Most seminarians come from congregations rather than undergraduate campuses. Women make up half the enrollment of mainline Protestant institutions. Half of the seminarians changed faith traditions or denominations before entering seminary. Most students had not majored in the humanities with men holding business, communications or technical study majors and women social, natural or behavioral science majors. Hispanics and African Americans are significantly under represented.
Most seminarians come from middle-class backgrounds.
The majority report that both of their parents have white-collar jobs and education beyond high school. On average entering seminarians have been out of college ten years. Younger seminarians are more likely to have made the dean s list and received graduation honors. Older students are more likely overall to have been active in a worship community or small group.