<p>This is aimed primarily at current Georgetown students, but applicants from this year are welcome to answer as well: how welcoming is Georgetown to non-Catholic students? I’m a current junior hoping to apply to SFS next year, and although I was raised Catholic, I’ve broken pretty definitively with the Church and now identify as an atheist.
This definitely isn’t to say that I’m intolerant of Catholics or that I dislike Catholic theology; I’m part of a predominantly Catholic family and would have absolutely no trouble living in a college environment that emphasizes Catholicism. However, before I apply, I want to be sure that non-Catholic students feel welcomed and accepted, and that Georgetown’s climate is one of openness and diversity. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Also, I know that this doesn’t have much to do with Catholicism per se, but is the political climate at Georgetown generally liberal or conservative?</p>
<p>The easy answer- Catholic Universities are well known to be tolerent of all religions and aetheism.</p>
<p>The hard question-If you don’t believe in God and the belief system of the university is based on the belief of God, then aren’t you being a bit duplicitous by accepting the education?</p>
<p>I’m a non-Catholic (agnostic) and I’ve never felt ostracized by it. The biggest problem is organizing your social life around the fact that your friends might want to go to Thursday night.</p>
<p>I did gain a lot of respect for Catholicism and religion in general and the theology classes were super interesting.</p>
<p>John Carroll founded Georgetown University on the principles of religious pluralism so that “every class of citizens” and students of “every religious profession” could be educated. I am not a student, but I am a Georgetown parent for whom the principles of diversity, including religious diversity, are important to the point of being non-negotiable in the college decision-making process. My son is a Georgetown freshman who has had a great and enriching year due largely to the incredible diversity of the Georgetown campus. During the New Student Convocation for the Class of 2016, it was not a Catholic priest who bestowed a blessing on the incoming class, but a rabbi. About one hundred and thirty countries are represented on the campus. I presume there are few other places where people from so many different countries come together and live in peace and tolerance. Your religious beliefs, or your choice not to believe, will not prevent you from becoming a part of that community.</p>
<p>sosomenza, in creating this thread, I was seeking student opinions on the real-life climate of tolerance at Georgetown, not mere reputation. I’m well aware that most (if not all) institutions of higher learning strive to be accepting of all students and faith traditions. I’m curious not about Georgetown’s intentions or reputation, but in their actual level of success in creating a tolerant campus environment.</p>
<p>And I wouldn’t necessarily characterize my situation as duplicitous. I’ve stated that I’m completely comfortable living in a predominantly Catholic environment where Catholic teaching is emphasized. I’m applying to Georgetown because I believe that the exceptional international relations curriculum offered at SFS suits my academic and professional ambitions, because I’ve heard great things about the school itself, and because I’ve visited campus and enjoyed my experience. I believe that Georgetown is a wonderful school, and I understand and respect the fact that it is a Jesuit institution. My only concern is that I, as a prospective non-Catholic student, will not feel fully welcomed into campus life. Evidently, you believe this concern is unfounded. Thank you for your feedback!</p>