<p>I'm writing a supplemental essay for Miami University's Honors program and the prompt is basically to "advance a position on a controversial issue". My essay is about why I disagree with affirmative action in the college admissions process. Is this too political of a topic? I don't want to come off as a raging Republican to the admissions officers, but the topic is something I feel strongly about. Please tell me your thoughts, and I will PM the first two paragraphs of my essay to anyone willing to read it!</p>
<p>Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-Cherrybomb:<br>
(Sorry - That dates me… I’m an old fan of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie.)</p>
<p>Do people even use the term “affirmative action” any more in describing admission policies. Now everything is “diversity in building a class community.” I won’t argue politics here, but think of building a crew for a passenger ship. Not everyone is chosen by IQ and test scores. You need the porters and band member and singers and servers and pursers and people who speak more than one language. The point is that it <em>is</em> dangerous territory and you might come off as not understanding what schools are trying to do in building a diverse group of people for a freshman class. </p>
<p>However, you <em>were</em> asked to write about a controversial issue, and this is one. So the topic is not off-limits, but be very, very, very careful. Now if you are a URM, you could be bringing a unique perspective to the topic. But if you are a Caucasian from Tulsa or Colorado Springs you might be in trouble (sorry Tulsans and Colorado Springsians 
).</p>
<p>However, if you can approach it with a new perspective (no matter what your background is), it could be a great, even though dangerous, topic.</p>