Hello, new member here.

I am currently applying at a private college in Missouri. I have conscious and religious objections to vaccinations, and my parents never had me vaccinated. I submitted a letter to the college stating my reasons for declining vaccinations, along with an Affidavit with my one of my parents' signatures (at the time, I was a minor). The college sent it back. They rejected it on the grounds that they are a private college with "a specific policy regarding immunizations". According to them, the only way I can receive an exemption is if I submit a letter from a doctor stating that I have an allergic reaction to the required immunizations.

My questions are:
a.) Is it really lawful for them to discriminate against my religious convictions because they are a private insitution?
I have searched Missouri laws regarding vaccinations, but the only thing I can find is related to K-12 school. In that case, Missouri does offer an religious exemption form for children. I can't find anything in relation to colleges, though.

b.) If they CAN legally reject my religious exemption claim, how do I go about getting a medical exemption? I was told that the doctor that submits the letter would be held liable, which is probably not very desirable.

I would greatly appreciate any input or assistance!