Of course I give an unqualified endorsement to my alma mater. They are heading in a good direction. It was good when I got there, better when I left, and better still today.
Equally, of course, your estimate of the school should be formed by its grads themselves, and not by it's grads' promos. Maybe, by God's grace, I can be a kind of living endorsement for the school, but that's something only time will tell.
The only thing I won't do, to pump my school, is claim that there aren't other quality institutions out there. GPTS doesn't exist because "the other (conservative) seminaries are passe, or gone/headed liberal, or too expensive, etc." There are those seminaries, mind you; but no, GPTS has a particular "identity" because there is a need for a school like it, it fills that need. And secondarily it manages to train at a relatively low cost, among other advantages.
And if that need grows (and I hope it does) GPTS is poised to fill that need; and I would also like to think that we will see other quality institutions adjusting their "identities" just a little to address the need. And truth be told, I think that has already happened in degree.
Simply by coming into existence 20 years ago, GPTS affected the seminary landscape. There was a general sense among many leaders in confessional churches that confessional identity was horribly lacking. And part of the problem was in the seminaries that were spitting out the next generation of pastors/leaders. Institutions are like battleships, and churches are like aircraft carriers. They don't turn on a dime. It was simpler in some ways to found a new school, in order to start immediately putting out confessionally minded graduates to go into the church and minister.
And at least a couple of schools (of longer pedigree) I am thinking of have become by degrees, or rather returned somewhat, to a self-consciously confessional mindset. So, I think that GPTS' has had the desired impact--not alone, but as part of the complex of forces--it has already been felt in the larger church. But the job is not done. And now GPTS needs to continue to stand as a leading institution in confessional fidelity, along with its confederate institutions in the effort.
So, if you want to go to seminary, check out GPTS among your choices. Weigh everything. Don't assume that a great school will make you a great minister ex opere operato (a common failing among seminarians). You have to set a goal, and work for it. You should also try to find a school where you "fit." Some people think that one, overriding factor is the one thing that will make them (or someone else) "right" for someplace. Not always. The choice of a school shouldn't be made for only one reason, especially when there are other options.
Having said all that, I will close by saying once again that GPTS receives my highest possible endorsement for a school training men for pulpit ministry. Its grads are also recognized as qualified for chapliancies in the armed services by the DoD. It might not be the best place to study apologetics, or counseling, or for those seeking academia, and other recognition. But you will be trained at GPTS in an integrated, self-consciously confessionally-minded way, to master Biblical study (and yes, you need to plan on studying at school!) necessary to prepare you for the pastorate.
Hope that's helpful.
