<p>I'm really interested in College of the Holy Cross, but I dont come from a religious family, and im not really concerned about the schools religious affiliation, but im interested in applying because of the reputation and the good academics. However, my parents are steering me away from it because they think its like a monastery or something. But i want to show them that its a great school with a great campus. Also they say its in a rough part of Worcester. Anything I can tell my parents to convince them, and help get my point across?
Thanks</p>
<p>Where else are you applying?</p>
<p>lafayette, Boston U, American, Bentley, Babson, Villanova, Lehigh…any other suggestions? Also Holy Cross interested me because its SAT optional, I have a strong GPA but not so good SAT results</p>
<p>Tell them it’s an hour west of Boston and has a great alumni network.</p>
<p>Holy Cross is Jesuit. If you sat next to a Jesuit priest on a 10-hour plane ride, the topic of religion would probably never even come up in conversation.</p>
<p>I always declare myself Christian on test related things when they ask, but really I don’t practice it much. I don’t attend church, I don’t read the bible, and I don’t really care for it, but I only declare so because parts of my family are. I’m attending HC for the great academics, campus, opportunities and reputation as well. Religion has nothing to do with it. I mean, even if the school name itself screams religious, I hear it’s not strict. They offer masses and church sessions there for those who need/want it, but they will never force you to do something you don’t want to do. You have to take a religion class because it’s part of the Liberal Arts curriculum to graduate, but it can be any religion like Buddhism, Islam, etc. I’m going to be a freshman so I can’t tell you much from experience, but I can assure you it’s not an overly religious school despite it’s name.</p>
<p>I’m Catholic. A number of my cousins’ kids have gone to “the Cross.” Most did not attend mass while they were there. And, judging from the stories I’ve heard, it’s a L–O–N–G way from being a monastery. </p>
<p>However, it is culturally Catholic. You may feel left out in discussions in which students ridicule Catholic practices you’re unaware of. The Cross is pretty white, though it’s trying hard to diversify. A number of years ago, the NY Times profiled its salutatorian, who was Muslim international student. He chose it because it gave him the most aid. He was nervous when he started, but said he had a wonderful experience there.</p>
<p>Vanilla-nova is also Catholic. I can’t understand why your folks would have a problem with Holy Cross but not Villanova.</p>
<p>well my parents are more comfortable with nova because i only live 1 hour away from it and it doesnt sound as religious, and my relatives from boston said that HC is in a bad part of worcester but i dont know… i’ll just have to see when i go for a tour, i just tell my parents its me that will be spending the 4 years on campus</p>
<p>Worcester isn’t one of the prettiest cities, but the campus is beautiful :)</p>
<p>Worchester is nothing special, but the campus is on a hill and backs up to a residential section of town. Sure, the homes aren’t palaces, but they appear to be well maintained. The 'hood appeared quite safe to me, just walking/driving around.</p>
<p>Tell your parents that Holy Cross is run by the Jesuits which run nearly all of the top Catholic unibversites in the USA such as Georgetown, Boston College, Holy Cross, Fordham, Marquette, Gonzaga, St Louis, Loyola, Santa Clara, etc, Complete list of the 28 here: [Jesuit</a> Colleges and Universities Quiz Results | Online Games & Trivia by Sporcle](<a href=“http://www.sporcle.com/games/jesuit_colleges_results.php]Jesuit”>http://www.sporcle.com/games/jesuit_colleges_results.php)</p>
<p>HC just happens to have a religious sounding name and is no different than other Jesuit colleges in terms of religious mission and feel.</p>
<p>Villanova is run by the Augustinians which run very few colleges.</p>
<p>Villanova may “sound” less religious than HC, but many (including myself) would say the Augustinian Villanova feels much more catholic than Jesuit HC. As someone who is completely non-religious, I’m comfortable at BC (which is Jesuit like HC), but was turned off by the more religious feel I got from Villanova.</p>
<p>And your folks don’t have a problem with the area around Lehigh?</p>
<p>Why don’t you visit Holy Cross with them?</p>
<p>Ive convinced my parents to tour HC, so hopefully they’ll see the beauty of the campus. Oh and gloworm the only reason my parents are fine with lehigh is because I only live 20mins from the campus</p>
<p>And thanks for all the posts everyone!</p>