<p>I'm just wondering if Georgetown is a really conservative school. I'm extremely liberal, sooo........How is the political diversity at Georgetown, other than the fact that the school itself is conservative?</p>
<p>One thing I will point out is that Georgetown being a Catholic school should not scare anyone away for that mere fact or for fear that Catholic = uberconservative. The Jesuits are one of the most liberal Catholic sects, and since I've been here I've felt very welcomed by the Jesuit community. As an indication, during a speech I remember a Jesuit priest/staff member specifically saying that Georgetown welcomes people of all races, religions, backgrounds, and sexual orientations...the sexual orientation part standing out to me the most considering Catholicism's stance on that issue.</p>
<p>As far as the student body, Georgetown is more conservative than places like GW definitely, but the College Dems are a big group (not sure compared to CRs but I see equal representation) and I see many many Obama stickers and buttons around campus.</p>
<p>Just to give you some perspective where I'm coming from, I consider myself conservative, and have spent a fair amount of time with the college republicans and other associated groups. </p>
<p>The lack of political diversity is not due to a preponderance of conservatives. Like any college (or any place with a lot of young people for that matter) Georgetown's student body is overwhelmingly liberal. It does have a few more conservatives than other schools, but there are literally about 12 active republicans on campus that come to the meetings, go phone banking, what have you. As an example, my floor has about 50-60 people on it. Of those, about 5-6 can be labeled conservative. The largest group of republicans on campus I have seen was during one of the debate-watching parties, when attendance was probably somewhere around 40. When the college republicans and college democrats had a debate, we held it in a fairly large classroom, and started out with the dems sitting on the left and the GOP on the right. Their side was entirely filled up, and began spilling over into a few of our rows. Our side was not full. (I'd say the ratio of attendance there was probably somewhere between 2:1 and 3:1). This all being said, Georgetown has it a lot better than most other schools. At a lot of the other DC area schools, it's a lot harder to be a Republican. And the level of political discourse is exceptionally respectful. I've had debates with people who call themselves socialists, people who do opposition research for the DCCC until 2am in the morning. I have talked with a guy who can name for you the latest polling on practically any senate, presidential, or competitive house race in the nation, and have always seen respectful discourse. </p>
<p>so to answer your question, iwannagotoaschoolthatsnotgeorgetown, Georgetown is not too conservative for you. However, if you're seeking to only be surrounded by people you agree with, I'd reexamine your professed commitment to intellectual diversity.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies.
Well, actually, I'm looking for a school with more political diversity (I do want to be surrounded by a diverse group of people). I currently live in a 'liberal oasis', and having more republicans to argue with is definitely a plus for me. What I do worry about, is whether the school itself is too conservative. I heard about having the priests/church staff checking the dorm rooms every night, is that true? </p>
<p>And haha "iwannagotoaschoolthatsnotgeorgetown" made me laugh. Georgetown is my second choice (after, obviously, Brown). Are you in the SFS program DCforme? If yes, then it would be great if u can also explain the academics of the school ;)</p>
<p>Nope, not true at all. It's really hard to imagine stuff like that in high school because I couldn't really either, but seriously no one cares what you do. As long as your roommate's cool with it you can have boyfriends/girlfriends in your room to sleepover or whatever you want. The priests aren't like all over involved in student life. Not like Catholic school nuns who beat children with rulers. :)</p>
<p>Strange that you want to escape your liberal oasis but you want to go to Brown.</p>
<p>Anyways, G'town is considered the most secular of the Catholic schools. In fact, in the conservative-bent "Choosing the Right College" guide, the author writes a less-than-glowing report that is more negative in tone than even his report on Berkeley.</p>
<p>I keep hearing this about Georgetown I honestly dont get it. DCforME's post is actually very very accurate.</p>
<p>I guess a reason for this could be the faculty. The Graduate Public Policy program (which is not even on campus) i heard is very conservative, and the faculty in general is fairly balanced... but other than that, I dont know how these "myths" emerge.</p>
<p>One thing you will find, particularly in the Government department, are very strong anti-communist feelings. To quote a FABULOUS professor from the department "the greatest evil that humanity has ever created" Not sure if that has anything to do with it either, im just guessing aloud</p>
<p>Heh, good to hear that it's not overwhelmingly conservative; I'm embarrassed to admit, the thought had been bothering me. =P Although that's upsetting about the Gov department; if I show up with my Socialist pins, I may be thrown out. Heh.</p>
<p>I find it funny that so many people have the perception that Catholicism translate to political conservatism when historically the Catholic demographic has tended to be liberal on a lot of issues, especially regarding social justice.</p>
<p>Whatever anyone says, while the school itself may be with its jesuit tradition, the student body is definitely not conservative (75% chose obama in recent campus poll)</p>