources of Biola University with a heritage of more than 100 years of biblically centered, academically rigorous education.

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