<p>I'm looking at St. Michael's in Vermont and it seems really awesome, but I'm a little concerned about the Catholic part. </p>
<p>I have read in other threads that most Catholic schools are really open to students with other religion, but what about students with no religion? I'm very open about my atheism and I'd hate to go somewhere where everyone tries to convert me.</p>
<p>Also, will there be a more conservative bias as compared to other LACs? </p>
<p>Sorry if this seems really ignorant.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I know nothing about that school, but at the Catholic colleges I’m familiar with, there is no attempt to convert anyone, and generally, if you keep your religion (or lack thereof) to yourself, nobody will bother you about it. If you choose to make your beliefs known, you may get engaged in vigorous debate (and you will be in the minority), but that would be your choice.</p>
<p>However, at many Catholic colleges, there are a lot of Catholics, and a lot of the extracurricular life does have a religious aspect. At one of the colleges we visited, they said that nearly half the students attend Mass on a regular basis, although there is no requirement to do so.</p>
<p>Also at many Catholic colleges (I think this may be more prevalent at Jesuit schools), the philosophy courses are taught from a Catholic perspective, and although that should not be a problem with someone who does not accept the Catholic cosmology, it should pose little problem for someone who buys into the Judaeo-Christian ethos.</p>
<p>EDIT: As to your last question, it depends on what you mean by “conservative.” On hot-button issues to Catholics (i.e., abortion and homosexuality), yes, more conservative. On issues of social justice, possibly less conservative than at many more secular campuses.</p>