Very Good Schools That Aren't Too Liberal

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys. I'm a conservative Jew (in both senses of the word) who attends a VERY liberal high school. I constantly stand up for America and capitalism while 80% of the grade dissents America's policies and seem somewhat socialist.</p>

<p>I would love to attend a university where I could interact with people who I can agree with, rather than having to fight my way through as I have done through high school. I know Trinity College is still relatively conservative, and I've heard that Georgetown offers a good balance. I'm not looking for southern conservative, though, if you know what I mean (eg. Vanderbilt, Alabama, etc.).</p>

<p>I'd really appreciate any help.
Thanks.</p>

2

<p>There's a difference between standing up for America and being conservative even universities that are conservative will tell you that. Anyway, back tothe matter at hand UVA has a good balance if it's not too "southern" for you. It's right there in the middle and it's pretty much 50/50. Be moderate like me your life will be easier.</p>

3

<p>Pepperdine, BYU, and a lot of (but not all) Catholic schools.</p>

4

<p>Ask a question like that and you will quickly realize how few institutions there are that aren't too liberal, aren't too southern, and don't have a Christian orientation, like BYU or Wheaton (IL). (To see what I mean, take a look at princetonreview's 'Schools Nostalgic for Reagan' and 'Future Rotarians and Daughters of the American Revolution'.) The private schools in the south are often less southern because they draw from all over the nation. Schools where business and engineering predominate can also be less liberal and they may have other good programs as well, if those two areas are not your cup of tea. But you've probably figured most of this out and need names. University of Richmond and Wm&Mary are worth checking out. Northern VA students are decidely less southern, but more liberal as well, and have a strong presence at W&M and UVA.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Is an active Jewish life on campus important to you? If so, you might want to look into that. Off the top of my head it seems like schools that have a large Jewish population just aren't very conservative (but I have no idea about Yeshiva etc).</p>

6

<p>I've heard that Wake Forest and Washington and Lee are both fairly conservative.</p>

<p>UVA I've heard is fairly split. The city of Charlottesville voted as whole very liberally during the midterms last year, however. (Not that that makes a big difference).</p>

7

<p>University of Chicago, too:</p>

<p><a href="http://psac.uchicago.edu/faq.html#political%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://psac.uchicago.edu/faq.html#political&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

8

<p>If u want conservative: Wake Forest.</p>

<p>It was once baptist affiliated, but not anymore. Nonetheless, it is still a very good school and still is pretty conservative.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wfu.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.wfu.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

9

<p>CMC a Claremont school is fairly conservatice right next to Pomona, very liberal . Great school lots of personal attention!</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
I constantly stand up for America and capitalism while 80% of the grade dissents America's policies and seem somewhat socialist.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The fact that you label those who don't share your political views as being anti-American and "socialist" may explain why you feel antagonism when you discuss politics.</p>

<p>It's been my observation here on CC that attempts to label colleges as "conservative" or "liberal" are usually misguided and almost always futile. Good colleges go beyond those simplistic labels.</p>

<p>For example, here's the introduction to a course on Religious Ethics in the Modern World at a so-called "liberal" college -- a course that deals with all the hot-button issues including abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, war, etc. As I think you can see, good colleges demand that students be able to understand multiple sides of an issue. I guess what I'm suggesting is that choosing a college based on popular politics may seriously limit your options, unnecessarily.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Religious Ethics in the Modern World:
Love, Law, and Justice</p>

<p>The Purpose of this Course:
This course will introduce you to a limited number of debates within contemporary Christian (and Jewish) ethics. It is my hope that you will leave the course with a sense of the rich intellectual tradition of Christian and Jewish moral reasoning and a sense of how it has (or does) translate into political action. </p>

<p>Goals:
By the end of this course, you should be conversant in the major themes, figures, and language of contemporary Christian (and some Jewish) ethics. You should be able to rehearse some major arguments and identify the positions of the major players. You should also be able to write a good letter to the editor, and an insightful op-ed piece.</p>

<p>Ideology:
Religious commitment is not a prerequisite for this course, and is not required to succeed. We will be listening in on debates within contemporary religious ethics. The field is huge, so I have narrowed it down to a taste of mostly American and Christian positions. I have chosen materials that are interesting and off-beat. With such a short semester, I couldn’t fit everything in. If there is an issue you want to learn about I will help provide materials, even lead an extra session. My position on the material is not relevant for your grade. My positions on the issues, if you can figure them out, will not serve as an ideological measuring stick for grading. I do, however, expect that the language of the assignments be responsible. The life and work of Paul Farmer will serve as our backdrop and we will be referring to him throughout the semester. </p>

<p>Writing:
This will be an exercise in public writing. Most of the assigned readings are primary sources, academic articles, or religious academics writing about ethics. Your writing, however, should be geared towards a public. It should aim for clarity, accuracy, insight, wit, and brevity. Your letters to the editor will be addressed to the various articles, chapters, and books we are reading. Letters should be posted, with name, on the Blackboard site by the assigned day and time. Within the next few class sessions, I will provide more information on writing op-eds, letters to the editor, etc.</p>

<p>** Letters to the editor should be posted on blackboard by Thursday evening, giving everyone a chance to view the letters and comment on them by Friday’s class. **</p>

<p>Classroom Experience:
This course will also be an exercise in civil discourse. The instructor will be taking on a variety of voices, playing the ventriloquist, in order to provoke learning. This means that “offense” should be expected, greeted as a challenge, and worked with creatively. Between students, however, you will be expected to speak with the highest forms of civility and grace to each other and with each other. This may mean saying things like “well, if one holds that abortion is murder, than one etc. etc.” Though these issues should provoke your passionate engagement, your flesh-and-blood fellow students and fellow citizens deserve civility and respect. </p>

<p>Class time will be partially lecture – I will discuss some of the intellectual and historical background that I didn’t have you read – and partially discussion and debate. These issues are hot so I expect lively discussions. </p>

<p>Extra
For Those students who are up for the challenge, I will be offering an optional reading session of Jeffrey Stout’s Democracy and Tradition. This is a difficult, but rewarding book by a secular commentator on Christian ethics and culture. Sometime near the end of the semester, we will have a session with Stout on his book.

[/quote]
</p>

11

<p>I agree with standrews, it'll be a bit difficult for you to find a school that 1) has great academics, 2) is conservative, and 3) isn't a religious school like BYU/BJU/ND/etc.</p>

12

<p>Vanderbilt is more conservative I think. Active Hillel there as well.</p>

13

<p>if you pick a school in the south, it will more than likely be conservative. trust me, i live in south carolina and i find myself to be one of the few people who tend to fall on the left side of the political spectrum, and basically because of that, every southern school is off my list. its weird how things turn out. i grew up in a religious republican environment, and i can't help but fall to the left side, and i don't hate my parents or anything, i really think they are some of the best parents, i guess its just who i am. but yeah, off of my tangent, basically any southern school. Furman, Wake Forest, WASHINGTON AND LEE (very conservative), Virginia, and a lot of other schools definetely fall on the right. also byu in the west as well as pepperdine, and notre dame in the midwest.</p>

14

<p>Some schools that have not yet been mentioned and merit your consideration are Emory and Tulane. Both have strong Jewish populations and while I would not describe either school as exceptionally conservative, their student bodies are comparatively conservative.</p>

15

<p>What do you think of Brandeis?</p>

<p>Some factoids you might or might not know: it's 50% Jewish so that means 50% not Jewish. (glad I'm remembering my maths).</p>

<p>There is intellectual rigor there. You can explore the Jewish religion in 37 flavors, from egalitarian Conservative to conservative Conservative, plus some unusual opportunities in case you're also Shomer Shabbat; for example: a theater group that only rehearses and peforms on weeknights, in addition to the usual offering of several theater groups that DO rehearse/perform all weekend. Theater is just an example. I'm thinking that, if you are Shomer, you could (at 'Deis) find schedules that let you explore some brand new areas. Theater was an example that is apolitical, offering alliances and friendships outside of politics (wouldn't that be loverly).</p>

<p>I don't share your experience (being of minority opinion in progressive situations) but I do empathize, deeply, with the feelings it must engender.</p>

<p>Lastly, and this thought is very deep, so stay with me here (and I hope you didn't stop reading the moment I wrote the word "brandeis" -- if so, you're too hasty -- listen: part of what you call "standing up for america and capitalism..." might be your Jewish stripes talking. THAT part of you will be well-accepted by a large percentage (50) on the campus. You won't have to defend everything about you, all at once. At least the religious part will be honored and understood. It could help bring some ease of mind and spirit into your life. Then you might not mind disagreeing on the political arena.</p>

<p>You have surely considered Brandeis before, but have you considered it in the way I just presented? Think about it...</p>

<p>There's a broad spectrum of opinion there on Israel, as well, from: idk to idcare to "how could you not care!"...from passionate Zionists to critics of current Israeli government policies. </p>

<p>You want to go to college for a broadening experience, but I can see why you don't want to go to ultra-liberal places. And yet, is running to the nonJewish politically right-wing place really the answer? There they might agree with you...but will they understand and love you there? I wonder. I base this on the observation that one of the first thing you said about YOURSELF was your Jewish identity. So it's obviously important to you, not to be neglected in your quest for "the right fit." </p>

<p>Lots to think about. </p>

<p>You don't have to answer my query here, but please don't flame Brandeis and start a big discussiion on your thread here. I'm sure you want to gather as many ideas as possible.</p>

16

<p>I'm pretty sure the OPs question was only about politics and not about a need for a school with a Jewish community.</p>

<p>Brandeis assuredly fails his desire for a place that's "not too liberal."</p>

17

<p>Brandeis is extremely liberal. That school would be a terrible fit for him.</p>

18

<p>I hear Davidson is more conservative.</p>

19

<p>I've have to disagree with whomever said U of C would be a good place for conservatives. It's in Chicago, which is one of the most liberal cities ever. Chicago is the sole reason that Illinois is Democratic. Of course, I think U of C is good for people who like to debate and argue, which the OP clearly doesn't like [standing up for himself, at least].</p>

20

<p>^^ agreed. UChic is liberal overall, but it has its conservative elements, just as every other university. Again, most top universities are gonna be liberal, overall.</p>