<p>Okay so I know that this might be a dumb question but can a non-catholic person attend SLU? I'm Buddhist and I'm interested in attend SLU. I love the campus and I love the students there. I know that it's a Jesuit university and I'm wondering for those who attend there, how predominate is the religion in your everyday life? Is that one of the admission requirement? Do you have to attend religion class as a student? Would I still be accepted/have a good experience attending a religious affiliated school? Thank you!</p>
<p>Hey so I attended SLU this past year, and while I am transferring, it’s definitely not because I didn’t like the school! (They just didn’t exactly have the major/program in which I’m interested.) Now, for your questions…</p>
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<li><p>You definitely don’t have to be Catholic to attend SLU! It is not an admissions requirement. You can belong to any religion or none at all. </p></li>
<li><p>As for “how predominate” religion will be in your everyday life, much of that is in your control. No one will pressure you to go to Mass or become a Catholic/Christian or anything like that. While I don’t know if there is any kind of Buddhist-specific association on campus, there are a variety of inter-faith groups that are open to everyone. However, there are a few (relatively small) ways in which SLU’s religious affiliation does affect everyone, including: Easter Break (no classes on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, or Easter Monday); crosses/crucifixes in various classrooms; and the fact that, in keeping with Catholic tradition, the university does not provide condoms or contraceptives on campus.</p></li>
<li><p>You will have to take three theology classes at SLU, but only the introductory course in the sequence is specifically Christian/Catholic focused. After that you can more or less pick any two other theology classes that interest you, and they don’t necessarily have to be Catholic/Christian.</p></li>
<li><p>To finish it all up, you can certainly have both good and bad experiences at religious schools, but it’s doubtful that it will make or break your college career. I have various friends who aren’t Catholic, who are gay, and who are atheists, and they have all enjoyed their time at SLU.</p></li>
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<p>Best of luck with your college search, and feel free to PM me if you have any more questions or concerns!</p>
<p>I echo exactly what emaytay213 said! SLU is indeed a Catholic school, and its run by the group of Catholic priests called the Jesuits. The Jesuits are known for being a very open, accepting group of priests, and this makes SLU the kind of place where a Jesuit priest who finds out you are Buddhist will probably try to help you find a place where you can worship with other Buddhists in the city of St. Louis… and chances are, that Jesuit priest will know a Buddhist at that place that he can introduce you to 
The Campus Ministry office also has connections to many religious organizations in St. Louis, so you can go there to get directions/introductions to local Buddhist temples.</p>
<p>Personally, I found my inter-faith experiences at SLU to be one of the most rewarding parts of my education!</p>