I’ve toured some jesuit schools before such as Santa Clara and Georgetown and I really liked both of them. I toured Boston College in July and really liked its campus, scenery, and obviously its a fairly prestigious school academically, so I’m considering applying. However I’m a little concerned about its religious background. Unlike SC and GT, they made it very obvious on the tour that it was a religious institution. My tour guide was a theology major and talked about how he was proud that the school was Catholic, and how 70% of the student body was Catholic, and how you have to take a minimum of 2 semesters of a religious course. In every classroom we visited there was an ornament of Jesus on the cross on the wall, there were Biblical quotes on whiteboards in the hallways, and they also mentioned that Priests live in the dorms. I have no problem with Catholic people, however I don’t like the idea of religious material being integrated into every part of my college life, and I’d also like to be a part of a diverse community (religiously, ethnically, politically etc.). That being said, I’m wondering if any alumni or current BC students could elaborate on the campus environment and how religiously adherent/conservative it is, academically and socially.
We toured a lot of Jesuit colleges including Seattle University, BC, University of San Francisco, and Santa Clara. The wierd thing is that nearly all of them said they had 30 - 40% Catholic students. That said, Santa Clara has student/staff masses twice a day which are well attended. USF students seldom attend mass (per the admissions presenter). This would be a good question to ask to ferret out how “religious” the campus is, and how much diversity is tolerated. It’s my understanding that Jesuit priests at Universities are no longer supported (or even directly affiliated) with the Catholic Church. I found this out when I called to see how much of my tuition would be tithed to an institution that I no longer support: The division (at least at Seattle University) was absolute. Why not post this question on the BC board?
Please, this is the northeast…evidence of religion left a long time ago. But with that being said if you don’t want any reference to God, Catholicism or images/quotes here and there…not the school for you.
Jesuits do not live in the dorms at BC.
Theology course requirements are no different from those at Georgetown and SCU.
No one cares what religion a student believes or whether they have any beliefs at all. That said, obviously if religious things make you uncomfortable, don’t apply.
BC has a Core requirement, which includes two courses in ‘religion’. Several types religion class will count for the Core. For example, the Professor of my D’s religion course was Jewish and they spent most of their time studying the history of religion in the Middle East. Catholicism was only one component of that course.
It sounds like BC is not a good fit for you.
I took four quarters of religion at Santa Clara (more than required) and, as a science major, I can honestly say that those were my favorite classes:
-Intro to Religion/Why Spirituality? What is the drive for the religious seeker?
-Zen Buddhism-including meditation
-The Psychology of Religion-awesome class
-American Religious Cults
I am not religious and not Catholic,
I regard those courses as pivotal in my adventure in higher education.
Just for sake of accuracy, BC is more like 70% Catholic. SCU is 50% Catholic. USF is less than half Catholic.
The Jesuits are an order of Catholic priests; the current Pope is a Jesuit.
The Jesuit’s are an order based on spreading education not religious dogma. My d is an agnostic and loves it. To be well rounded educationally and aware of service to others is the BC mission.
I’m currently a freshman at bc and I was a bit worried about the religious aspect before I got here but even 3 weeks in you realize it’s not that bad. I’m not Catholic but Muslim and have been welcomed quite warmly here. While a lot of people here are Catholic most people you meet will come from s variety of different backgrounds religiously and socially. Yes it’s a core requirement to take a theology class but it’s not preachy in any way. I’m in perspectives (philosophy/theology combo) and religion in this class at least takes a more objective look. And sure there are crosses in every room but after a while you barely notice them (I’m three weeks in and I dont). Unless you actively seek out a religious perspective or presence here it seems to me like just another institution.
In short the religious aspect is there of you want it and go looking for it but regardless of your beliefs the atmosphere here is very accepting and welcoming.