I just finished my last pre-req at LLU this summer for DPT and was able to get to know the faculty pretty well, as well as gather a lot of information regarding the program. I'm also local to the university and SDA, so I understand how a lot of things are run. I'll try to answer as many questions regarding what I know:
1) @NinerAvi: I had my PTCAS application submitted 2 days after it opened in July and had my secondary application submitted 1 hr after it was emailed to me (which was Aug 11, I believe). And I have heard nothing specifically about my application but I was able to talk with the Admissions coordinator and she told me that they are currently remodeling their offices and the Admissions Committee has been on a VERY limited work schedule. She told me that yesterday (09/30) was the first true fully day they'd be getting together to begin reviewing applications. So obviously everything is a tad bit delayed this year.
2) @hmmmatt: Yep, LLU has a mandatory chapel service every week. As an SDA who went to the schools, I can truthfully tell you that the message from these chapels ARE NOT meant to convert you or feel like "church." They're more like inspirational/educational topics that are meant to give you a break during the week. Think things like: eco-friendliness, inspiring story of a paraplegic athlete, never give up, etc.
And you read that right, they expect no alcohol while you attend. It may seem ridiculous to some, but they expect you to at least abide (you don't have to agree) with the principles of the faith while you attend and represent their school. However, I can also truthfully tell you, that not everyone follows this policy and there can be repercussions for blatantly disrespecting the policy, so use your best judgment for yourself. And by blatant, I do mean like being publicly drunk on campus.
3) @JasonC: the final submission date for the secondary application, I believe, is December 1. So it'll be separate from priority deadline.
4) @Megi1212: LLU is an SDA school, but they do not expect everyone to be or to be converted into one. If you're spiritual that's great, if you're atheist, that's fine too. You just need to respect the school's religion while you attend. That's all. Trust me, everyone worries that SDA kids get priority, which I understand, but i wouldn't say that's necessarily true. They look more at if the SDA-raised kid is baptized into the religion, than simply if they claim to be. In some ways that gives every religion a fair chance, they understand that you can be born into a denomination/religion, but they want to see what your real story is, whether you're SDA or not. The school is all about community service, "making man whole," and generally educating people who will be great contributors to society. It's more about your character, than your religion.
5) @dcscott325: To sum up the basis of the religion in a few succinct sentences is a tough one (as you can see, I already get carried away with my responses), but I'll do my best.
- The Seventh-day Adventist church most notably, believes in Saturday as Sabbath (but more specifically sundown Friday evening to Saturday evening - which will become an issue at school is you plan on studying during that time frame in the labs).
- We believe in baptism by immersion, typically at an age where the participant is aware of what their public statement is saying.
- We believe Christ will come back again in a second coming (advent).
- We believe in good health and promoting good health worldwide. Check out anything on Blue Zone areas around the world, Loma Linda has some of the oldest living human beings.
- We believe in promoting the teaching and healing ministry of Christ. Basically, be good people, teach others how to live well too.
- And if I'm going to get really deep (only because it may come up during your time there), we believe in what is called the "Great Controversy," it is the great war between God and Satan, in which Satan is trying to deceive us by telling us lies about God's character so that we won't trust Him, but by knowing the truth, we can come to know God's character. And again, that's the deep part, there's a lot more to it, but to just give you a rough idea of where the religion goes, there ya go.
Good luck everyone! I hope we can all be classmates soon!
