VSCEagle

I recently applied to CSOM for the fall of 2012. I just visited the campus this week and was very impressed. Although I was tentative about BC because of its religious affiliation, the visit assured me that this isn't a major issue. I do have a few questions however, and would appreciate anyone's opinion.
1) About the Observer. It directly states its conservative leanings (I'm a pretty strong liberal). Does its views reflect the views of the students and the school as a whole or just a select few?
2) Being agnostic (not atheist) would others be willing to accept my views as I would there's, or would I feel a pressure to conform? Would I feel like an outsider if I don't?
3) On other posts people said that new ideas die at BC, I didn't think this is true but how accepting is BC of challenging tradition.
4) The only fear I have of attending a religious university is dogma and in some cases, ignorance. Because BC is a school of such caliber I do not expect these to be present. Am I correct? The Jesuits seem more focused on education than doctrine.
Thanks so much for any help. BC looks like a great school and I hope to be accepted.

SaintSaens

I'll answer these succinctly:
1. You'll find people of various political opinions here. If liberal student news is more your fancy, you're free to read The Gavel.
2. You won't have a problem.
3. I don't think I can properly answer this question without really knowing to what you're referring.
4. The Jesuits are not around to indoctrinate you at every chance. I wouldn't be too concerned.

VSCEagle

Thanks a lot for the response. For the third question I was referring in part to something that happened at Notre Dame when the admin. refused to support a "free thinkers" club, and this: "My biggest problem with BC is the lack of diversity of ideas. This place is where ideas come to die. If your looking for a wide range of opinions and viewpoints, look elsewhere." from <http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/boston-college/488210-can-atheist-enjoy-bc.html>. Thanks.

LilEKay

I went to a class with one of my friends when visiting, and I was really impressed. An atheist, I presume, made a little quip about how moral lines are as imaginary as God. The teacher, who had mentioned the strength of religious presence in his life, and the student then had a pleasant debate/conversation in which they agreed to disagree. The teacher then opened the conversation up to the entire class, and I was surprised to see the range of religious beliefs in that one room.

This may not answer any specific question, but I was truly impressed by the acceptance I found in that class. Obviously, not every teacher may be as open, but I was really impressed!

VSCEagle

Really insightful LileKay. I was hoping that that is how BC would use religion, as a topic of discussion not as a boundary.

scottj

Dear VSCEagle : You wrote the following.

The Jesuit educational tradition is about scholarly challenges to the established views. Now, it is insufficient to challenge ideas by simply stating your view; instead, Boston College's liberal arts core presses students to strongly support their perspectives with a structured, well constructed, and substantiated argument. Those who are not able to provide the proper backing (references) for their ideas will walk away saying that their new ideas "died" at BC. This might seem a satisfying explanation to some, but I can assure you that it is not the case.