<p>I never thought much about my children's EC's before, if they liked them, were passionate about one, (or at least stuck with it) fine. Recently, one of my daughters wanted to help out at Birthright, sorting clothes, collecting things, etc., something she decided on her own after reading about it. I was surprised (naive?) when a few friends said she shouldn't put things like that down, it's like Republican or Democrat, etc. you never know what the reader will think. It's a perfect world that says everyone is unbiased but should she hide something because a pro-planned parenthood admission officier might hold it against her? I think that's bringing this whole process way too far, it's like writing a play and hoping they like it. (my mood could be better, sorry if I sound tired)</p>
<p>My best friend also told me that her son while in school (NorthEastern)got a lower grade on a paper because the professor disagreed with his postion but he wrote it well. (She was passionately pro-choice and he wasn't )He greived it and got it changed because she was open about it , but again, when do you play the game and when do you be yourself?</p>
<p>I don't think your daughter should omit her volunteer work for fear of rubbing an admissions officer the wrong way. Many colleges want diversity on campus, which means ideological diversity as well as ethnic, geographic, economic, etc. And college admissions people like to see who the applicant really is, so applicants should never engineer their application so that it looks like what they think the adcoms want to see. They should just be themselves. If "controversial" activities (excluding crime, for instance :p) are part of who the applicant is and reflects a significant commitment on her part, then that is perfectly acceptable to include in the application. </p>
<p>On the other hand, she probably wouldn't want to apply to colleges that have strong reputations for ideologies that oppose her beliefs. The adcoms might wonder what a person like her is doing applying to the school, and if she got accepted and went there, she might not be happy being surrounded by people who don't share her beliefs.</p>
<p>Yes, I could see that a Catholic college might see certain activities, youth groups, etc. in a different light, but you would hope that a college like Brown, would also see that as part of the diversity of the campus.
I think the people advising me were thinking if 2 appls were close, the "human" part of the person might decide to give it to someone that was a Republican like him/her.....but then again, that could work in your favor too!
I just thought it was a case of overthinking, but who knows?</p>
<p>So...not that I'm doing or planning on doing anything like this...</p>
<p>But...hypothetically...let's say someone is to start a club that openly calls the current system (and the major parties) stupid and advocates a grassroots overthrowing of political parties in every country and some think it borders on anarchy but has the support of a decent of the student body and the sponsor is a well known Social Studies Teacher, not to mention a prominent figure in SGA, would this be controversial?</p>
<p>medha--Yes, that would be controversial. Anything political is controversial. In fact, anything religious is at some level controversial, in that there are people who vocally oppose whatever religious practice or belief it is. Just because something is widely supported in a community doesn't mean it's non-controversial. </p>
<p>Are you asking if it would be harmful to list it on an application? I don't think so, but then, it depends on what college the application is sent to.</p>
<p>Like others, I second Anniushka.<br>
Really, diversity of ideas should be much more valuable and valued on a college campus than skin color, economics, etc. That said, I think much more important that whether an applicant would add to diversity on campus is how the applicant presents herself and her activities. If the objective of diversity is to promote discourse, thoughtful and articulate is better than knee-jerk and strident.<br>
I wonder how much adcom assume from an applicant's activities and associations. I believe and hope they rely more on what is in the application, unless it simply doesn't add up.</p>