<p>If a college really rejects you on the basis of which political party you choose to align yourself with...</p>
<p>Well, would you really want to attend such a college anymore?</p>
<p>Political debate is a healthy thing on college campuses, and I would hope admissions officers wouldn't make a decision because of this.</p>
<p>I think it will help you more than hurt you if you are a leader in this. It would seem too odd not to identify what party or candidate you were working for, so I wouldn't recommend that course.
Because the admission process is so subjective, anything could hurt you or help you based on the personal preferences of the adcom who is reading your application. You really can't worry about that too much, except you might think twice about listing groups that are extremely controversial (i.e., Young Communists, John Birch Society, etc.).</p>
<p>My daughter is volunteering for Mccain also on a small level. I will absolutely not allow her to mention that anywhere on her applications.</p>
<p>In my experience, Admissions officers are quite professional and I don't think the vast majority of them would allow their own political preferences to affect an admissions decision, any more than they would be affected by their religious or sexual preferences. Obviously, there always can be an outlier or two, but I wouldn't get paranoid about accurately describing your activities. </p>
<p>Faculty--well that's a different story. While most people would agree that a student's political views should not impact a grade or recommendation, the reality is that many professors (albeit a minority) will in fact penalize a student who is outspoken or politically active in a cause they disagree with. They'll never admit it though.</p>
<p>I would say that it would be an interesting and eccentric EC. I doubt you will be able to find many college kids who support 100 year wars and gas prices that can be modeled by "lim n -> ∞". Although the Obama and the Clinton camp is no better. Nonetheless, any political activism is great! Our country's youth is too apathetic about the future of our great nation. Thanks for taking a stand!</p>
<p>(I would try some political activism myself, but I can't get very enthused about McCain, Obama, or Clinton...)</p>
<p>We were concerned about this, too, but finally decided that since ds was active on a pretty visible level with the Republicans that we would either have to leave off some of his coolest ECs or else sound incredibly lame trying to, uh, um, generalize it. </p>
<p>Also thought, you know, if the college were really that hostile to conservatives, wouldn't it be good to know that in the beginning? :-)</p>
<p>Result: ds was accepted at one (with an awesome fin aid package) and rejected at two top 10 national universities; accepted with full ride plus at a top 20 LAC and accepted with major scholarships at his other schools. I don't think it hurt a bit.</p>
<p>It might depends on where you apply. If you apply to Ivies you might get some leverage but if you apply to Stanford/Berkeley you might get the short edge.</p>
<p>I think it will hurt you if you say you're working for McCain </p>
<p>After all, colleges do only want to admit INTELLIGENT people :]</p>
<p>Seriously, it's JOHN MCCAIN, not Rush Limbaugh. I don't think mentioning that you've volunteered for him is going to hurt your application, even if a very liberal person is judging it.</p>
<p>You might be worse off volunteering for Obama if you're being judged by a Clinton fan, and vice-versa ;)</p>
<p>I'm a major part of Obama's campaign, serving as the head of the campaign in one of the states in the US. I'm not putting it on my application - it's too touchy a subject. What I get out of my work in the campaign is the connections, not the college apps stuff.</p>
<p>"I'm a major part of Obama's campaign, serving as the head of the campaign in one of the states in the US. I'm not putting it on my application - it's too touchy a subject."</p>
<p>I think you're making a mistake with this...I find it hard to imagine anybody, even a McCain fan, not being impressed by this.</p>
<p>Seriously.</p>
<p>I find it silly that so many of you plan to censor your political activity for fear that admissions officers would be that petty.</p>
<p>I invented Huckabee, but sadly I didn't tell anyone.</p>
<p>But seriously, colleges are almost always liberal anyway, so there isn't any reason to hide involvement in Obama's campaign.</p>
<p>I would actually think putting McCain there would be a plus, given how most of the easily shepherded college youth are pro-Obama. You would stand out.</p>
<p>True. Especially cynical adcoms would probably a change of pace from the Brotherhood of Saint Barack to be a breath of fresh air.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm a major part of Obama's campaign, serving as the head of the campaign in one of the states in the US. I'm not putting it on my application - it's too touchy a subject. What I get out of my work in the campaign is the connections, not the college apps stuff.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'd put this on for sure. And for McCain supporters, I'd put it on especially if it's major work. I think some involvement in the political process of any stripe adds to your picture in a good way.</p>
<p>The notion above that this would be different at Stanford or Berkeley regarding McCain is, I think, absurd.</p>
<p>
[quote]
most of the easily shepherded college youth are pro-Obama
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You mean as opposed to the McCain volunteers who only work for him because Mommy and Daddy like him? I think this is an interpretation open across the board; the more significant the involvement the more legit or independent it looks, McCain or Obama. I know that the Republicans are disenchanted with their candidate and hate the fact that the Dems have a leader who inspires.</p>
<p>Exactly.</p>
<p>The excitement that Obama's campaign has generated among the younger generation is not merely a result of "easily shepharded college youth." That's just a condescending generalization.</p>
<p>And I still don't think anyone should be afraid to describe political volunteer work on an application, regardless of the political party. Similarly, there are surely a few homophobic admissions officers out there, but openly gay applicants (who mention so in essays or extracurriculars) are still accepted at competitive schools.</p>
<p>Brotherhood of Saint Barack that's excellent...and definitely put the McCain thing on...its a very impressive EC.</p>
<p>your going to get rejected !</p>
<p>I am sure you can get a full ride at Oral Roberts or Liberty. HAHAHAHA</p>