<p>Would Harvard consider high activity in politics a "hook"? IE, State and Federal level page/internship, campaigning, and high activity in school political clubs? </p>
<p>Highly Theoretical: Let's say I was a minority Republican?</p>
<p>depends on the depth. everything is relative, really.</p>
<p>but it prolly wont be as strong as an athelete/URM/low-income/legacy hook</p>
<p>How in depth are we talking? I know this is subjective to the bone, but this federal level stuff is extremely competitive as I hear.</p>
<p>[EDIT:] Although I am not new to these boards, I have never caught up to what "URM" stood for. What exactly does it mean?</p>
<p>well, if youre going to harvard for poli sci/history, the competition is gonna be pretty stiff. it will definately help you, but unless you worked like for the president its not going to be something an adcom is going to see and say "oooo, he's in"</p>
<p>URM is under-represented minority</p>
<p>That's a reasonable answer, although I'd like to hear other opinions. Something I want to focus on though: these ivies <em>seem</em> to care so much about diversity and non-minority exclusion. As far as I know, 90+ percent of Harvard is basically socialist. Would the fact my passionate political ideology is conservatism help me at all?</p>
<p>were you a page in congress last year? That sounds pretty dam awesome to me. </p>
<p>As for conservatism, it wouldn't help you per say. That you're passionate it about it is just as important.</p>
<p>To answer your question, EiChef, no I wasn't (as they only allow Juniors). This year I'm going to compete for it though, but to get there is near impossible. Only 30 states can send kids and within your state you have to compete for a federal level politician to send you in the first place. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with social connections, something I don't have. Still, I want it more than anything and would love the opportunity.</p>
<p>"ask the dean" question (and answer, obviously) about conservative political activism and its effect on admissions. i was the one who asked the question (proudly grins) :)</p>
<p>Question: Would becoming a campaign worker for the Bush presidential campaign or another conservative candidate's campaign--or founding a Young Republicans Club at one's college--hurt transfer-admission chances at Ivy League schools, which tend to be fairly liberal?</p>
<p>Getting into an Ivy League school as a transfer is an uphill battle for anyone, but your choice of college (e.g.. Penn vs. Princeton; Cornell vs. Columbia) will be a factor. </p>
<p>However, if you don't get the good news you hope for, it definitely won't be because you supported a conservative candidate or founded a Young Republicans' Club. A right-wing student on a left-leaning campus will bring welcome and much-needed diversity. Moveover, launching a campus organization shows leadership and initiative. </p>
<p>Keep in mind, however, that it's not just the students who lean to the left on elite-college campuses. Many of the admission officials are knee-jerk liberals, too. You'll probably impress them the most if you temper your achievements with humor when you fill out your applications. Point out that you recognize that your "Bush League" preferences may not be the popular ones at your new transfer school, but you promise to refrain from hanging campaign posters in the bathrooms where your dorm-mates are a captive audience. Make sure to note, too, that you get along with diverse people who hold a range of views, and you are looking forward to sharing yours--regardless of how few others will applaud them.</p>
<p>To answer your question, absolutely not. The admissions committee will not reject you for your political motivation, no matter which side of the fence you lean on. I would assume they would appreciate your active nature on campus, and would look on that positively.</p>
<p>On a scale of 1-10, 1 being a good SAT, and 10 being a URM, where would conservative political activism fall on the "hook greatness" spectrum?</p>
<p>What do you mean scale of 1-10? How do you figure good SAT and URM status are on opposite ends? Kind of arbitrary, don't you think?</p>
<p>Anyhow--I totally know how you are feeling: I was there a couple of months ago (aaaaaaaaah how much does legacy+athlete+SATs increase my chances!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, etc etc)--craziness. There's nothing you can do now but wait. Go outside. Or, in your case, go to a rally or something, lol! Relax and put all this "hook/edge" garbage out of your head for a few days.</p>