The college I want to attend is religious and I'm not...?

Question

I really want to attend a particular college because of its location and great academics. It is a private college affiliated with the United Methodist church. I have a full tuition scholarship. The only thing I may have against this school is that I am not religious and am scared I won't fit in there, or that the staff may look down upon me for not attending chapel. I am not a satanist or anything like that, but I don't subscribe to organized religion because I think it's corrupt.

My political views are liberal and I consider myself an independent or democrat. I'm a little afraid of being lynched.

Has anyone has any experience with this? Any ideas as to how I can gain a better perspective of how seriously religion is taken at this school?

I do know that there are no religious requirements for students to be admitted and that once admitted a student is not required to attend chapel.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

It won't be so bad. No one should look down on you. In San Antonio, there are two different Catholic Universities, and both have lots of diverse people and religions.

If yours is like most other religion affiliated schools, you will be required to take several religion classes in order to graduate from there.

I think it will be a great experience for you, and it will definitely broaden your horizons.

As for political views, there will be many different groups, so that is no issue to even consider.

Answer 2

I had this same problem. I got a full ride to off sports but the only difference was that I had to attend chapel for college credits. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Nobody at my school really wants to go to chapel we only go because its required but its not bad. But I know at my school we also have to take a religion class which dicuses different religions not just one religion. You should check into that if you dont want anything to do with a religion. But I say you should go for it because you don't even have to attend chapel and it pays for your whole tuition. You won't be thousands of dollars in dept when you graduate. If you dont like it there after the first year you could always transfer but before you transfer make sure your credits can transfer.

Answer 3

If there are no religious requirements then you are probably ok. I don't know about Methodists, but there are some Jesuit colleges in the Bay Area (USF and Santa Clara University) that allow people of all faiths to go, and encourage the students to be open-minded about people who aren't Christian.

I think you will stick out a bit more than someone at a public school, but I hope that people would be interested to know about your views (and not try to convert you!) Otherwise, you can always transfer if your experience turns out to be horrible.

Answer 4

I have a friend who attended a private conservative christian college because he liked their music program, and he seemed to fit in fine despite being completely liberal and anti-religion (of course he didn't go around voicing his opinions!). It depends on the school, some will ask you to write letter of recomendation from a pastor or youth minister, which, in your case might be impossible to obtain. Some religious schools like BIOLA university require all students to take biblical study classes. Some schools might have an oral part of the admission where you will be interviewed in person. But if the school accepts you based on your academic merit then there is nothing to worry about, I'm sure you will find a lot of people like yourself who are there to focus on studies more than religion.

Answer 5

Think of it as a wonderful opportunity to test your beliefs about the corruption of organized religion. You'll get to experience it firsthand and decide, based on personal observation whether there is anything in it worth your time. The Methodists are not known for lynchings (at least lately) so you're probably safe - but I wouldn't be humming any Baptist hyms in the laundromat.

Answer 6

I know how you feel... I'm going to a Catholic school next year, and I'm of a completely different religion, not to mention my polar-opposite political views (as in, I'm highly liberal). I've met a bunch of people who go there who also aren't religious, and from what I've gotten from them, it's really not that bad. No one forces their opinions on you, and even though there's a theology requirement, it can be of any religion. I'm sure that as long as you don't outwardly disagree with everyone, you won't be lynched. I fully plan on not flaunting my uber-liberal views, even during election time. I figure this way, there will be less room for arguements (they can't call me out for something I haven't said).

Answer 7

I am astounded that you have a full scholarship without applying to the school.

Nonetheless, to miss chapel will be noted, and you will be swimming uphill for the next four years.

Do not confuse organized religion with a personal faith in Jesus Christ. They are two different animals. The first one I dislike, but I am in love with my Saviour!

best of luck

Answer 8

Lol, its not like religious people are some kind of different species. If you dont agree with them they will do the christian thing and respect you. Its only radical groups who will try to convert you by any means necessary (sorry Malcolm) and UNC is by far not radical. I think you should be more scared of going to Berkeley or should I say Berzerkeley.