<p>So, I go to a Catholic high school in MA, but I am agnostic. I know BC to be a respectable institution. I think I may have an advantage applying from a parochial school, perhaps. However, I don’t want an overbearing, conservative, religious atmosphere. I am a liberal Democrat and I am considering schools like Brown, Wesleyan, Tufts, Bard , Amherst and Macalester. Please relpy, thanx.</p>
<p>It didn't really seem to lean too much either way to me.</p>
<p>Jesuits don't tend to rank among the most conservative groups out there, so don't let the fact that it is religious distance you from it.</p>
<p>Did you read the "Religion at BC" thread? I'm going to post my own opinions on religion there as a practicing (though progressive) Catholic, but there are a few good agnostic perspectives already posted.</p>
<p>I don't think coming from a Catholic high school will make any difference, since BC likes having a good mix of public/private high school grads and probably gets applicants in equal proportion from each.</p>
<p>I would def not worry about an "overbearing conservative" atmosphere. BC is the most liberal of the Catholic schools, especially being Jesuit and in New England. Overall, its probably not as liberal as Brown or Wesleyan, but as a liberal Democrat you will find good company. If you are a hard core Democrat, def check out the College Democrats. Id also check out other groups like the College Greens, the Global Justice Project and The Patriot, BC's left-leaning student newspaper. Id even check out the College Republicans--seriously. Political clubs at BC generally tend to be more liberal than their national counterparts and this is especially true of BC Republicans who supported gay marriage legislation, for example.</p>