Choosing a school: LGBTQ Concerns

[regina]

Hi everyone! I have been accepted to several Advanced Standing MSW programs, but right now I'm torn between two: Fordham and NYU.  I like the combined clinical/macro track at Fordham; however as a lesbian woman, I have reservations about attending a traditionally Jesuit school. Anyone have any thoughts (preferably based on your own experience)?

Thanks and good luck to all of you who are applying/waiting for decisions!!

 

[Purplescarves]

I can't speak to doing an msw at a Jesuit school, but I did briefly attend a Jesuit university in New Orleans. Really, it was quite a liberal and accepting place. Catholic dogma never came up during my time there. None of my classes were taught by Jesuits, and even if they had been, my bet is that the academics would not have been inflected with said Catholic dogma. Actually, the fact that it was a Jesuit school was a bonus in my mind, they required more humanities classes than other places, a form of education that I believe is vital to being a well-rounded person. In my experience they really are committed to a liberal education and have a generally accepting spirit. If I remember correctly, the latter values I just described are essentially codified into the Jesuit Order.

 

Having said all of that, if I were in your position, I think contacting someone in their department and airing your concerns, asking questions, is a perfectly ok thing to do. Most people answer honestly when it comes to that stuff, and you'll always be able to pick up on the vibe that they're giving if you speak to them even if they're saying the "right things".

 

+1

 

I responded in the other thread that you posted.

[sherms31]

I would also say that from what I understand from most schools, the grad schools tend to have less of the campus culture than the undergraduate part.

 

I was concerned about this as well- also a lesbian and looking at BC.

[citychild]

Hi everyone! I have been accepted to several Advanced Standing MSW programs, but right now I'm torn between two: Fordham and NYU.  I like the combined clinical/macro track at Fordham; however as a lesbian woman, I have reservations about attending a traditionally Jesuit school. Anyone have any thoughts (preferably based on your own experience)?

Thanks and good luck to all of you who are applying/waiting for decisions!! :

I am a lesbian woman and attended Fordham for 1 year as an undergraduate but left because of cost. Because of my phenomenal experience there, I applied to Loyola Chicago for my advanced standing program. The reason I did not apply to Fordham is because my girlfriend will be coming with me and she's too nervous about the cost of living in NYC. In Chicago, we have a lead on a very affordable housing unit, which helps a lot.

Anyway, back on topic, like I said... I will be attending to Loyola Chicago. I have spoken to students, professors, and multiple individuals at their campus. Everyone has been incredibly open and 2 of my 3 internship leads are at prominent LGBTQ organizations.

I highly respect the humanities, the commitment to community, and the ethics and challenges weaved into each class I attended at Fordham. I highly recommend the school and strongly feel you will not encounter any problems, only acceptance, as a lesbian in the program.

[regina]

Thank you all so much for your comments! Very very helpful. I really appreciate it!