<p>I plan on getting an internship with a local Republican State Senator. Because my dream school is UC Berkeley, my mom said it may not be a good idea. She says that the board is bound to be severely Democratic, and would insinuate that I'm a San Diego Republican and would penalize me with these (false) assumptions. Personally, I think Berkeley wouldn't mind. I don't think they would automatically assume my beliefs correspond with my internship, and I furthermore believe they would appreciate me being involved in political inner workings, regardless of party preference. My mom and I differ on whether it is a good idea. I think I should go for it...Is this foolish thinking?</p>
<p>I think I vote with Mom on this one. I’m sure more votes will follow.</p>
<p>I personally believe that the two will balance each other out.</p>
<p>I think your mother’s off-base here. The admissions people want the Berkeley campus to be a vibrant, interesting place. The won’t have that if everybody toes the same line.</p>
<p>Also, there are clearly conservative undergraduates at Berkeley (or, at least, there were in 2005). See this link: [Berkeley</a> freshmen are more liberal and less religious than their national counterparts](<a href=“http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/01/24_freshmen.shtml]Berkeley”>Berkeley freshmen are more liberal and less religious than their national counterparts).</p>
<p>Colleges want students who actively pursue their passions. An internship with a US Senator would be great, regardless of the political party!</p>
<p>Plan on getting one is different from having one</p>
<p>Political affiliation plays no role in admissions.</p>
<p>I think your mom is wrong. Take the internship, if you have an interesting experience, maybe you could write one of your application essays about it. </p>
<p>Also, schools are looking to have a balanced student body. Those with a different viewpoint are still welcome at most schools.</p>
<p>Why would it be a false assumption for the admissions office to assume that you are a “San Diego Republican” if you intern for a Republican state senator? Unless you don’t live in San Diego… I am confused by your statement. The two do indeed go hand in hand. It highly unusual for someone to intern for a politician from a party that one is not affiliated with. If you can honestly go work with no moral qualms for a senator who is working in opposition to the laws & positions you personally hold, I am not sure that is a point in your favor… </p>
<p>Why don’t you look for a politician in a neighboring district that is closer to your viewpoint? Or look for a political cause that needs volunteers that is not directly affiliated with a party (eg, for or against a state law)? Or lobby directly to state representatives/ senators for some law change that you would like to see (there is a class at my kids’ high school that actually has the kids spend a whole semester doing that, and sometimes they succeed!)?</p>
<p>If Berkeley didn’t admit any republicans, then how could they have this:
[Student</a> Organizations | UC Berkeley](<a href=“http://students.berkeley.edu/osl/studentgroups/public/index.asp?todo=getgroupinfo&SGID=12123]Student”>http://students.berkeley.edu/osl/studentgroups/public/index.asp?todo=getgroupinfo&SGID=12123)
Did these students kind of fake out adcoms when they were applying? But why would you intern with a Republican senator if you weren’t a republican.</p>
<p>Yes, oldfort, at first I thought that is what the OP was saying (that he is going to intern for a Republican senator, and would that hurt his chances?). Of course there are many Republicans at Berkley (that does NOT mean that there is no admissions officer bias, though, you can’t know what was the applications of each student). But he is apparently saying that he is NOT a Republican, and his mom is saying, “Then why take the chance”? And as you say, why would you intern for a politician if you are not a member of their party? Interns DO help advance the agenda of the politician they are working for.</p>
<p>I generally fall with the Democrats on most issues, but I hate labeling myself with a party. Regardless of the moral dilemmas I might have working for the republican senator, will it be a detriment to the UCB admissions? That is my one true question; will the obviously liberal Berkeley staff assume I’m a Republican and put me at a disadvantage?</p>
<p>Sorry if the OP was confusing. Many people I know like the internship program because of its flexibility. It’s reputation and close proximity to my house have been major factors in me wanting to work there. I honestly just want to gain an understanding for the inner workings of local politics.</p>
<p>It should be okay. I say go for it. You don’t necessarily need to add this to your application either (unless you’re doing this solely to add to your application, then I would say no).</p>
<p>Also, just FYI, as an intern you’ll be making copies or fielding calls. No actual policy work.</p>