<p>z, my point was that just because a politician is exciting does not make him/her the best candidate. I don't think that's condescending at all. Have you forgotten 2004 and Howard Dean? Face it, youths are far more likely be to "inspired" by a fresh, charismatic candidate and disregard actual stance on issues. If you go up to a random Obama supporter and ask them for one piece of legislation he sponsored, I guarantee you 99% of them would be unable to list any.</p>
<p>And yes, Bedhead, I agree with you. That is a common perception of young Republicans, and a not entirely incorrect one. Many are conservative because of their parents. I want to say more about this but I don't want this to derail into a political debate.</p>
<p>Just because college campuses are liberal doesn't mean they won't admit republicans. Of course, they probably prefer democrats but they need republicans too for campus discussions and debates. It's like basketball. You might prefer the Harlem Globetrotters, but in order to see them play, you have to invite the obviously inferior Washington Generals. And even if the republicans win, the liberal campus newspaper will report that the democrats schooled them.</p>
<p>Speaking of diversity and what makes you standout in the ultra competitive admissions... I have an idea that makes you stand out instantly. I am sure HYP have had a fair share of talents and backgrounds. But, I can't imagine they've had that many Budhist nuns or monks. So, if you are one, I am sure you could attract instant attention. What's more, the way I understand it, anyone could be a Budhist monk and one doesn't have to commit for life. I think they only go into priesthood for a couple of years in Thailand, much like our Americorp... ;-)</p>
<p>I mean, I was looking into applying to Brown but then learned that there was SUCH and overwhelming left bias that I wasn't sure I would feel comfortable there as someone who is a republican.</p>
<p>Go for it. McCain is pretty widely liked (whether or not Democrats will tell you that publicly). I mean, it's not like saying you're buddies with Jimmy Carter or still a Bush supporter (if you are, keep it under the rug).</p>
<p>If I may pose a question: I'm currently the president of my Young Democrat's club and am working on getting an internship with my congressman (a democrat); however, I too worked on the McCain campaign when my states' primary came around and plan on doing so again when November starts getting closer. I have my own reasoning for this, but would it be counterintuitive to say that (or just show my awesome bipartisan-ness)?</p>
<p>^Actually, explaining said reasoning sounds like a brilliant essay topic. I think you should definitely bring up both- it makes you seem like someone who can see things from more than one perspective, someone who is more open-minded and interesting. That's something adcoms will really like.</p>
<p>And yes, I am a liberal and...well, not a McCain booster, precisely, but he's my personal favorite among the choices the Republican party had. I seriously doubt any adcom would hold working for him against you...and I'm sure others have said this, but if they do look unfavorably upon volunteering for a Republican, would you really want to go there anyway?</p>
<p>Oh, come on! Who doesn't love Bush? He is going to get his own chapter in our future US History textbooks. I see it now: </p>
<p>The American Pageant
Chapter 42 (Twelfth Edition) - The American People Face a New Century
Chapter 43 (New Edition after Bush's Presidency) - The Best President Ever: George W. Bush</p>
<p>{Excuse me if there is a 13th edition already out or whatever}</p>
<p>If a college rejects someone based solely off political identification, then that college is not worth going to, period.</p>
<p>I am in the same boat as you and have done much campaign work for Obama in the Nevada Caucuses and have served in leadership positions. I regret not participating earlier or mentioning it more on my college applications. Of the colleges that found out, I certainly think it benefited me (although I was careful to be discreet, open-minded, and respectful) and these colleges were no where close to the liberal bastion of the Ivy League.</p>
<p>I'm not sure about bias in the admissions process (I haven't heard of any, but that is just limited by my experiences), however, I am *absolutely positive * that there is an ideological bias in the hiring of professors and the offering of tenure. Both of my parents are PhDs from U Chicago and neither could get a tenured professorship anywhere. So I would definitely be vague in the descriptions of my political activities (I was on my application; I founded a right of center political discussion club at my high school, but gave it the nondescript name The Political Progress Society. ;))</p>
<p>colleges are extremely biased. don't say you're a republican or volunteered for a republican campaign on your app...just be vague about it. you'll learn to cover up conservative beliefs on w/e college campus you end up on...might as well start now.</p>
<p>"Oh, come on! Who doesn't love Bush? He is going to get his own chapter in our future US History textbooks."</p>
<p>Deserving an entire chapter in history books isn't necessarily a positive attribute (The Mongols got a rather lofty part in my AP World text book last year).
Famous and infamous are two completely different adjectives. For fear of being put on a no-fly list like that guy at Yale who spoke out against the Bush administration, I'll let you conclude which of the two our President is, or will be.</p>
<p>"It's funny how the more educated people are, the less likely they are to be republican."</p>
<p>Or it could be that the more educated they are, the less likely they'll admit to being republican. Or perhaps the truly educated realize there's more to political thought than party jingo's and soundbites.</p>
<p>I'd like to point out there's a big difference between Republican and Conservative. I'm a strong conservative yet I would never think of going Republican - Democrat all the way!</p>
<p>It was only a matter of time for this post carried away from a sincere discussion of merit into a left vs. right slander-fest.</p>
<p>We all have are own reasons for our political beliefs and stances and by the virtue of just visiting a website like this we are more than qualified enough to have our opinions.</p>
<p>I think the bias against Republicans is greatly exaggerated and schools want ideological diversity. They have Republicans at Berkeley, I'm sure they have a few liberals at BYU. Schools are not meant to shut people out through a filter like many of you are trying to suggest.</p>
<p>My school's faculty and demographics are overwhelmingly conservative and I don't think my political affiliation or participation has ever served as a hindrance to my development. On many levels, loyalty to one's school or political freedom supersedes silly partisan bickering.</p>