Atheist at a christian college? (Indianapolis, Franklin: chapel, schools, university) - (IN) - City-Data Forum

Skooby · 09-29-2011, 02:36 PM

So...i'm going back to school to get my MBA...and the school I'm choosing (Indiana Wesleyan in North Indianapolis) fits most of my criteria...in it's within my price range.

The issue...i'm an atheist and Indiana Wesleyan is a christian school.

Does this make me a hypocrite or a walking contradiction?

What do you all think about Indiana Wesleyan as a school?

MissNM · 09-29-2011, 02:41 PM

It is an evangelical school, so you will probably feel a bit out of place. You may have to attend convocations and chapel programs as part of requirements. It won't kill you - but you will be board to tears.

However, many Christian schools have excellent programs. If it gets you where you want to go - go for it.

Skooby · 09-29-2011, 03:24 PM

I just called them. Apparently they have a devotional (what is this exactly?) and prayer requests. They also give you an application bible.

I'm an older student...and one requirement for me is I do not want to take the GMAT. I've never done well on standardized tests so i'm not even going to begin to take it. But it seems just about every school requires it for the MBA program.

However, I don't want to go to a for-profit school like Devry either.

There is a school here named Franklin University of Ohio. Never heard of it though...but I don't know of any other options.

grmasterb · 09-30-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skooby

I just called them. Apparently they have a devotional (what is this exactly?) and prayer requests. They also give you an application bible.

I'm an older student...and one requirement for me is I do not want to take the GMAT. I've never done well on standardized tests so i'm not even going to begin to take it. But it seems just about every school requires it for the MBA program.

However, I don't want to go to a for-profit school like Devry either.

There is a school here named Franklin University of Ohio. Never heard of it though...but I don't know of any other options.

Why not take the GMAT and see how you do? You might surprise yourself.

domergurl · 09-30-2011, 10:39 AM

no kidding ... how does the $$ compare to IU or Purdue?

chalcedony · 10-02-2011, 04:53 AM

Wow, you're a braver soul than I.

I can manage large doses of being in an environment that is religiously/politically opposite from me, but not something where I'm that heavily invested (even if you're getting a good deal or lots of financial aid). It sounds to me like it could be a rougher go than simply going to a mainline school where a lot--but not all--the students belong to that faith/denomination. Notre Dame you'd probably be fine and find a small group of your own; Indiana Wesleyan I'd have my doubts. You may find yourself feeling even more alienated than you would if your age difference really is that great. Besides, I would assume one good perk to business school is the networks you'd build with classmates for life after the diploma. It might be hard to do if you have such a fundamental difference in thinking from everyone else. And at a scI agree with Domergurl and grmasterb: look at other state schools and their cost, and see how you do on that GMAT just in case. You'd hate to shell out both money and 2+ years of your life for a persistently alienating and potentially less fruitful experience.

WDCJoe · 10-03-2011, 11:35 AM

You guys should keep in mind however that the op is speaking of a Methodist school. Even self prescribed Methodists span many ideological groupings. An anecdote of this is that both Bill Clinton and George W are both practicing United Methodists. There is even a segment of the UM church that espouses that God is female in the New England region. As an atheist the most difficult part of going to Wesleyan would be the devotionals, however keep in mind with all of the differing sentiments within the church nothing would be force fed to you.