<p>Hi,
I've been reading these forums for a few weeks now, but I haven't found the answer to one question. I come from a conservative/republican family. I participate in the teenage republicans club. My dad says this will hurt me on college applications as most colleges and universities tend to be liberal...but I'm still not sure. He says to just leave it out. What do you guys think? Is this a bad thing to put on college applications? thanks!!</p>
<p>People who have liberal stances aren't scared of people with conservative stances. Most admissions officers are dedicated professionals who are dedicated to advancing their school's mission: to bring together the most vibrant collection of students. Colleges' perceived "liberal" slant doesn't mean that conservative voices are very silent at those campuses.</p>
<p>There's no conspiracy to keep conservatives out of college -- LOL. Be proud of your accomplishments. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>T26E4 (an alum of one of those doggone "liberal" HYP colleges !)</p>
<p>don't lie because you never know what they are looking for. And if the college is a type of institution that denies people solely on the basis of political views, you don't want to go there anyway.</p>
<p>Dont worry about it. The really good and semigood colleges are majority liberal. Theres a correlation between intelligence and liberalism. You would do just fine though to apply to any southern college or christian college.</p>
<p>"You would do just fine though to apply to any southern college or christian college."</p>
<p>Unfortunately...</p>
<p>DEFINITELY NOT something to hide on your app. As T26E4 said, admissions people truly are professionals who won't descriminate against you for your political beliefs.</p>
<p>In fact, if you're thinking about applying to some schools known for being really left-wing, being a conservative Republican might actually help you. I know of at least one person who was going to a very left-wing art school who got noticed and recruited pretty heavily because they saw that he'd add some much needed political diversity to campus.</p>
<p>^ True. Your political views may end up being an asset.</p>
<p>I agree. It can't be said enough times.. yes, adcoms are people with personal biases, but NO, they will not intentionally discriminate against you for your political beliefs.</p>
<p>My ds is heavily involved in conservative politics and the Republican party on the state level and included it on all of his college applications. If he hadn't, he'd have had to leave off some of his coolest ECs. Our feeling was, if they wouldn't even accept someone with known conservative views, how open-minded a place could it be anyway? Didn't need that justification, though, he was not only accepted, but offered big scholarships at a bunch of tier one and a couple of top ten and twenty colleges, so I don't think it hurt him at all. :-) He also has conservative activist acquaintances at or graduated from most top ten schools. Don't let it worry you at all!</p>
<p>Remember that colleges love diversity. Regardless of how it comes, your opinions may spur some interesting discussion wherever you go, especially if it has openminded students (which any college student should be). I think that this is an important part of who you are and colleges should seize the opportunity to mix up their class dynamics.</p>
<p>Also, "Theres a correlation between intelligence and liberalism."
I found it pretty funny, but I'm surprised nobody has been offended yet.</p>
<p>It's because most of CC is liberal.</p>
<p>darthk, could you post a link? I've heard that before too but I don't know if it's true.</p>
<p>^^^Offended? A statement that ridiculous is not worth getting offended about.</p>
<p>The answer to your question: apply to the University of Virginia.</p>
<p>as for the link i couldn't find anything, but i did find this [the first post]:
[url=<a href="http://www.jumptheshark.com/topic/Politically-Incorrect-Maher/Politically-Incorrect-Maher-General-Comments/1570&start=60%5DPolitically">http://www.jumptheshark.com/topic/Politically-Incorrect-Maher/Politically-Incorrect-Maher-General-Comments/1570&start=60]Politically</a> Incorrect with Bill Maher in Jump The Shark<a href="this%20leads%20me%20to%20believe%20Bill%20Maher%20may%20have%20said%20it">/url</a></p>
<p>Interesting how it's a rant about how conservatives are just as intelligent as liberals... and that it is loaded with typos.</p>
<p>Where the heck was the fill in your political views blank on the common application? Didn't see that.</p>
<p>But really, are you planning on starting your essay with :YO COLLEGE! I'M CONSERVATIVE!!!!!</p>
<p>ha ha, but about being president of the young republicans club, I'm sure adcoms will be impressed by your leadership position, as much as they would be with the president of the young democrats club.</p>
<p>I really don't think it matters. That would be extremley silly if they based your admission decision on whether you lean to the right or left.</p>
<p>As others have said, be proud of your political participation, don't worry about blatant discrimination.</p>
<p>If I recall correctly, Hillary Clinton entered college as a Young Republican. I doubt adcoms take kids political activites very seriously either way.</p>
<p>This reminds me of a funny incident when DH and DS visited SMU last year. It was mentioned that they were in the running to house the George W. Bush Presidential Library. One prospective student raised his hand and asked something to the effect of, "Are you prepared for the uproar/backlash if you are chosen?" Now there was a college visit trip wasted!</p>