<p>I have a question concerning hooks. Is not being Catholic helpful in admissions at all? I’m Protestant, technically presbyterian but with all the new changes to ideologies, I find myself aligning more the Lutheran faith. But I am very involved with my church (which is also avoiding Presbyterianism, although it has Presbyterian in the name) as a youth leader on Wednesday nights. But I’m ranting. Does this boost or hurt me at all?</p>
<p>Interestingly Catholic schools like BC and Jewish Schools like Brandies clearly do not use Region as a factor in their admissions process. If so Hindus like us would never be able to get Admission in these schools. Ethnicity? That is a whole different question. :)</p>
<p>I find questions based on Religion rather fascinating. I have always been asked as to why my D was applying to a Catholic University. In a country like India known to be made up of predominantly Hindus, this question wouldn’t even come up. As a Hindu, I went to a Catholic Middle School and a Protestant High School and the most important question had to do with Education and not with Religion.</p>
<p>Ok… That’s interesting but didnt really help. But thank you!</p>
<p>I think they meant “religion” instead of “region,” in which case it answers your question, assuming they are knowledgeable.</p>
<p>Religion is what it was supposed to say. Here is the corrected version :)</p>
<p>Interestingly Catholic schools like BC and Jewish Schools like Brandies clearly do not use RELIGION as a factor in their admissions process. If so Hindus like us would never be able to get Admission in these schools. Ethnicity? That is a whole different question. </p>
<p>I find questions based on Religion rather fascinating. I have always been asked as to why my D was applying to a Catholic University. In a country like India known to be made up of predominantly Hindus, this question wouldn’t even come up. As a Hindu, I went to a Catholic Middle School and a Protestant High School and the most important question had to do with Education and not with Religion.</p>
<p>Ahhh sorry. For some reason that just made me read the whole thing differently. Thank you both!!</p>
<p>I think BC is pretty much “agnostic” (pun intended) about a candidate’s religion when it comes to selecting them. Religion is not an overarching aspect of the lives of most BC students aside from what is required as part of the core. I don’t have any idea how the demographics of BC students map to the demographics of the wider US population, but I’d guess BC is probably more Catholic in that respect.</p>
<p>And all typos and kidding aside, BC is definitely NOT agnostic about region… given a choice between a local kid and an otherwise equivalent kid from a far-away land or a western U.S. state, BC seems to go with the non-local option. I don’t think that makes BC any different from most national universities. And there are still plenty of New England natives here.</p>
<p>Edit: Noted the OP mentioned being very involved at church – at BC this kind of EC involvement and volunteerism is a big plus, so that is something to stress over the fact that you are not Catholic. Just a note.</p>
<p>Well I’m from Minnesota and very involved in my church so that’s good!!</p>
<p>A Jesuit education is just that: education in the Jesuit tradition (which just happens to be Catholic).</p>
<p>Jesuit education honors ‘scholarship, loyalty and service’, all of which can be found in any religion or no religion. The point is that you could be agnostic and still be heavily involved in your community. And if you are into academics, and enjoy working with others for the common good, you’d fit in well at BC.</p>
<p>Wrt to religion courses…two theology courses are required, but they are not indoctrination but read and analyze the bible like any other great work of literature. One excellent theology Prof is Jewish, and she adds her personal perspective, and students from other faiths are invited to bring theirs’.</p>
<p>This might be funny for me to apply to BC, but I am a strong atheist (obviously didn’t put my religious preference on my app) and I don’t really mind taking a religious class but is religion really forced on people there? I like BC for its academics and environment but I just don’t want people to be preaching to me 24/7 to convert. I have an open mind and all but I don’t want to be converted.</p>
<p>^^Not “funny” at all. I attended an Info Session and one of the student presenters was agnostic. But he still found plenty to like about BC.</p>
<p>No, religion is not “forced”; no one will try to convert you. It’s there if you want to participate. Some do. Many do not.</p>
<p>Didn’t mean it in that “funny” fashion, just in a weird fashion. Sorry there. I don’t mind religion and all, heck I tolerate it but I just don’t like a very oppressive atmosphere. Is religion a req course?</p>
<p>^i feel the same way about religion, and I’m considering applying to BC, so I would love to hear the answer to this question too :)</p>
<p>I’m a current bc freshman, not religious at all. While I feel like no one is forcing me to be Catholic, I’ve found that some activities I’ve tried to get involved with/want to have religious elements and it can just be sort of annoying. Like volunteer opportunities/service trips/retreats.</p>
<p>Exactly what is a “strong atheist”? It’s a binary situation, either you believe in a deity or you don’t. </p>
<p>I admit I don’t understanding why an atheist would choose to attend BC or any other religiously affiliated school. There are many secular schools that are of equal quality to BC that don’t require the religion classes - why not attend those? I’m always left thinking that the 'strong atheist" is really an agnostic looking for affirmation or refutation.</p>
<p>Regardless, your religious affiliation will have no impact in the admissions decision. You will however, be expected to take a number of philosophy/religion classes. As far as the “aura” of religion, I suspect the truly devout will find BC too secular and the true atheists find it oppressively Catholic. It’s all about perspective.</p>
<p>what’s BC like for a jewish student?</p>