Pepperdine, how conservative are you?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pepperdine University
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<p>Hey.</p>

<p>I just recently got accepted into Pepperdine, and I'm wondering if it would be a good fit for me.</p>

<p>What I've heard about Pepperdine is that it's location is beautiful, people can be snobby, and that they're rather conservative.</p>

<p>I've grown up in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and I've been on the same campus for the past 13 years. My freshmen year of high school, I came out as gay, which caused some concern with the conservative faculty. Once, I was called into the principal's office after my NPR piece on growing up gay in the Adventist church aired (maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the name of my school, but, whatever, what's done is done. I was a mere 15 year old).</p>

<p>Being in that more Conservative environment sort of drove me crazy at times. The small-mindedness and stupidity of some of the faculty and students made me weep on occasions. But overall, the school was very accepting, and I can honestly say i did have some bright moments there. Which I will think of fondly. For another 5 years or so. Before I'll totally forget about them all. (Suckerrrrrs!)</p>

<p>Anyway.</p>

<p>What I'm trying to ask, I suppose, is, is Pepperdine really all that conservative? My Aunt just recently came back from visiting that area (she graduated in the 80s), and she said that while the faculty was more on the conservative side, that the student body seemed to be more liberal in their views. Is this an accurate description? 'Cause I could totally work with that.</p>

<p>I can be pretty political, and I lean to the left. Like. I'm practically lying down, already fell over.</p>

<p>Or would Pepperdine be completely the wrong choice for me?</p>

<p>I can do the whole chapel thing, and Bible classes. Been doing that for the past 13 years. Or should I just stick with NYU? Where I'll be cold and lonely and will probably end up becoming Jewish, or something.</p>

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<p>Don’t let the conservative label dissuade you. I’m a freshman here right now and really…it for sure is more conservative than most colleges but I find it in no way overbearing at all. I don’t see, from my experiences, that people will judge you in a way that will make you regret your decision of going here over NYU. </p>

<p>I would tend to put the conservative/liberal ratio around 50/50, or at least that’s what it seems like. I have found that there is a noticeable gay population here too. My advice: there is no reason to let the “conservativeness” of Pepperdine alone make you cross this school off your list. It does not warrant it.</p>

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<p>I agree with Snowc1b. Pepperdine is not nearly as conservative as the rap it gets. It’s more like 50-50, which is more conservative than most universities. I’m politically liberal, Christian and have many gay friends. There are tons of us roaming around.
The faculty do tend to be more conservative than students, but they can surprise you. Compared to other Christian universities, Pepperdine is liberal. </p>

<p>I would love to have you at Pep, but you should consider each school on the whole and determine where you would be happier. That matters most in the end.</p>