<p>We are in the same situation. My daughter is jewish and will be applying to georgetown this fall. In terms of more jewish schools like Tufts, my son goes to Tufts and classes are not cancelled during Jewish holidays even Yom Kippur. We belong to a conservative temple and our cantor’s son went to Georgetown. That’s enough of an endorsement for me.<br>
We visited several catholic schools and I thought that Georgetown seemed the least religious. In BC info session religion was very noticeable. They actually made me feel uncomfortable. And when she visited Notre Dame, even though she loved the school she thought it was ‘too catholic’. </p>
<p>Georgetown is pretty liberal. People of all faiths (and no faiths) will feel welcome.</p>
<p>My daughter is currently a junior at Georgetown. She actually works for the Jewish Ministry on campus. The school is very tolerant of ALL religious views. She was excused from class on the High Holy Days. Yes, there are many things around campus that remind you that it is a Jesuit school, but it does not make one feel uncomfortable if that is not your faith. There is a very active Jewish life on campus if she chooses to pursue it and at times, her school will team with other area schools for events. My daughter went on Birthright in May with a group sponsored by the Hillel at George Mason. I am happy to answer any specific questions you have!</p>
<p>Thank you, GeorgetownMom. OK, this is a bit of a sensitive topic, but it’s a big one for her. Does your daughter only date Jewish guys and, if so, are there enough opportunities for her to meet them? My daughter has no problem going to a Jesuit school, and actually looks forward to getting to know people of other faiths better. (She’s gone to private Jewish day school her whole life.) But she intends to one day marry Jewish. We recently visited Georgetown, and she’s the one who brought this up. As I mentioned before, the school seems like a particularly good fit for her, and the friendships she might make is not much of a concern. The dating situation is. If you could shed any light on this, I’d appreciate it.</p>
<p>While I agree that Georgetown is in a sophisticated culturally diverse city, it is still the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institute of higher learning in the United States. The Jesuits are members of the Society of Jesus, an international religious community which was founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. You can’t change the backbone of a 250-year old school.</p>
<p>Living61, I know and respect that and wouldn’t want to change it. </p>
<p>Our DS is a senior and protestant who had a Jewish roommate for freshman and sophomore year. While not best friends, they got along fine and still see each other once or twice a month for lunch or a coffee. As posted by others, the campus ministry for all faiths is strong and supportive. As a Jesuit school, the underpinnings of the Catholic church are there but they are in the backgtround. I found the religious culture at GU to be very low key. On the other hand, our DD is at Villanova and the religious culture is very defined and present throughout the campus. It is the total opposite of the GU scene. I think your DD will have no trouble feeling confortable and at home at Georgetown.</p>
<p>Thank you, AvonHSDad. That’s really helpful. When we visited GU not too long ago, she spoke with a Muslim student who was involved in an interfaith group on campus. My D has been involved with one for the past few years, and the information she got made her feel more comfortable and even more enthusiastic about GU. Now, all she has to do is get in…:-)</p>