Is writing about my conversion to Atheism too risky?

College Essays
1

<p>I want to transfer to WashU, and for my essay I was thinking about writing about my conversion to Atheism from an extreme form of fundamentalism. It has definitely changed my life and opinions more than anything else. Do you think that this topic might hurt my chances? It’s probably the most interesting thing I could write about, but I’m not sure how it would look in the hands of a possibly religious admissions agent.</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Also, on the common app, can I write about anything, or do I have to choose one of their prompts?</p>

3

<p>Those 5 new essay prompts on The Common Application are for Freshman Applications. For Transfer Applications, the Common Application essay, which I don’t think will change this year, asks why you want to transfer:
<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2012/2012-13TR-FinalHighlighedPreview.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2012/2012-13TR-FinalHighlighedPreview.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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4

<p>Looks like you don’t even need to write about it… but if that changes for some reason, i’d say it is too risky for my taste, but if you can compose an unusually compelling essay I would say go for it. Just make sure you include some disclaimer about how you still respect everyone else’s beliefs and aren’t judging their views, etc.</p>

5

<p>(I don’t want to get in trouble for discussing religion, but here’s some nitpicking: atheism is the lack of a certain belief, so I don’t think “convert to atheism” is the right phrase to use.)</p>

6

<p>Your idea of converting from an extreme fundamentalism to atheism I guess would fit under the first prompt–describing a background story of yours you deem so important that your application would be incomplete without it. This is definitely a very risky topic–but i guess it just comes to how you portray it. Just make sure you don’t come off as judgmental or anything. Make sure it highlights how you’ve GROWN POSITIVELY in different aspects of your life. Considering the admissions officers aren’t biased, your essay could be very unique IF well written-- it would certainly bring diversity to the campus.</p>