Indiana Wesleyan University
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    Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church. The University was founded in 1920 as Marion College and is committed to liberal arts and professional education.

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    Indiana Wesleyan University offers over 280 academic programs, certificates and endorsements in business, technology, education, science, ministry, nursing and more. We offer program options online, on campus in Marion, IN, and at our onsite regional centers in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

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    God has gifted you with a unique set of gifts—on purpose, and for the purpose of changing the world in a way that only you can. We are here to help you discover, clarify or develop that calling. The world is waiting.

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    Whether your intent is to complete an associate degree, finish your bachelor's degree, prepare for special education licensure, enter the world of higher learning with a master's degree, pursue a doctoral degree, or earn one of our many certificates, our education programs are designed specifically for your busy lifestyle.

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Nicole Vander Schaaf

Nicole Vander Schaaf

Jul. 01, 2016

IWU GRADUATE 2014

BIOLOGY MAJOR

PH.D. CANDIDATE VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE

 

I love the grad school at Van Andel Institute, and I would highly recommend it to other students interested in cellular and molecular biology.   I've enjoyed the challenge of problem-based learning (as opposed to lecture-based), though it has taken some adjustment.  Since Van Andel accepts only about 5 grad students a year, the community reminds me in some ways of IWU, where students are valued and known by name.  My classes have relied quite heavily upon previously acquired knowledge, so I’m thankful that IWU prepared me well.  In fact, I appreciate the difficult biology classes I took at IWU more now than I did then. :)  Some of my classmates went to State schools, and one even earned a Master’s degree before entering this PhD program.  I have had no trouble keeping up with them.  Wow!  Thanks, IWU!  My time and money was well spent!

Without the Hodson summer research program, I’m quite certain I would not have been accepted to graduate school.  HSRI helped me realize my passion for research while providing the experience that grad schools essentially require for acceptance.  Not many Christian schools have such fantastic research opportunities, so I am very thankful for the Hodson research program at IWU.

Further, IWU prepared me to intelligibly discuss faith in science.  I see scientists every day who put their hope and faith in their science.  When their experiments don’t go as planned, they are genuinely disheartened.  Though I always strive for excellence and am disappointed when an experiment fails, my hope remains in the never-failing God.  Working in a secular, scientific community is opening doors of opportunity to share this hope with others.  Reading “The Language of God” by Francis Collins (in Biochemistry class at IWU) was particularly impactful; I have referenced it in conversation with others, and it has helped me personally reconcile my faith and science.

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