<p>How would a non-religious, but politically conservative student fit in at most universities? Most of the non-religious seem to be more liberal, and would more than likely fit in at more liberal universities. On the other hand, most politically conservative universities are either directly affiliated with a church, or are at least leaning toward more a more religious view. It seems like you would be picking who you would want to argue against, really. So, is this even a real factor at most colleges, or am I making a bigger deal out of it?</p>
<p>What kind of conservative? At many non-religious schools, there tend to be more students who are conservative in a fiscal or economic sense than there are in a social sense. The heavily religious schools may have more social conservatives, though.</p>
<p>At most schools, you should be able to find your niche. Even among top universities there are balanced schools like Vanderbilt and Washington & Lee. Most liberal schools would be fine, but I would be careful with militant liberal schools like Oberlin, Swarthmore, and Brown.</p>
<p>I’m not so familiar with schools on a national level, but I can tell you that in our neck of the woods, the Jesuit schools (with the exception of Georgetown) would probably be a pretty good fit. First off, Jesuits are very religiously tolerant and at most of the schools you would not be required to take a Catholic theology class (Buddhism or Hinduism would satisfy the core). But even at those schools where a Catholic theology class is required, it would not be out of the realm of possibility for the class to be taught by an atheist or agnostic. I suspect most of the kids at these schools do run conservative, but on the whole they’re pretty apolitical and prefer to go about the things directly affecting them. And while the loud mouth liberals may be seen as annoying by most of these kids, a loud mouth conservative would be almost as irritating, but both are tolerated with good humor. </p>
<p>The schools I’m thinking of are Boston College, Fordham, Fairfield, St. Joe’s, Scranton, and Loyola Maryland. I think there are probably other Catholic non-Jesuit colleges that would fit the bill - Villanova, Seton Hall, Providence, and Sacred Heart come to mind.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’d have a problem at most schools in the US (perhaps avoid a few very liberal leaning schools). Wherever you end up I suggest that you be respectful and open to discussions as well as friendships with people with opinions other than your own. And I also don’t think you’d have a problem at any Jesuit college either – my S went to Fordham and had many friends who were not religious and many who were not Catholic and they were happy there (again, respect for other opinions is key IMO). </p>
<p>I’m definitely much more fiscally conservative. I think social issues are of the least importance, but that’s beside the point. Based on that, would you say it would be better to just go to an unaffiliated school? This isn’t the most important factor for me, just something I wanted to look into.</p>
<p>Hillsdale College is well known for its conservative beliefs, and to my knowledge, it is not religiously affiliated. Very unique school (they refuse federal money and are entirely privately funded, all students have to take classes on the Constitution etc.) You may want to look into it. </p>
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<p>For the great majority of schools, it won’t be an issue at all.</p>
<p>Yes, but for those schools where it is a big deal, it is a HUGE factor. </p>
<p>Universities tend to be large enough that it’s not a problem, you’ll find like-minded students even in political hotbeds like Harvard, but when looking at LACs, you need to be careful if you don’t want to feel ostracized. The Princeton Guide is pretty good at sniffing out those schools where you might feel less than welcome - be wary of any school that gets the “Political Activism is Popular” label - that’s usually the code for some pretty hard core leftist views and no opposing ones. I think the running joke about Reed is that the only political arguments on campus are between the socialists and the communists.</p>
<p>For the most part, this won’t even be an issue. Universities have a very diverse population, and you’ll be able to find your niche basically anywhere. There are some schools that are incredibly liberal and other schools that are very religious, and these schools would likely be best avoided. But at most schools it won’t be anything resembling a problem. I’m a liberal atheist, so clearly I’m going to avoid very religious or conservative schools. But at 99% of the universities in the country, there will be plenty of other liberal atheists as well. </p>
<p>There are only a handful of schools where the majority of the student body might be incredibly liberal - Smith comes to mind right away. But most universities are very diverse - and even departments within the school might have varying political leanings; the Women’s Studies department might be more socially liberal than say, the Economics department where there are more fiscally conservative/laissez-faire/anti-gov’t spending minded individuals. Departments like Political Science, International Relations, and Middle Eastern Studies might have a very wide spectrum of political views. I don’t think it’ll be a problem. </p>
<p>One of my best friends is a conservative atheist. I’m a flaming liberal and we still get along well (clearly). He graduated from very liberal Michigan with few issues. </p>