I got accepted to Anderson university which people tell me is a really christian college but they have my majors. I am a hindu but I don’t know if it is the right decision to take the offer.
Obviously Christian schools are set-up with Christians in mind and hence operate differently…e.g. there is a Chapel-Convocation attendance policy at Anderson. Some Christian colleges ask for a statement of faith in the admissions process, but I don’t think Anderson does, so I’m sure you would be more than welcome on campus. My recommendation would be to make your decision on a lot larger list of criteria than Christian/non-Christian.
I know a few universities that are accepting of everyone but give you the opportunity to “find your faith” while attending.
if you are not a christian it will be hard for you. its not just the school, your peers there will also have discussions that will be uncomfortable for you to participate in. not a bright idea for a hindu to go to a christian college. it will be too much to handle.
Are you OK with this excerpt below, from their website?
And, even if maybe it’s not your cup of tea, do you have other good options? Unless you have quite an esoteric major in mind, I think you can find it elsewhere.
I’ve known people who sent their kids to religious elementary schools when they were of a drastically different faith, so it can be done.
see also: http://www.anderson.edu/chapel/mission
It is different at elementary school level. I am not Catholic but attended a Catholic convent school until high school. All my teachers were brothers. None of us cared that we weren’t all Catholic. But it’s different when your classmates challenge your beliefs, it gets into serious discomfort zone. I’m irreligious now but anytime anyone tries to make me “accept Jesus” or anything like that I just get annoyed at people bringing in personal beliefs into social interactions.
My major is biology. I did visit Anderson university and they require every student to go to 8 chapel meetings per semester out of the 33 they have so I guess it isn’t that bad. But their biology program is extremely good and 80% of the biology major students get into their med school of choice. All the other colleges i’ve applied to are big and i don’t really want to go to a big school so Anderson and USC Beaufort are my top two choices.
Will you have an opportunity to visit the campus when classes are in session? Maybe that will give you a better idea of the campus vibe.
I know a girl who is attending Anderson. She got a nice merit scholarship. I never experienced her as over-the-top religious, but her family is Lutheran and she attended a K-8 Lutheran school, so I imagine that it’s in her comfort zone.
It doesn’t matter, worst you may have to attend chapel but you can nap or do your homework. If you have to take Christian Scripture, take it as studying theology for general knowledge. Most Christian schools are welcoming and accommodating. I know some Hindu, Moslem and Jewish kids from our school district going to SMU, Baylor and TCU on merit scholarships. They feel at home at their schools and like their academic programs.
It’s hard to tell from the website, but it may be that there will be very few non-Christian students at this school. For example, there are no student groups based around religions other than Christianity–but numerous Christian student groups. I think you should consider how much you are willing to be part of a really small minority, and somebody who doesn’t really fit into the mission of the college. If possible, you should visit and talk to students–you may want to ask if there are some non-Christian students you could talk to about their experiences there.