<p>I absolutely love almost everything about Villanova. The size, the academic reputation, the school spirit, the emphasis on community service in greek life, and the prime location of being near but not in a city. I even like the name and the school colors (inconsequential as it may seem..) !
Anyways, lately I've just been reading some really terrible things about how conservative, close-minded, and white Nova really is. This seems like a terrible place to grow and learn about the world! Where's the challenge? Where's the diversity? Where's the room to expand your views and find out who you really are!?
I guess I'm asking this question to either confirm or fight the points I've made or to (more likely) suggest other schools similar to Nova in all the positive ways I listed above but with a more diverse student body. I know this is a pretty hefty request but please help! </p>
<p>Your post makes no sense. You love everything about Villanova but you believe other’s posts about it being homogenous, conservative and closed minded. </p>
<p>You seem to be looking for a school that matches your own viewpoint of the world to the exclusion of other viewpoints i.e. conservative. That is rather closed minded.</p>
<p>Sorry I guess I didn’t make this very clear - the area I’m from is very much the same people wise as I perceive Villanova as being. Everyone is conservative, upper middle class and white. I fit into that category almost to a tee. I want to be challenged and debated when I go to college so that I can grow in my understanding of the world, not surrounded solely by unquestioning like minded people. Maybe this goal seems to make no sense to you but it’s something that’s important to me. </p>
<p>I do believe other peoples posts because I have seen so many of them. If you have a different side of the story to share than please do! </p>
<p>The lack of diversity is not THAT bad…</p>
<p>For more diverse schools, go to your local state school or apply for the ivies. </p>
<p>But honestly, I think you will be a great fit here in Villanova. You will have the opportunity to explore more diverse neighborhoods on St. Thomas of Villanova day of service. Although that program is ostensibly for serving the community, it’s more about exploring the impoverished black communities of inner city philly and camden.</p>
<p>It’s funny you ask this question, it’s very similar to what I asked a few days ago! I too worry that Villanova may be too homogeneous in nature, and that the lack of diversity may grow tedious after awhile. I have racked my brain (and a slew of other sources…) trying to find a school with a similar academic reputation and sense of community for myself that is perhaps a tad more globally minded, and ultimately failed. I agree with MrInformed, state schools and ivies are probably a better bet if you really are desperate for that level of diversity (but of course this too depends on whether villanova is more of a reach or safety for you, relatively - I am from NJ, definitely don’t want to go to Rutgers, but highly doubt UPenn will be interested in my 32 ACT…but I digress). I do know a few Villanova students, however, and from what I have heard it is definitely possible to find a niche that is more open minded (or at least I hope!) Here is a link to my question, some of the responses made me feel a little better, maybe they will allay your fears as well:) good luck either way!</p>
<p><a href=“Is Villanova too vanilla for me? - Villanova University - College Confidential Forums”>Is Villanova too vanilla for me? - Villanova University - College Confidential Forums;
<p>I am the parent of a recent grad who is non white, non catholic, and not conservative. Nova turned out to be a great experience, academically and culturally. I think Nova is making a lot of progress on the diversity front but it takes some time to get there, especially in light of their reputation of lacking diversity. It’s a catch 22: they want more diversity but prospectives avoid attending because not enough diversity presently exists. </p>
<p>The reality is that there is plenty of diversity at Nova in real numbers but not by percentages. In other words, you will find sufficient cultural diversity on campus, but don’t expect to see it in every single enclave and classroom around campus like you might see at certain other schools where the overall percentages are much higher. So the difference may be that you become a more active participant in some of the culturally sponsored activities around campus, or spend some purposeful time getting to know the international student community, or take advantage of some of of the off campus and cross registration opportunities as opposed to just waiting for certain experiences to just fall into your lap.</p>
<p>
Mostly agree, especially about state schools. Very little diversity at private universities and colleges, which is precisely why they work at diversity. Ivies are diverse because they have so many applicants. Even so, you don’t have people of ordinary intelligence at the Ivies. This cuts against diversity too. By definition, being elite means not diverse. Always being around incredibly smart people is just as insular as any other kind of homogeneity.</p>
<p>I live in Ohio, and the most diverse school here is… surprise! Ohio State University. </p>
<p>look at Boston College, similar to Villanova but a little more diverse</p>
<p>BC is not diverse. Don’t fool yourself.</p>
<p>Check out the Catholic colleges in California (San Diego, Santa Clara and San Fran )</p>
<p>Bentley univ in Waltham ma. is a great school. They just surpassed villanova in business school rankings. They are flying up the charts but you have to want to major in business</p>
<p>Also they are very generous with their academic scholarships</p>
<p>tbh i’ve never heard of bentley in my life and i’m pretty well versed in universities. Looking at you’re post history, you’re obviously an advocate of bentley and trying to advertise it on all the threads.</p>
<p>I was worried about this too. I go to Villanova now and there is a good amount of diversity, WAY more than I expected. I definitely would not describe it as homogenous.</p>
<p>Villanova is homogenous by all accounts. There is diversity here but it’s a very small and non-vocal minority. It has been getting better year to year. </p>
<p>The schools that are commonly listed as being “similar” to Nova like Bucknell, BC, and Lehigh don’t fare much better in the diversity department.</p>
<p>I would say UMD College Park would fit your billing. It’s similar to Nova in terms of prestige and school spirit, located just as far from DC as Nova is from Philly and has a very diverse student body. You’ll also save some money.</p>
Parent chiming in here, my D has read that Villanova’s social life occurs off campus and that the parties are mostly run by the Greeks (off campus). A large greek system and the lack of diversity are two areas of concern for her. She applied to UMD as well but the size of the student body is a bit intimidating.
Actually, the greek system here is relatively small compared to other universities.
As a minority, I do believe there is a lack of diversity, but for many of my white peers, they would say there is a lot of diversity, especially compared to the private catholic high schools they attended… About 20% minorities which imo is a small amount, but for many white people, it’s much more than they’ve ever experienced.