<p>hello to all -</p>
<p>I've been accepted to Rhodes, and I'm strongly considering attending, but I did have a few reservations. I am a practicing (religious) Catholic from the Northeast, and I was wondering if either of those qualities would make me feel out of place. I know that the school is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church; does the religion really inform the school's identity and culture? I know there is a Catholic organization on campus, does anyone know how strong it is? Also, would the Southern culture make a Northeast resident feel alien or out of uncomfortable?</p>
<p>Obviously, this is a southern, Presbyterian school, so those characteristics will be strongly present - I don't have a problem with this at all. I'm just wondering if someone from a different region and a different faith would feel comfortable. Any opinions?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>theHyacinthgirl, CONGRATULATIONS</p>
<p>theHyacinthgirl, CONGRATULATIONS on your acceptance to Rhodes. Although I do not know the answer to your question, here is a link to the religious organizations page from the Rhodes site <a href="http://www.rhodes.edu/ReligiousLifeandCommunityService/Religious-Organizations.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.rhodes.edu/ReligiousLifeandCommunityService/Religious-Organizations.cfm</a>
I'm sure that the campus chaplain, Rev. Billy Newton, would be happy to answer any questions you have. His e-mail address is <a href="mailto:newton@rhodes.edu">newton@rhodes.edu</a>. My daughter has had some questions, too, about the "religious" thing at Rhodes. We're not Catholic, but she attended Catholic school for several years and when we attend church, we go to the Catholic church. Because there is a religious affiliation with Rhodes, she was somewhat concerned that she might feel pressured to adhere to that, but I don't get that impression.</p>
<p>Hyacinthgirl,</p>
<p>I gathered from the very informative tour we took that Rhodes is not a high-pressure religious school towards any denomination, or any faith. We learned that there are required "exploration"types of courses, one for folks who are more traditional in their faiths, and one for searchers, so I did not feel like folks were very judgemental about this sort of thing. I know some kids who go to or graduated from Rhodes and they definitely were not uncomfortable about expressing whatever was true about their faiths. I am happy for you that you are thinking about Rhodes, I am still hoping my son will go there as well. I think it is more cosmopolitan than many schools in the South, and there is much to be said for Southern hospitality and warmth. I was very impressed by how warmly we were welcomed by "random" students on campus. Good luck with your decision!</p>