<p>I'm interested in Fordham as a reach school (3.5 GPA, hoping to get my SAT up to 1800), but I'm spiritual; I'm not religious in any sense of the word. I'm also very liberal, probably a bit of a "hippie." I'm interested in the school, but will it be a poor fit for me? Are the students more liberal, conservative, or diverse? Is the school very religion-oriented? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>(Going off of what my cousin, who is graduating from RH next Saturday, is telling me)
It is more liberal down in LC as opposed to RH. RH will feel a bit more conservative. </p>
<p>He also says that some students are very religious but most aren’t.</p>
<p>Fordham is getting more and more competitive so you may have trouble getting in with stats like that.</p>
<p>Religion and spirituality are the quintessential personal experiences. At Fordham nobody will force anything on you and your opinions are valued like all others. There are many people at Fordham, including baptized Catholics, who do not attend Mass or religious services on a regular basis. Some do, and for them its rewarding. Campus Ministry offers outstanding retreats off campus in the Catskills foothills and its a very spiritual experience, less Catholic in a liturgical sense. </p>
<p>Theology at Fordham is serious business. Its one of the stronger departments, with acclaimed and extraordinary faculty. Studying theology may or may not be a religious experience for students, depending on their focus and objectives. </p>
<p>Many students experience the Love of Almighty God by giving back to others less fortunate through internships and volunteering in the community. </p>
<p>Jesuits attempt to teach that being Catholic and Christian, while embodying liturgical rites, also includes the entirety of the human spirit, body and mind. That being holy has perhaps less to do with the rubrics of faith, and more to do with the intent of the heart. And what you do about that in dealing with others. Not that Mass or the Holy Eucharist are deemphasized or disrespected. To the contrary, they are embraced and encouraged for those who seek God in that manner. But its not a one dimensional approach to Faith. </p>
<p>I am Catholic and Christian by choice, not by force or guilt. Some of our faith experiences are cultural (particularly for Italians and Irish… among others.) I love my faith and what it offers through the Sacraments. But I also recognize that faith is more than what you do on Sunday mornings. </p>
<p>Get your SAT scores up substantially. Then come to Fordham with an open mind, respectful of all belief systems and others, and you will be rewarded handsomely.</p>
<p>As for Rose Hill, it is a bit more preppy and conservative than Lincoln Center. But there are people of all sorts of lifestyles and beliefs at both campuses. And mutual respect is a tenement of Jesuit education. Rose Hill has a vibrant and active liberal student body as well. Some faculty are very liberal. While some students may dress conservatively, the vast majority of students wear the usual student garb of very casual clothing. There are artsy people at both campuses. </p>
<p>Diversity is a good thing.</p>
<p>I do not believe that it is necessary to be “religious” in order to feel comfortable at Fordham. My S who is a senior there, has friends who are Catholic, atheist, Muslim, Jewish etc. and they are all welcome and happy. That said, it is a Jesuit school and there are masses/retreats etc. available to those who choose to partake (some students participate, many do not) and there are religious symbols on the campus. In addition, the core curriculum has everyone taking 2 theology (one is a required class and the second can be something like Religions of the World or the Old Testament) and 2 philosophy classes. However, the Jesuits mission is to educate, not to force religion on people so I would say as long as one is willing to be respectful of that, there will be no issue. In terms of the population, I would agree that RH is more conservative but there is still a wide diversity of people/opinions etc. on campus. I’ve also attached the profile for the class of 2015 (and this past year was more competitive from what I gather). [Class</a> Profile](<a href=“http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp]Class”>http://www.fordham.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admiss/applying/class_profile_28473.asp)</p>