VisitSSW

A virtual, customized, and flexible way to experience life as a student at Southwest

Seminary of the Southwest announces the launch of VisitSSW, a program providing customized virtual visits for prospective students throughout the spring of 2021.

During a VisitSSW virtual visit, discerning postulants and other prospective ordination track students will receive an in-depth and immersive experience of the Seminary of the Southwest intentional model of formation. Visitors will work directly with an Enrollment Manager who will help create individualized opportunities to:

• Attend selected classes virtually during the Spring Semester alongside current Southwest students

• Attend Southwest’s virtual and live-streamed Chapel services

• Tour Southwest campus housing and Christ Chapel, as well as the Harrison Library

• Engage in conversations with key faculty and administrators – as well as current students – to give a robust picture of life at Southwest

The class visit experience will give you a sense of how Southwest links rich academic content and practical application with a focus on vocational readiness. Prospective students will join a live teaching session and learn alongside current MDiv first year students and be given reading assignments in advance. Available classes include History of Christianity II taught by the Rev. Dr. Dan Joslyn-Siemiatkoski or Biblical Studies II taught by the Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson.

“Our Biblical Studies class with Professor Patterson covers the New Testament.  We meet twice a week to dissect each chapter for a better understanding of the Gospel and what it teaches us.  We look at the character involved and what their motivations may have been, as well as the climate of the world during that time.  By looking at these specifics, we can break down the events of the Gospels and learn from their teachings.  It is challenging work, but each class allows us to share how we can better interpret Scripture so that we are able to share it with others,” said Carter Leer, MDiv Junior. 

With VisitSSW, an Enrollment Manager will guide visitors through to make sure they are ready to take full advantage of the class preview and all the visit opportunities.

Multiple class visits sessions available each month allow prospective students to fit their schedules.

“As a postulant in a climate of pandemic, the process of discernment is more important than ever.  Not being able to visit a seminary in person could have been challenging.  I am thankful that has not been my experience,” said Teri Calinao, incoming student from the Diocese of Florida. “Through the channels of email, phone calls, videos and Zoom, I was able to discern that the Seminary of the Southwest is the school of higher education that God is leading me to for a Master of Divinity. From the moment I contacted the seminary in the Spring of 2020, the Staff, Academic Dean, Professors, and Students have been informative and welcoming.  Meeting with all by telephone and Zoom has provided much insight into a community that is focused on Being, Knowing and Doing through academics, diversity and spiritual formation.  Each step in the process has been affirming that God is truly leading me to Seminary of the Southwest.  I am looking joyfully to the Fall of 2021 when I will join this wonderful community.  The beauty of the alternative forms of visiting the seminary have served to give me the feeling that I am already part of community where I am called and meant to be,” added Calinao.  

To register for a virtual visit or to speak with an Enrollment Manager, please click here.