Re: How accepting are the Ivies?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey everyone, I wanted to post my replies to your inquiries but could not do so due to thread now being closed.</p>

<p>@Hunt I grew up in a small town that is labeled as “conservative” but is pretty influenced by Ann Arbor, a reputably liberal small city. I go to a public school that is actually pretty diverse in regards to political opinion, although less in terms of ethnicity. Ironically, most of my closest friends are strongly liberal, and I have the utmost respect for anyone who tries to better themselves by becoming educated on various pressing issues of our time, even if I disagree with them. I’m pretty open minded; I like hearing new ideas and making my own conceptions off of them.</p>

<p>I have, however, come across quite a few self-labeled liberals who have openly been hostile to my views. I believe that the Ivies have educated students that are respectful of other people’s opinions, even if they disagree with them. I enjoy having educated conversations where multiple notions can be expressed without fear of disillusionment.</p>

<p>@sbjdorlo Thank you for your inspiring and supportive comments. Your insight is exactly what I was looking for and I hope that wherever I end up going, I can live for Christ. I am applying to Harvard for various reasons, including financial aid, for the quality of the education, the resources, and so forth. I have always felt intimately connected with the school based on their commitment to academic excellence, an endeavor I hold to the highest esteem. Ironically enough, Massachusetts is my favorite state, despite it being vociferously liberal in some areas (Cambridge being no exception). I personally feel that Harvard is the school where I would be the most intellectually stimulated, and that is why it is (by far) my top choice school.</p>

<p>@allyphoe That is quite an interesting story. My church and parents strongly encourage secondary education for myself and all of my sisters. They are actually encouraging my eldest sister to apply to Harvard or Yale for their fine arts program. I come from a minority background where most kids my age idolize the idea of early marriage, and I obviously don’t. An education is most important to me right now, although I may stand in the minority by saying that.</p>

<p>@Axelrod Yes, I’m applying to all four of those schools, Y, P, and D under RD.</p>

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<p>There’s a great book you should read. It’s called Fish out of Water, by Abby Nye and it addresses the issues Christians face when going to secular schools. One of its major points, though only stated once or twice, is that there is a vast difference between liberal and leftist. Liberals are tolerant and respectful of many points of view, including conservative Christian ones; leftists are only tolerant of other leftists. Many people confuse the two, and call themselves liberal, when they really mean leftist. You will know by the way you (and conservatives, who may or may not be Christians) are treated which one you are dealing with.</p>

<p>Wherever you apply, make sure there is a strong Christian fellowship on campus. Contact the student leader of this group before you sign on the dotted line, just to ensure that you have support wherever you enroll. Once on campus, look for faculty members who are Christian. Even at Harvard, there will be one or two, and they will need your support as much as you need theirs!</p>

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<p>If your faith can’t stand up to four years of living with non-Christians and the odd bit of questioning, then it probably wasn’t that strong a faith in the first place, but that’s just my opinion. </p>

<p>I live in a country where only 59% of the population as a whole claim to be Christian, most of whom don’t actually go to church, and 25% say they have no religion (i.e. are atheist / agnostic) according to last years census, and younger people are less likely to be religious. I go to a university which has no religious affiliation (not that you actually get religious universities here, but you see my point) and is academically comparable to an Ivy League school. However, there are two churches on campus (one Catholic, one multi-denominational chaplaincy) and various Christian organisations that students can choose if they so wish. </p>

<p>Despite being in a non-religious environment, I know Christians (and Muslims, and Jews etc.) who quite happily continue to practice their faith, and people let them get on with it. I’m yet to come across anyone somehow being berated for their religion, or talked out of it, or anything like that. In fact, I know students who choose to live together where there are Muslims, Christians and Atheists, all in the same household, and they all get along fine. </p>

<p>The only thing that doesn’t really happen here is people going out of their way to try and convert others - but that’s mainly because the population as a whole isn’t too keen on it. I don’t know many people who like the people who preach over a microphone in shopping districts. As the saying goes, religion is like a *****. It’s fine to have one, it’s fine to be proud of it, but please don’t wave it around in public and definitely please don’t shove it down my children’s throats. </p>

<p>Now, this is a country that is far less religious than the one that you will be staying in. If Christians here can continue to practice their Christianity in peace, then I’m sure that you will be able to at an Ivy League school too.</p>

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<p>You will probbably be fine. I have heard that Harvard is very welcoming to Catholics. (even though you probbably arent one). </p>

<p>Really unless you claim the earth is 4,000 years old, You should be fine.</p>

<p>Also if you enjoy the WBC. Then. Do. Not. Go.</p>

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<p>It was closed for a reason.</p>

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<p>For serious Christians considering Harvard, here’s an insightful article written by a 3-degree Hah-vod man and Believer. </p>

<p>[Harvard</a> Ironies](<a href=“http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/series/harvard-ironies/]Harvard”>Harvard Ironies - Mark D. Roberts)</p>

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This is good advice, but it is true at just about every school.</p>

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<p>Very interesting article Whistle Pig</p>

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<p>Hunt,</p>

<p>My son actually found at least three schools on his list where the Christian support on campus was weak in terms of actual support. I feel strongly that it pays to check out things in advance, if possible, because the dynamics of individual groups might not be what a potential student is looking for.</p>

<p>Interesting article, WP.</p>

<p>Here’s one of my favorite articles that pertains to the Christian faith and life at an Ivy League college (or any college really). It’s a hefty article but well worth the read, IMO.</p>

<p>[Danielle</a> Sallade on Human Flourishing – The Gospel Coalition Blog](<a href=“http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/06/07/danielle-sallade-on-human-flourishing/]Danielle”>http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/06/07/danielle-sallade-on-human-flourishing/)</p>

<p>Here’s the link to the pdf:</p>

<p><a href=“http://tgc-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/cci/Sallade.pdf[/url]”>http://tgc-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/cci/Sallade.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>sbjdorlo … thanks for sharing Danielle Sallade’s powerful essay. Understandably her calling to campus ministry leads her to focus her piece on how college students might live, study, and pursue their careers that they may “flourish.” </p>

<p>We would all do well, no matter where we may be in our own “educational journey”, to read this and strive to embrace its wise counsel. The only “problem” is that her right-on words are exclusive, only meaningful to those granted the gift of being faithful followers of Christ. Strikes me that Sallade’s main point is that THAT PEDIGREE and its practice are far more essential to the optimal life both here and thereafter than any degree from Princeton, Harvard, or the local proprietary cosmetology school. She explains all can lead to godly work and living … or no where. That is has virtually nothing to do with the institutional name on the fake sheepskin. We should seek real sheepskin, like the Lamb’s.</p>

<p>Again, thanks for sharing.</p>

<p>P.S. And thanks for drawing us to the Gospel Coalition site. Lots and lots of great meat on that bone!</p>

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That’s true, of course. Some of the Ivies, at least, have active Intervarsity-associated groups, but they may not work for everyone.</p>

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<p>What the!?</p>

<p>If I was given that “gift,” I’d send it right back and get a refund.</p>

<p>Keep your friggin’ religious dogma to yourself.</p>

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<p>Did you read the article? Not my dogma. One of the great mysteries of Christ. Available to all, received by some, sent packing by a few. </p>

<p>Wonder where it got “sent.” :)</p>

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<p>GolfFather, this is a forum set up specifically to discuss Christian Colleges, and the issue of Christian life at other colleges often comes up here–appropriately, I think. It’s not surprising that some doctrinal issues come up, as well, and not everybody agrees on them. Certainly, I don’t agree with Whistle Pig on some of these topics. But they’re not exactly inappropriate–as long as they don’t stray too far into politics, which violates the TOS.</p>

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<p>Thanks Hunt. Appreciate your nice, clear edification and explanation.</p>

<p>btw … anyone notice the promotional BANNER at the top of this forum, put on there by none other than College Confidential? </p>

<p>**“Where is GOD leading you?” ** :eek:</p>

<p>God, we have to appreciate your sense of humor and timing! : :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: ;)</p>

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<p>GolfFather - one has to wonder why you’re on a Christian forum? Your comment certainly seems uncalled for in this setting. It actually seems like you could be the one purposely wanting/trying to close a thread (that is otherwise quite useful for many) just because it doesn’t go along with what you, personally, believe.</p>

<p>Any chance a moderator can remove that particular comment and leave the thread alone? The topic shouldn’t have to be ended (in this forum especially) due to the intolerance of one (or a couple if more were to show up) who shouldn’t even be here if that’s not “their thing.”</p>

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<p>While it’s tempting to agree, Jesus might well have said, “C’mon along! And learn the truth.” Hey, He lent no opposition to ol’ Pilate beyond confirming his monarchy and deity, assuring PP that all he testified to was true! And all in full, brutal knowledge that PP would with the endorsement of the people, crucify him. Like in court where everyone of us must confirm we’re telling the same, “So help me, God~” </p>

<p>I vote “stay” if he can be civil and decent. We need not agree, nor do we need to mock each other, imho. But let’s be clear, it’s impossible to exclude Christ and what He stood for when the entire point, as creekland notes well, of the forum is to explore the purpose, meaning, mission, and institutional dogma as it relates to Jesus Christ. If that is so distasteful, it’s a simple thing to avoid. Simply make no effort to check in. Interesting how some want to exclude Christ from Christianity because they are offended.</p>

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<p>This is what I truly dislike. I don’t tolerate mocking in my classroom (public high school) over race/religion/whatever and it really shouldn’t be tolerated here. But the solution shouldn’t be to close a thread that is useful. The solution is to deal directly with the one who can’t get along. They either learn to be tolerant of others or they get sent packing…</p>

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<p>I don’t see that ad, WP–maybe it’s just for you!</p>

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<p>Thanks WP, Hunt, and Creekland. I love this forum and am thankful it exists.</p>