Should it really be a factor in college living?
It really depends on how passionate you are about your beliefs. But in general, it’s very frustrating. I would absolutely take it as a serious consideration when deciding on a college. I didn’t think it would be that big a deal when I was deciding on a college, and I regret not taking it seriously.
On the other hand, however, I will say that you can find people who have the same beliefs as you pretty much anywhere you go, even if they aren’t the majority. It can also be a great test to have your ideology questioned in a way where you’ll have to be actively critically thinking and defending your position.
Have you ever heard about a religious sect called the Jains? They are extremely committed to non-violence, to the point that they sweep the ground in front of them as they walk to avoid stepping on insects. I can imagine if a Jain went to a school like, say, Auburn, that they might have some trouble fitting it. Anyway, this is just one example. What was it that you had in mind?
That’s a really bad example and can come of as offensive.
I for one would try to avoid it. I agree that it could be extremely frustrating.
Colleges have struggled with free speech issues the last few years. With Gen Z being a little more conservative the incoming class will be more diverse politically at most colleges. It is the “Trump” effect.
I am seeing major pushback against the PC narrative on high school campuses in a swing state.
I’m seeing people becoming more…vociferous…about their political views. You might want to develop a thick skin if you decide on a place out of step with your own views. I think there’s still value in knowing what the “other side” might have on their minds. Forewarned is forearmed, and all that.
@OneWhoTalks : Decades ago, I studied at an LAC populated by upper middle class & upper class Caucasians. There was only one or two black students, same for Asians & Maybe, just maybe a Jewish student or two. There might have been some gay students, but if so it would have been a secret.
The school had a very high Greek system participation.
Although I fit the mold as a straight, white, athletic, upper middle class Catholic, I was just too open minded & too interested in other cultures & beliefs to be comfortable there. As a result, I graduated in three years which included multiple study abroad terms.
In retrospect, I should have attended a large university in order to be able to experience diversity in all of its forms. I didn’t need comfort, I needed growth opportunities.
Publisher … Well said! I was not comfortable sending my son to a liberal LAC. But am now grateful that he was challenged socially, emotionally and politically. The experience reaffirmed his (my!) conservative resolve and proved he could lead those from all walks of life.
It depends on how big the school is. A smaller school with only one ideology represented, and I found several of those on Niche, I think could lead to a feeling of isolation and where you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing your opinions. It would sort of be like you’re in an echo chamber where only one sound (view) reverberates. I would think it would get old hearing the same viewpoints over and over again.
I’ve been looking at Niche a lot to get more details on students and campus life and found some schools where there’s nearly an even mix of Reps, Dems and Indies. What a nice mix of political diversity that would be and a win-win environment for everybody. However, I think as long as there’s some representation of your political group and a decent percentage of moderates and those that “don’t care about politics” that should be fine.
I also look at the percent of students that participate in the Greek system bc, if it’s high, that would be a negative for me as well.
In today’s charged political climate I think it is wise to avoid a college where you don’t fit in with the mainstream. Especially if it is a small college.