<p>Would applying as Muslim hurt my chances if the university has a strong Christian reputation, such as Villanova or Notre Dame? I plan on writing an essay that details events from my life that have strong Islamic affiliation, and I was wondering if this would have any affect on my ability to get in. Thank you for the input!</p>
<p>It shouldn’t matter and probably won’t at the more open-minded Catholic universities and colleges. I would imagine you would be fine at ND or Villanova. I’d steer clear of more evangelical schools. Good luck.</p>
<p>No, you will be fine unless it is a school like Liberty University</p>
<p>thanks guys! definitely applying to those then haha :)</p>
<p>Note that schools with religious affiliation vary considerably in terms of how religious the environment is, and whether any devotional religious courses are required in the curriculum.</p>
<p>At some schools, the religious affiliation may be barely noticeable besides perhaps a greater selection of optional theology courses. At others, the social environment may be heavily tilted toward religious activities, so a student of a different religion may not be as comfortable socially there. At the most religious schools, the religion may be integral to both the social environment and the curriculum; such schools would be inappropriate for students of a different religion (nor would everyone of the same religion find that to be to their liking).</p>
<p>Best would be to ask on forums of the specific universities about how students of a different religion fare at the schools you are interested in.</p>
<p>I’m a Jew at a Christian university and not only did I get in, but I have found the school to be eye opening and enriching. While my faith has not be wavered, I have learned a tremendous amount about Christianity and enjoy many of the Christian activities on campus (ex. Mass and pancakes during finals week). I strongly believe that attending a university with students very different from you allows for a unique experience that I have been very fortunate to have. Good luck in the college process!</p>
<p>^well said! This is slightly off topic, but I’m inspired by Scutrules story of how college can open your eyes.</p>
<p>I am Christian, from a town with very few Jewish people. When I was in college, I babysat for a government professor who kept a Kosher home. I joined them at the table for dinner, including the Friday night sabbath dinner with prayers. It was really wonderful to learn about new traditions. They even brought me to a Succoth festival – I always remember that.</p>
<p>You will be fine, just be prepared to accept their rules and way of doing things. I am not Catholic and my children were offered a full scholarship to a Catholic high school, and we turned it down because they just went too far against our beliefs. It is kind of not right to attend a school of a particular religion if you are not willing to go along with it while there.</p>
<p>thank you everyone!</p>
<p>There’s a big difference between a casual religious affiliation, and being an actual strongly religious school. Many, and possibly most, private colleges have a religious affiliation. But how much that affiliation affects campus life varies widely.</p>
<p>At a school like Liberty or Oral Roberts, it’s a safe bet that all the students are Christians because the education, the rules, and most of the activities on campus focus on religious life. A non-Christian would find it pretty much impossible to feel acceptance at those sorts of schools.</p>
<p>However, at Villanova and Notre Dame (and really all Catholic colleges with the possible exception of THE Catholic University), as well as other religious-affliated schools like Wake Forest or American, religion does not dominate campus life as strongly. You’re likely to find many people who are of a different religion, and there can be campus groups and a general atmosphere that embraces this diversity.</p>
<p>I will say that Notre Dame is a little more on the Conservative side, but not to the point where it would impact your application, and they have a lot of non-Catholic students.</p>
<p>Christendom College is a Catholic college whose purpose is to provide a highly religious environment and curriculum, so it would not really be accurate to say that “all” Catholic colleges are similar to the Jesuit ones where the Catholic influence does not make them inappropriate places for students of other religions.</p>
<p>Notre Dame doesn’t discriminate based upon religion and Islam is generally respected.</p>
<p>[Muslim</a> Student Resources // Campus Ministry // University of Notre Dame](<a href=“http://campusministry.nd.edu/ecumenical-interfaith/muslim-resources/]Muslim”>http://campusministry.nd.edu/ecumenical-interfaith/muslim-resources/)</p>
<p>[Islam</a> and Notre Dame | Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies](<a href=“http://kroc.nd.edu/newsevents/quickquestions/islam-and-notre-dame-579]Islam”>http://kroc.nd.edu/newsevents/quickquestions/islam-and-notre-dame-579)</p>
<p>[Muslim</a> students fit into life at Notre Dame - News - Notre Dame - The Observer - University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College](<a href=“http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/muslim-students-fit-into-life-at-notre-dame-1.1665041]Muslim”>http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/muslim-students-fit-into-life-at-notre-dame-1.1665041)</p>
<p>[MSA</a> a ?well received? club at Notre Dame - News - Notre Dame - The Observer - University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College](<a href=“http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/msa-a-well-received-club-at-notre-dame-1.1113552]MSA”>http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/msa-a-well-received-club-at-notre-dame-1.1113552)</p>
<p>[Muslim</a> student group teaches the art of Quranic recitation - News - Notre Dame - The Observer - University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College](<a href=“http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/muslim-student-group-teaches-the-art-of-quranic-recitation-1.2807739]Muslim”>http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/news/muslim-student-group-teaches-the-art-of-quranic-recitation-1.2807739)</p>
<p>
I’m not sure how much time you’ve spent at Notre Dame, but religion is definitely a big influence on campus life (though it is not the biggest). It can be painfully apparent sometimes, like when the university won’t allow a Gay-Straight Alliance club or sues the federal government over the birth control aspect of the health care reform.</p>
<p>
You are correct that religion is not considered in admissions. However, around 80-85% of the student body is Catholic.</p>