<p>I don't even think that it is required, but I want to write a very harsh letter to my safety school declining to accept their offer for admission. It is a Catholic school which requires that you go to mass frigging 3 times a week, and I did not know that prior to applying (I'm an atheist, by the way, but my family is Catholic). It says on their website that the students who apply need not be Catholic, so I never would have guessed that something as ridiculous as REQUIRED MASS would be a stipulation. If you miss more than 5 of these masses during each semester, you will be expelled and fined. Even if you work during that time, it says that you must "re-schedule all other engagements." Are they f-ing kidding me? I would like to write to them expressing that their website is misleading and that even if I were highly religious, I find their church demands to be ridiculous. Can I do that or will I get in trouble?</p>
<p>P.S. At Brandeis University (a very good school), is synagogue required?</p>
<p>Don't do it. I'm assuming that somewhere on their website they were clear about their requirements; you just didn't read beyond "students need not be Catholic." And even if they weren't, they're telling you now before you enroll; all you need to do is say, No. Being rude, mean or telling them that their requirements are "ridiculous" doesn't get you anywhere, and they're not going to change their requirements because of it.</p>
<p>Remember that the college admissions world is very small, and being rude, mean, sarcastic, whatever, can come back to bite you in the end. Stories like that have a way of getting around through the grapevine.</p>
<p>Brandeis, while founded by Jews, is non-sectarian. No religious attendance of any type at any service is required. Brandeis also has 3 houses of worship on its campus: a synagogue, a chapel and a mosque.</p>
<p>Sillbill, if someone wrote you a letter blasting your way of doing things, would you change your ways? </p>
<p>Some things are better thought than said or written. What's your time worth to write a letter that will not go beyond a secretary before it is recycled before even being read completely?</p>
<p>Sillbill: I can't comment on whose to blame for your recent discovery of their student requirements but it's rather condescending and intolerant to decry that practice as "ridiculous". Would you say the same of a Bhuddist school or a majority Muslim college?</p>
<p>You've learned something very valuable -- that it's definitely not a good fit for you. However, don't let your prejudices and bigotry spill out here. What they do is revered by many people. Not you? Fine. Relax. Be nice. Tell them you're withdrawing your application. Move on with life.</p>
<p>I've used words like prejudice, intolerance and bigotry here for a reason.</p>
<p>Why did you apply if you didn't even like it? Just graciously decline the school and move on with your life at a school that suits you. The school has their requirements, you didn't like them so therefore just don't go. I go to a Catholic school and it is tough to go to mass that often and I really hate it, but the religious aspect comes with the package of the education that I recieve. I accepted that. Go to a school you like better. Don't be rude just because you don't agree with their beliefs.</p>
<p>Aren't there tons of atheists at Brandeis anyway? </p>
<p>But I generally agree with the others on this thread; you really shouldn't bother to write that letter. Not only is it a waste of your time, other colleges can hear about it. </p>
<p>Also, think about it this way: because you've been rejected, you don't HAVE TO ATTEND MASS THREE TIMES A WEEK NOW. :)</p>
<p>Brandeis, which I've visited 3 times, though it was founded by Jews and has a high Jewish presence, has students of all religious (and atheist, agnostic, etc.) backgrounds. Plus, even the 55% of students who are Jewish come from different Jewish backgrounds (Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Humanistic, Conservadox, Modern Orthodox), but none are from the most right wing movements, naturally.</p>
<p>Brandeis: no temple required. But, that doesn't meant that students don't love it. I have friends there and they do services for fun. But, it doesn't REQUIRE any daily religion. They have quite a mix of types of Judaism and well, it would be quite hard to have an integrated Reform/Orthodox service...</p>