Am I allowed to talk about this in the essay?

For the Common app question “Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?” I want to talk about how i organized a school-wide walkout that honored the lives of the students killed at the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and raise awareness for gun control. Is this too political to talk about?

I think this would make a fine essay.

I think it is risky. You’d need to explain why it challenged your belief and what you did to ‘organize’ it.

It might be fine at some schools (the social warrior schools) but I don’t think it would be well received at more conservative schools.

I agree it can be fine. But the point isn’t just that you did it, but how it changed you, grew you, led you to take on more, other actions that show concern(s) for others.

I always recommend that you start an outline or draft of the essay and see how it goes. The focus should be not on the politics of gun control but on you (ex. your desire to act, concern for the greater good, growth/development/what you learned as a result of doing this etc.). A good essay should: 1) give admissions officers some insight into you and 2) make them believe that you would be a desirable person to have on campus.

Ehhh. Not too political, but I have a few questions. What ideas or beliefs were you challenging? Beliefs you previously held, or beliefs you currently hold? Beliefs held by your peers? Beliefs held by teachers or administrators? Beliefs held by your parents? Or, just beliefs held by some people.

I know many schools supported walk-outs. If that was the case here, probably not a great topic. Unless you experienced some real, genuinely-felt internal struggle, I probably wouldn’t use this.

I don’t think it’s too political but every single school in the country had a few (or many) kids who participated in this. Because it was so common, I don’t think it makes your essay topic compelling or interesting. Just another day in the life of a teenager.

Hardly anyone has done something that compelling, interesting or unique. I think it’s fine to write about, but remember it needs to show something about you. How did you grow from the experience? Will you continue to be an activist?