<p>I'm here at Harvard SSP, and they recently had a college fair. It seems that the top ranked schools all had a similar message when it came to their admissions philosophy, and that was that they try to put together "the most unique blend of students available". And, as we all know, they tell us not to load up on ECs just to look good on paper, but to be involved in a few things you really like.</p>
<p>Well, when I was evaluating my own ECs, it seems that I do a lot for the thing I really like, and that's Islam. For example, I'm the VP of our high school's Muslim Students Association, I take classes throughout the year to earn a degree in Islamic studies from the Al Maghrib Institute, I'm helping organize an orphan sponsorship drive with a charity called Islamic Relief, etc. I do these things because I like them, and I never really thought about putting that on an admissions application. But now that I think about it, those activities reflect a large part of who I am and what I like to do.</p>
<p>But my question is, could all this religious association be a bad thing when it comes to applying for college? I mean, let's face it, today many people feel uncomfortable and cautious around Islam and Muslims in general, and it's not that I am blaming them (I blame those who propogate these false Islamic ideals, but that's another issue), that's just how it is. What do you all think?</p>