Ok I know this might sound stupid but if I write about my beliefs in socialism and/or communism in my essay, will that negatively affect my application since US is capitalist and all colleges are ultimately trying to make their students contribute their “national values”?
I’m not sure I accept your premise.
US is a capitalist country, therefore will not like the left wings much. And American colleges try to promote their “national values” (which capitalism is definitely a part of). So if in my essay I say that I support left wing, is that gonna negatively impact my application?
I assume that you are international. You seem to know nothing about America, or American colleges. Or perhaps you are just bored today.
Your beliefs will not. In fact, many (if not most) American colleges lean left. However, I don’t think it’s a good idea to make your belief in socialism/communism the focus of your essay. Mentioning it in passing, or as part of an extracurricular, would be fine.
Oh, dear. Do you have the faintest idea what the colleges look for? Or just what you “think?”
Won’t get far by assuming. If you’re aiming high, they won’t like the superficial thinking.
Adcoms aren’t looking for a treatise. You won’t be the only left winger (how could you not know that? In fact, this is even more ridiculous because most think the universities lean liberal.)
The colleges (not counting the very right, religious sorts, ) don’t care about how left you think you are or your views on capitalism. Try to learn what they do value.
If this is a serious thread.
…Don’t do it!
Just don’t!
Do you know what’s at stake?
Don’t!!!
Yeah I shouldn’t be procrastinating this much…
Oh that’s funny. US colleges being against socialism or promoting capitalism…funny.
You may not want to mention your belief in communism if you’re applying to a private university.
Uh…I was at loss for good ten seconds when I read your post.
I think you don’t even have the faintest idea about US politics and culture. How do you define “left wing”??
It might negatively affect your application if you write it in a way that blatantly disregards the failures, shortcomings, and pain that socialism/communism has caused because it can show ignorance.
Otherwise, American colleges are for the most part left leaning
@EqualityForAll Are you an international student?
If that’s the case, I can totally understand this. Many people I speak to who are not from here are shocked to hear about how left leaning my area is (let alone college campuses). Especially since the election, the news paints a very different picture for them.
@soontobecolleger Yeah I’m international. In Canada almost everyone is very generous in basically anything you say, but I heard about some difference in the US. My teachers always told us that Canada is fairly politically neutral, while putting US as a typical example of capitalism. But it looks like it’s not, thanks for your comment!
I think every country considers themselves “politically neutral” lol. In the US, Canada is more of an example of socialism (with their health care and other nice things). Personally, I don’t quite understand how Trump supporters exist and have met very few in real life, but that’s probably because of my age, location, personal views, etc.
OP: I understand your point.
I just disagree with it.
They’re not the same thing.
As a Canadian with full, easy access to the American media you should know more about the US.
I hope you’re all intricately familiar with Canadian politics and how they relate to higher education there. We have full and easy access to their media, of course.
^ Yes. “…but I heard about some difference in the US.” Good idea to try to learn more on your own.
I actually think it might be difficult for you to make an essay like that unique because those ideas are held by so many young people here (myself not included,) especially those applying to colleges. How will you make yourself stand out from the majority of kids who all say everyone should be equal? How will it show the AOs something special about you personally?