<p>Hey everyone, I’m a current Freshman at BC. I’m Muslim and of a Sudanese background. Coming to BC I was very nervous about the level of diversity and to be honest, I still am. Although there are many ethnic organizations and student religious groups, they are not all that big. I want students out there, right now, applying to schools to really think about Boston College as a choice. As a Hijabi girl at BC, I feel as though I defied the odds by wanting to push my boundaries and sort of challenge the general status quo by coming to BC. I’m not saying that everyone should have to do this, but BC is an amazing place and we just need amazing people from ALL over the spectrum. Whether it is ethnically, religiously, or sexually there has to be a sense of worldliness in such a community so focused on doing “worldly things”…you know what I’m taking about? Anyways this is more of a comment then a question but feel free to add, agree or disagree. And again, please don’t be intimidated by BC’s Jesuit school reputation of being too strict or “too preppy”, religion is not pushed upon you here, it’s really what you make of it. :D</p>
<p>Awesome post! Agreed x 1 million</p>
<p>Thanks for the great post suda. Odd as it might feel, BC is slightly more diverse than the US population in general. BC is about 63% white vs 72% for the US, Asians are represented at roughly twice the national rate, Hispanics 9% vs 12% nationally with African Americans being represented at about half the rate of the US as a whole. BC has consistently made an effort to present a truly diverse campus population. The easiest, though maybe slowest, way to overcome white-preppy image is for current students to spread the word the way you have. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Dear sudaflower24 : vinceh beat me to the punch on this thread - brilliant essay and observations. Your self-challenge expressed here in addition to the campus evaluation is fair and balanced. Well done!</p>
<p>I think you should re-think painting “white preppies” with such a broad brush, as it denies their individuality – which they do have should you care to scratch the surface. Being white and having gone to private school is not of itself a bad thing. Indeed, you may be surprised to find how much such persons do contribute to the college community in positive and constructive ways.</p>
<p>Just found this and decided to give it a bump. It might help out those of us who are worried about BC’s lack of all-out diversity.</p>
<p>I’m so glad I’ve found this post! As a white christian from Pennsylvania, this may not seem like it should be important to me. But after growing up in an EXTREMELY homogeneous and close-minded environment, it is really refreshing to see that BC is not completely what its reputation makes it out to be. Thank you suda!</p>
<p>My D is a current BC freshman. She recently joke that all the diversity is in the accepted student brochure. She grew up in a very diverse area and had always had diverse friends. Like many BC kids she very open, accepting and appreciative of diversity. My BC frosh often hangs out with her gay older sister from a cross town college. The reception is always warm; just another sibling hanging out. I wish more diverse kids would accept and attend BC.</p>