<p>After touring Nova my son and I both left with favorable opinions, but S said he wouldn't apply as religion is pushed too much. I didn't get that impression, but (i) our information session was led by a priest and (ii) the tour guide did emphasize (in son's opinion) when church services were available. Plus, of course, the theology course requirements.<br>
I hate for him to pass up on this great school because of a misimpression. So, is religion and/or Catholicism shoved down throats or is this a place where you wonder if it really is Catholic or where in between?
Thanks</p>
<p>Pushed down your throat?? hardly…Is it apparent in daily student life? More so then not,afterall it IS a religious institution…My D attends sunday mass on sunday nights, as do many of her friends,but not all…Community service is VERY big at 'Nova,but this is something that is not religious-based,just community minded…</p>
<p>That said,if your son has a predisposition against Catholic/religious classes,et al,perhaps he’d be more comfortable elswhere…</p>
<p>Best of Luck</p>
<p>Nova is a Catholic institution , but my family has no formal religious ties.
My Daughter (a soph) is very happy and does not feel any pressure. She has friends that go to church, but she has never gone and it makes no diff either way.She received good grade in Theology and ACS , looking at the requirements as a history class and a writing seminar.She received a better grade than classmates that attended Catholic High Schools!</p>
<p>Nothing is forced down your throat , you can make it a spiritual experience or completely agnostic if you are willing to overlook the crosses on the building and the clergy on campus.
BTW , I found Father Peter to be very inspirational!
PM me if you need any further information.
I would focus the decision to apply on whether he sees himself in the academic and social setting , the religion aspect will be benign for all but a few.</p>
<p>Here was / is my take on his question , copied from an old thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/villanova-university/847015-sell-me-nova.html?highlight=theology[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/villanova-university/847015-sell-me-nova.html?highlight=theology</a></p>
<p>Regarding "does it matter if you are not Catholic? "</p>
<p>If you don’t mind seeing priests on campus and crosses on the outside of the buildings , it will not matter.There is no religious pressure or any issues if you don’t attend mass.
However , there is a theology requirement (2 classes ) and the adminstration has shown no flexibility on the 1050 level class.There is some flexiblity on the upper level requirement.</p>
<p>Do not expect tp be allowed to substitute THL 1050.</p>
<p>The Core Curriculum
Theology and Religious Studies - 2 courses:</p>
<p>Successful completion of THL 1050 and a second Theology and Religious Studies course with a course number of 2000 or higher.
The required introductory course, Theology and Religious Studies 1050, is an academic presentation of Christian thought, suitable for any student. It is normally taken during the sophomore year. In special cases, the following courses may be substituted for this course with permission from the Dean: THL 2800; THL 5400; THL 5800; THL 5900.</p>
<p>As you would expect there is a range of religious intensity among religion-affiliated schools. I’ve heard rumor that Notre Dame is really “Catholic” (though maybe second to the religion of football) and schools like Gordon push their spirituality. But a similar thread on Georgetown makes it seem almost secular. A lot probably depends on size of the school as well.
S would feel fine with a course on the history of religions or the philosophy of faith, but not one that effectively is like a Sunday school class. Reading the various course descriptions written by the professors it looks like which of those you get depends on the instructor.<br>
The bigger issue is what goes on outside the classroom and that is what you have answered. Thanks</p>
<p>Son is just a freshman, and he is currently taking “Christianity in History” to fulfill one of his theology requirements and he loves it: loves the history aspect.</p>
<p>…klpawl S i’m here and i only went to church on easter last yr. a lot of the catholic kids just go when their parents are here. in the ACS class the bible’s only referred to for one paper. religion is not pushed down your throat at all.</p>
<p>I don’t think religion is pushed whatsoever. The only noticable religious aspects of the school to me is the Church since it’s basically in the middle of the campus and religion has been pushed a little bit in my ACS class. The only reason for the push in ACS is because I happen to have a professor who’s a priest. Other than that, the religious aspect of the school doesn’t really stick out to me and I came from a public school where none of this was ever exposed whereas a attending a catholic high school would obviously be different.</p>
<p>My impression is that Villanova is very tolerant of different forms of Christianity and does not push Catholic dogma on students. You have to study religion, but you don’t have to study Catholic theology. The tour guide stresses how Villanova strongly encourages students to attend some form of church, but not necessarily their church. </p>
<p>However, if someone has no interest in religion, I suggest they find another college.</p>
<p>Community service is very big. Religious diversity is encouraged and is part of the curriculum in Theo and ACS (Augustinian Cultural Seminar). Religion is not even close to being pushed down your throat. I’ve attended Mass twice this semester and I went with my friends after dinner. In my opinion, it is one of the least Catholic, Catholic Universities that they are. My sister attends Notre Dame.</p>