Top 10 Myths About Concordia

Myth: It’ll cost you an arm and a leg to attend.

As I’m sure most students here can agree on, financial aid at Concordia is incredibly helpful. The college awards $60 million in aid annually. And nearly 100 percent of students receive financial aid! So even though the sticker price can seem scary, you’ll never end up paying the full amount.

Myth: You have to be overinvolved.

The “overinvolved Cobber” seems to be a stereotype on campus and, in many cases, it may be true. With more than 100 clubs on campus, it’s easy to go overboard with activities. But don’t spread yourself too thin! There are a variety of clubs with different time commitments, so you can find some that fit your schedule. We suggest choosing a max of three activities you’re passionate about.

Myth: Only experienced athletes can play sports.

Concordia has lots of intramural sports options, like volleyball, basketball and dodgeball. So even if you aren’t on one of the college’s D3 teams, you can participate in sports. There are also some great athletic clubs that love new players, like women’s lacrosse or men’s volleyball. We also have a cardio deck, indoor and outdoor tracks, a weight lifting room, and a pool with open swim for all students to use.

Myth: Everyone is musical.

Concordia is pretty well known for its music program, and sometimes it seems like everyone on campus can sing or play an instrument. But in reality, only one-third of the student body participates in music. It’s not for everyone – and that’s OK. But if you are interested, Concordia offers a wide variety of ensembles (more than 19) ranging from daily rehearsals to one hour a week. But if you don’t have a musical bone in your body, don’t worry. You can enjoy the music from the audience.

Myth: Classes are extra difficult.

Concordia does have a rigorous curriculum, but it’s certainly manageable. Professors are always willing to help and have open office hours when you can ask questions or just talk about class. Concordia also has free tutoring and a writing center on campus as well to help keep you afloat.

Myth: We’re all “Happy Cobbers.”

Many Cobbers are working hard to erase this stigma and remind students that it’s OK to be struggling – whether with mental health, homework, relationships or anything else. There are plenty of resources on campus to help, like the counseling center, the Center for Student Success, and the Health Services Office. Student government has taken on a mental health initiative and campus organizations like Active Minds hold events to talk about mental health.

Myth: Parking is a nightmare.

While it may sometimes be hard to find a spot close to your dorm or classroom, remember that parking at Concordia is FREE. Many campuses charge hundreds of dollars per semester just to park on campus. And when you can’t find a spot, the overflow lot is closer than you think. Remember we have a small campus, so you never have to walk too far.

Myth: Moorhead is a boring city.

While it may seem like a small northern city like Moorhead doesn’t have much to offer to college students, that idea couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, Moorhead was named the No. 1 Best Small City in America by NerdWallet in 2015. There are plenty of cool restaurants and coffee shops in Fargo-Moorhead, and the area offers a mix of rural and urban activities. Take a bike ride through the woods by the river or check out the cool downtown shops and hangouts.

Myth: You have to be religious, specifically Lutheran, to attend. 

Concordia may be an ELCA college, but it is accepting of all faiths. Optional chapel services that are offered during the week are nondenominational. Only 60 percent of students here are Lutheran and many students don’t have any religious affiliation. The religion courses at Concordia focus on a variety of practices and encourage students to explore their own personal beliefs.

Myth: We’re TOO obsessed with corn. 

Come on, is this even possible? Yeah, we love our corn puns. And our mascot is a giant cob of corn with a mini sidekick named Niblet. Our main hangouts are The Maize and The Korn Krib. We also have corn feeds across the country every summer. … OK. Maybe we are a little obsessed. But hey, we embrace it! #RollCobbs

^{Published December 2017}