I am applying to pretty liberal schools- Univ. of Michigan, Columbia, Yale- and I would like to know whether or not it is a smart idea to put down that I founded my HS’s Republican Club and that I volunteer a lot with Romney’s campaign and my county’s Republican party?
Would it be something that’s frowned upon? Something that’ll affect my admissions process negatively?
PLEASE HELP
Nope, in fact it may help you stand out. Colleges like to admit diverse classes, and that includes in terms of political affiliation.
Agree with last poster especially if you are deeply enmeshed in those activities.
IF these activities provide insight into you and your interests, then be proud of your accomplishments and present that to the admissions office. Your choice of words will instill confidence in the reader that you would be an asset to the student body as a whole.
Being involved in Romney’s campaign is not something to be ashamed of…and I say that as a women who has been a long time political consultant.
I hope this helps.
~APOL-a Mum
Thanks all.
I’m glad I saw this. I work for a Republican Congressman and I had the same worries.
When I was younger I often worried about issues like this … the older version of me believe that if a school denied me because of some of my beliefs/associations than that school probably did me a favor since that school would be a poor fit for me. Do you really want to attend a school that frowns upon conservative viewpoints to the point they reject people for them?
Just make sure you mention how many times you will be voting on November 6 (just kidding).
Sometimes the administration (admissions office) can be different from the rank and file (teachers and students).
I’m guessing that Admissions people are used to keeping an open mind about lots of different things. But this is a very polarized election, and you never know.
It’s fine. If you dig into the activities/clubs at the schools, you are likely to find plenty of conservative organizations. In fact, you should be getting to know your college choices on this sort of deeper level, getting a fuller picture on many topics.
We libs are deliberately open-minded when it comes to these things.
Now if you were a gay person applying to a conservative school…
It’s the equivalent of avoiding putting down Asian on you college app because you think this will prevent you from getting accepted. Even if this is often true, you don’t want to go to an institution that forces you to be someone you are not to get in. So put it down, and I doubt it will dissuade any admissions person unless you write a politically heated essay or something they don’t agree with.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I’m also a proud Republican and politically affiliated with the party at my school. If anything, I think this kind of activity would show you have your own views. Besides, if a school turned you down because of your personal beliefs, would you really want to go there anyway?
I would put it down. College want you to stand for something; I’m not sure they care about what. And who knows, you may get a GOP admissions officer.
I would just make sure your overall application shows you to be a person who is open to new experiences and ideas. You have to get through the first adcom who reads your application. This will be especially important with Michigan, a state school with an unpopular Republican governor who has had a mixed record regarding support of higher education.