Well I started my common app essay. Its actually the worst essay I’ve ever written, but having a draft is a start? right? ugh.
@sewin2music Awe, if we go to the same college, let’s be friends. Also my procrastination has taken the form of playing Smallworlds.
@snowfairy137 you’re ahead of the game already. I haven’t even looked at the prompts.
Guys so I have a question about college essays. So as some of you might already know I am very passionate about politics, especially conservatism. Awhile ago in the thread I talked about how I created my school’s first teenage republicans club. Anyways I was recently elected vice chairman of the teenage republicans for my entire state. So I’ve been thrown into a completely new world of political involvement. I’ve been able to meet with politicians around the state, helped to create new chapters in my state, host different political awareness events around the state, etc.
Anyways these past few months have really emboldened my passion for politics as a Republican. So my question is would it be risky to talk about my passion for conservatism as being a black Republican political activist in my college essay for Harvard EA? Specifically, I really wanted to talk about how many colleges have become liberal hives and how I hope to bring a new perspective and maybe change a few minds. I was going to talk about the controversy surrounding UC Berkeley and other schools who have thrown away freedom of speech in order to please the liberal populace at their schools. Maybe even talk about how being African American is a huge reason I am republican. I don’t know…I was just scared that with Harvard being dominantly liberal they may see me as a potential trouble maker rather than a person who just wants to shed a little light on the other side of the political spectrum.
@Tobster18 So the big problem that I’ve found with politics in general is that it’s become a demonizing of either side. There’s been this attitude of trying to convince the other side that they are wrong, and if they don’t agree with you, using terminology like “libtard” and “deplorable.” If you can frame this in a way that is about constructively working together to make better solutions, then I think it can work. I think it’s more of framing issues in a way where you’re trying to convince the other side that you’re more right, rather than trying to convince them that they are blatantly wrong. Taking this attitude will make you more relatable to either side really.
Also, I think that a lot of conservatives sort of overestimate how liberal colleges are based on the availability heuristic (it’s super liberal because that’s what I see in the news!). At Harvard, there are hundreds of future Mitt Romneys and Jared Kushners going to school there. It’s not as super liberal as you might think. What I’ve heard is that it’s sort of split between super liberals and super conservatives. Same thing with places like Claremont McKenna and Middlebury, both of which have had controversial incidents within the past few years, yet aren’t as liberal as you may expect.
To me, I think this is a very touchy topic because it relies on thorough research rather than sensationalized depictions of the schools you cite. If you can make it more about making connections and sharing your perspective that way, I think admission officers would be more open to it. My advice would be to have a liberal read it. If they don’t find an issue with it, then I’d say it’s safe. Although you may not intend on it, you need to pay attention to the the tone of your essay. Don’t use terms like “liberal hives.” It will make you seem like you’d be more belligerent regarding your views, because it evokes an image of storming in and rather than finding the advantages of your environment, you’re trying to change it to fit you more. That’s something that’s important to keep in mind. You’re not going to dramatically change the culture of the school. Instead, you need to use it as a platform to advance your goals.
I’d be glad to read your essay by the way. I’m a moderate liberal raised in a home of moderate conservatives, so I’d like to think that I’m adept at respectfully disagreeing. I can definitely see the connections that both sides can make, and am critical of both sides’ methods in doing that, and that may be something critical to consider in your essay.
@Tobster18
I think that is a great idea, especially since it something that you are passionate about. It does definitely give a unique perspective bc you are a really conservative African American. Just DO NOT try to force your views on the reader.
My common app essay is also risky, but I am writing about something on the opposite side of the spectrum compared to you. I too am an African American interested in politics, but I am severly liberal.
@oPhilippos @aspiringgirl Thanks for the advice. I will definitely try and refrain from having an aggressive or imposing tone. I will try and get a few of my more liberal teachers to read it once I’m done. But I’m still deciding between a few other essay options.
Is anyone here concerned about choosing your major?
@fongbs21 I am because I’m interested in so many things. I really like applied math, statistics, biology, physics, economics, political science, and Hebrew! These all sorta relate so I’ll most likely take classes for all of them while in college even if they don’t become my major!
@DaEmmJay23 is there anything you are doing to try narrowing it down to something more specific? It seems like you have a lot of things you could pursue… how do you feel about that?
@fongbs21 I’m conflicted if I want to major in education, marketing or sociology. I will most likely major in two of these areas but I’m not sure which two.
@Iridescentgaze Would there be any benefit in majoring in Education and Marketing compared to just education career wise?
@fongbs21 I’m taking a few AP classes this year related to those to see what I really like. I’m leaning towards applied math with concentrations in either biology or physics.
@kassh4 Education and marketing would not be an option, I was thinking more of education and sociology or sociology and marketing. It depends solely on what school I attend but I’m leaning more towards sociology and marketing. If I still have the desire to teach after graduation I’ll just study to get my masters while I’m working.
Majoring in Education and Marketing would just benefit me in the fact that I’m elegible to teach business courses(there’s a surplus amount of social studies teachers) and if I lose the passion to teach(as many teachers do) I always have the knowledge and degree to pursue a career in marketing.
Also because I got accepted into my school’s internship program, I’ll most likely work with elementary school teachers or high school teachers in my school as a TA, so that may solidify my desire to teach.
Hey guys, I’m applying to UTC STEM Scholars, and one of the essay 'rompts is something that happened that fits some statements. The ones I’m looking at are ‘Invincible’ and ‘They Were So Surprised’.
I’m thinking of going the way lf describing a failure, instead of a success. What do you guys think?
EDIT: just noticed some errors. Typing fast.
@madison2000 So basically when you make an account on tumblr, you have created a main blog, where you can follow other people’s blogs and reblog (post their posts onto your blog) and like other people’s posts. You can make a sideblog off of your main blog, but you can’t follow people on it, and you can’t like posts using that blog, only the main blog. I created a sideblog dedicated to the studyblr community, and basically it keeps me accountable because I feel that if I don’t make an original post
Hey Guys! I’m currently starting my Questbridge app and since all my info from College Prep is still there, it’s easier to apply.
@ak2018 All the EFC requirements have made me re-question QB. I feel like it doesn’t really benefit me that much, and it’s not worth the long application. idk tho ill prob change my mind.
College App Status: I’m planning on having my college list pretty much finalized by next week. I’m planning on doing a lot of research between now and then and hopefully bring it down to no more than 8-10 schools. From what I know now, I’m definitely taking UVA off my list and will keep CMU because getting into SAMS has increased my chances (as told to me by an admissions officer). I’ve started applying to some scholarships and am working with my Matriculate advisor on essay writing. I’m going to try and apply to some fly-ins too.
Also, here’s a link to the Gates Scholarship: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship