<p>So I know Duke, Davidson, Baylor, and Emory where I'm thinking of applying are all religiously affiliated, what would this mean for a non-Christian student?
Would I be forced to take religious classes at these schools or attend masses and church? Basically how "religious" are they?</p>
<p>You need to investigate each one individually. Start by checking out the graduation requirements. Is there a specific requirement for course credits in Religion? If so, what kind of options are there that meet that requirement? Does a Philosophy or Ethics class count? If only Religion classes count, what kinds of classes are offered in that department? Is it only modern Christianity, or are there courses in History of Religious Thought, or courses in other kinds of religion?</p>
<p>Then check through the list of student organizations on campus. Is there a group from your background? Contact them and ask about their experience.</p>
<p>Duke, Davidson and Emory are not religious at all. They don’t even have a hint of religion even though they are religiously affiliated</p>
<p>Baylor is religious though. I think you have to take religion classes there.</p>
<p>Duke’s divinity school is a christian seminary, so I don’t think it’s accurate to say that Duke is “not religious at all.”</p>
<p>It TOTALLY depends! For instance, I’m an orthodox (traditional) Catholic; I’ve seen Catholic schools that run, operate, and party like “good 'ol Catholic boys and girls” and then I’ve seen Catholic colleges that are on the verge of totally heretical (aka Jesuit schools are to be CAREFULLY examined). </p>
<p>My non-Catholic friends say the exact same thing about other religiously affiliated schools. My mom (who is also a devout Catholic), went to a Protestant Bible school and she said she’s really glad she went if not only for the diversity; it offers a lot of insight into the way different people think. Also, she got out of attending their religious services.</p>
<p>I’ve not looked into Baylor but I heard a prof from BU speak and he was really good. Although I would probably never go, I have a good impression of Baylor.</p>
<p>You really just have to call them and maybe even ask to speak to some current students. Even if you have to take some religion classes, from what I hear about BU, the teachers won’t “shove it all down you throat.”</p>
<p>One of my mom’s best friends went to Duke; academics are good, socially it’s very liberal so it all depends on what you want/are willing to deal with.</p>
<p>
The presence of a divinity school doesn’t tell you anything about the role of religion with respect to undergraduates. Yale has one, for example.</p>
<p>You can generally find the mission of the school on its website, usually under a link that says “About _______ .” Compare Duke’s and Baylor’s missions:</p>
<p>Duke - “The mission of Duke University is to provide a superior liberal education to undergraduate students, attending not only to their intellectual growth but also to their development as adults committed to high ethical standards and full participation as leaders in their communities; to prepare future members of the learned professions for lives of skilled and ethical service by providing excellent graduate and professional education; to advance the frontiers of knowledge and contribute boldly to the international community of scholarship; to promote an intellectual environment built on a commitment to free and open inquiry; to help those who suffer, cure disease, and promote health, through sophisticated medical research and thoughtful patient care; to provide wide ranging educational opportunities, on and beyond our campuses, for traditional students, active professionals and life-long learners using the power of information technologies; and to promote a deep appreciation for the range of human difference and potential, a sense of the obligations and rewards of citizenship, and a commitment to learning, freedom and truth.”</p>
<p>Baylor - “Baylor is founded on the belief that God’s nature is made known through both revealed and discovered truth. Thus, the University derives its understanding of God, humanity, and nature from many sources: the person and work of Jesus Christ, the biblical record, and Christian history and tradition, as well as scholarly and artistic endeavors. In its service to the church, Baylor’s pursuit of knowledge is strengthened by the conviction that truth has its ultimate source in God and by a Baptist heritage that champions religious liberty and freedom of conscience. Without imposing religious conformity, Baylor expects the members of its community to support its mission. Affirming the value of intellectually informed faith and religiously informed education, the University seeks to provide an environment that fosters spiritual maturity, strength of character, and moral virtue.”</p>
<p>That should give you a pretty good barometer on the extent to which the religious environment pervades daily campus life at each.</p>