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Not only is choosing the right college a difficult decision,
it's also one of the most significant investments a
parent can make.
Here to help us navigate through the best
options for both the family and the finances is Dr. Andrew
Abela, provost at the Catholic University of America, and with
him is Somaly Barquet, whose son attends the school.
Good morning to both of you.
Good morning.
Morning.
Doctor, let me start with you.
You know, choosing the right college is a
tough decision and it's not only choosing the profession, it's
also choosing who you're going to become, right?
Yes, yes, that's exactly right.
College is important to your career and so
when you're looking at different colleges you're obviously
thinking what is my son or daughter going to become out of
that, but when you think about what you wish for your son and
daughter it's not just that they have a successful career,
that's important, but you want them to have a purpose driven
life, you want them to have good friends, you want them to be
happy.
The question for them is not just what am I going to do,
but who am I going to become, as you said.
If you're raising your children in an atmosphere
of faith, as they're thinking about who am I going to become,
the faith aspect of your life is primary, it is critical.
And Mrs. Barquet, let me bring you
in.
Your son is in Catholic University, how long has he been
there?
He's been there for one year, he'll be a sophomore-
Does he love it?
Yes.
He really enjoys it.
And when you made that decision, because I'm sure
you went to many colleges around the country and many
universities, how important was it to include that faith with
a good university as well?
My husband and I, it was very
important, so we did go to Catholic University, at first
my son didn't want to go because he thought it was for
seminarians.
Oh goodness.
So he was very hesitant, but we go,
and he does the interview, the walk, he heard President Garvey
speak and did the track for poli-sci, and he felt at home.
He goes 'mom this is home,' and I was so thrilled.
One of the things with Catholic
University which helps the formation is that there are 4
classes that are mandatory, that you take no matter what
your degree is, and it's in theology and philosophy.
And my son, when he found, he was
kicking and screaming, 'No, why do I have to take it.'
A month into the school he says to me,
'Mom I know my education is going to be better than my
friends,' and I go 'Why would you say that?'
He goes 'Because of these classes, it's helped
forming me,' and so it gives that formation, that we so
desire.
Which is so important.
Doctor, for students out there that maybe don't share the
same faith, do they have to share that faith in the
University?
My answer I guess would be no.
No, no.
Obviously the University is open to all
people of all faiths or none.
The majority of our students, no surprise, are Catholic, but we
have a substantial minority that are other Christians, or Jews,
or Muslims, and so on.
We like to think that we are proposing
the faith but not imposing it on anyone.
And so the studies of theology and philosophy and so
on, this will help anybody open up their minds.
You'll ask questions like what's the
meaning of life.
Who isn't interested in that question?
Sure.
That should be part of your university education.
And Mrs. Barquet besides the faith
which is important to you and your husband, what drew you to
Catholic University?
I saw how strong the political science
department was, this is his major, and also the business
department because he was thinking about minoring, and
then I saw how they have a strong support system.
If you are struggling in a particular
subject you make an appointment and you're there.
The community is so important and I think that
Catholic University does offer that.
Doctor, academics, I know you guys have incredible
programs for students coming in.
Yes, academics are very important to us, because
students shouldn't have to choose between a faith based
education or a serious academic one.
So what we try to do is integrate both.
So we talked about politics.
They'll be studying and reading Aristotle
and Plato in the morning and then in the afternoon they
could be interning on Capital Hill.
Or if they're studying biology for example, by
sophomore year they're doing real life cancer research.
Wow.
But again, we're always integrating the faith and the
very serious scholarship.
If they're physics students they
could be interning at the NASA Goddard Space Station for
example.
Very serious, very cutting edge research and
scholarship integrated in a faith based environment.
Mrs. Barquet, let me end with you.
For parents who are trying to make that decision today or
are looking towards the future, especially me, I've got 4 years
and I've got to start thinking about this.
What would you tell me?
I would say find what your child is strong in, their
strengths, and then find a place that you know they're going to
be happy, and that is going to cultivate the wise freedom, and
I think with that will give you peace as well as your child, and
they'll enjoy going there, as my son enjoys, truly, Catholic
University.
It's like a home away from home.
It is, absolutely.
And get tissues, right?
Yes.
Cause I'm going to cry.
Horrible.
It's horrible.
Okay, I'll call you in 4 years, you'll help me there.
Will do.
All right, thank you so much Mrs. Barquet, good luck to your
son, and doctor, for our viewers out there who want more
information on Catholic University what's the website?
The website is CUA.edu.
CUA.edu.
Yes.
And next time, if we ever have another interview with you,
how about if we go onsite?
What a great idea.
It is a beautiful campus.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you.
And if you could also go to our website,
and that's theBalancingAct.com.
Don't forget to also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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