<p>I am from the working class in my country. At 14, I worked with the worker Union . My main focus was human exploitation in sweatshops. I am not into politics at all, I just did it because my family suffered since my mother who worked in a sweatshop never gets paid for over hours. She also miss important events in our lives because at the last mns her boss will make her stay to do extra work. In my college application, I would like to mention that I used to distribute news paper and set up conference and workshop with the UNION but its name in English is the Orgnaisation of the communist workers. Will the school look down at me because I once work as a volunteer with the Union? I know that I can do it, but what I am asking is what would an American college will think when they see that one of their applicants were member of a "communist organization"</p>
<p>In my language there's no communist in the organisation's name. That's what confused me. Even it had it, at 14 I didn't know America's perception of communist. I am currently attending a US college( I am 20 now) PLease give me your advice.</p>
<p>Nobody will care that at age 14 you volunteered with a union. You state that you are now 20 and attending a U.S. college, so why would you be writing about your volunteer activities at age 14 in a college application?</p>
<p>that was 6 years ago when you were still a kid…and even then, who cares? This is America, and although there are lots Joe McCathy’s out there, that still doesn’t change the First Amendment. Beside, its not like you really are a communist.</p>
<p>Don’t worry; my Grandfather was a footsoldier for CPUSA (Communist Party of the United States of America) and still had a high level civil service job in the Departement of Labor and he was never bothered at all (and this was the 50s) </p>
<p>I actually think it could give you an edge. It makes you very interesting - I would write all about it in an essay. The goal for any essay should be to make the person reading it want to meet you. I know I already would love to meet you and discuss your experiences - in fact it would also make a great book. The vast majority of schools here are very liberal. Communism is becoming almost exotic in certain circles. Don’t be afraid to put it in.</p>
<p>I would not sweat about it. Former communist party members from foreign countries are legally allowed to obtain permanent residency and citizenship in the US if they have not recieved any special privileges from their membership. You are only applying to college. You are free to call this organization any way you want on your college application, they would not even know. Just make sure you are absolutely honest with the immigration officials here when you apply for your student visa (if you are asked any questions about former associations with the communists).</p>
<p>Look, if Yale would take a “former” Taliban spokeperson, I’m sure a former Commie here and there wouldn’t hurt. Some of my professors are former Commie (or at least Marxist). Now if you had joined the National Socialist German Workers Party on the other hand, that might be a problem.</p>
<p>"I actually think it could give you an edge. It makes you very interesting "</p>
<p>I agree. When it comes to the top colleges in the country – places like HPYS – they have such an overabundance of applicants with high stats that the collees can afford to select from that pool the applicants who’d create the most diverse student body in all meanings of the word “diverse.”</p>
<p>If you have the stats to be applying to colleges like that, your union experience would make you a stand-out and your having been in the CP would make you even more interesting (in a good way) to admissions officers. Do consider focusing your essay on your experiences.</p>
<p>I also don’t think that most Americans now are put off by “communist.” Once communists were supposed to be the arch enemies of the U.S. Now, it seems that many communist and formerly countries are among our allies.</p>
<p>“I also don’t think that most Americans now are put off by “communist.” Once communists were supposed to be the arch enemies of the U.S. Now, it seems that many communist and formerly countries are among our allies.”</p>
<p>This might be true of Americans who live in the Northeast and in California, but I don’t think you can say most AMERICANS are not put off by “communist.” </p>
<p>On the other hand, I agree with those posters who say your activities with the union of communist workers will have no negative impact on your application. Unless you plan to apply to Pensacola Christian, Bob Jones University or a similar school.</p>