Written by Frankie Bustamante
Catholic University is a good school—plain and simple. It blends the best of both worlds—a small, conservative, Catholic community of religiously devoted students mixed with a liberal arts university smack-dab in Washington, D.C. The nation's capital is one of the most exciting cities in the country, if not the world, where students can live up the best years of their lives. Catholic University provides all of the resources necessary to live a spiritual life in college, while still granting the autonomy to students who applied for other reasons, such as the University's exceptional theater, music, architecture, and nursing programs. CUA's biggest problem is the perception that the school's goal is to prep would-be priests and nuns. But this is simply not true. The University's Catholic identity does not hinder or isolate students with different faiths or beliefs. Catholic lives up to the liberal arts curriculum it boasts and does its best to accommodate both those who adore and are apathetic to the Catholic aspect.
When it comes to living the college life, CUA makes good on providing what students are truly looking for. There is a brilliant nightlife, good cohort of party animals, and a healthy social atmosphere. CUA pulls off what most universities cannot: It can be both a party school and a deeply religious and proud Catholic school. Students can grow in their faith, thanks to religious figures roaming on campus and student leaders who are bent on keeping—and passing—the faith. The University is not perfect, and it does not pretend to be. But the administration is making strides to improve in all aspects, whether it's campus construction and renovation or fine-tuning the academic and career opportunities. In the end, if you were to ask everyday students what they think of the school, they'll all say different things, but they'll all be smiling as they say it.