<p>For my first essay, (the environment one) I talked very briefly about my religion - I didn't write about how I'll love God forever and ever (not that stupid), but I DID write about how my Christian upbringing taught me that if I have a set of morals, I should always live by them and know exactly how I feel about an issue, making me a very decisive person. But some people have told me that even mentioning religion will turn adcoms off.. what do you say? I'm not sure whether I should take that section out...</p>
<p>I think you're good. I read somewhere that 25% of the students at Tufts identify themselves as Christian, so you'll actually be adding to the diversity of the school.</p>
<p>I come from an entirely different part of the rainbow, religiously, but my kids did refer at ONE point (only) to the role of religion in their lives. It's an important thing about them and motivates some of their thoughts and values. It's a point of view, but they recognize the validity of others' points of view that they meet (and might meet in college). Unless you are applying to something like Bob Jones U, I'd say give careful thought to the fact that these are colleges where they want kids to open up, consider other perspectives, learn and grow. That can only be done if some (like you) give forward a perspective...but be careful not to sound closed off to others, or like you're going to act around the dorm like you're the only one going to heaven or something because you're of the Christian faith.
My 3 wrote up their aps with reference to organizations they belonged to (religious youth groups) and the kinds of service the organization performed for others in the community. One devoted his major essay to it, in fact, so it's out there for all to see. But he described some of the lessons he learned from it with broader applications than just the religion alone; for example, how it taught him to work with others, to be charitable or generous. The IMPACT of it on you is what they'd likely look for.
So pretend (for a moment) that you are not sure your faith is absolutely true. Focus instead on what it teaches you, how it helps you make decisions and live...and I'm sure you like how it motivates you. So describe THAT, rather than what you believe. Because that is what others will see.
I said there were 2 differences from my kids' aps and how I think yours is starting out (but should change a bit): express your openness to learn about others' belief systems. Give a sense of curiosity and wonder, respect for others who might believe AS STRONGLY as you but come from other faiths or non-faiths (Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, secularists, politically liberal Christians, Buddhists...). Honestly the LAST person I'd want to have to live down the hall from is anyone who views the world exactly as I do. No clones in college. It's a time to explore new ideas.
I think your friends are wrong to say "don't mention religion at all" and my guess is they are either exactly like you in outlook (and are scared to find prejudice or disagreement with their thinking)...or they are people with no religion in their lives so they can't fathom what it means to you and others who find it helpful.
Ask yourself if you're ready to have some beliefs changed or thoughts rearranged in college. If that thought encourages you to want to go to college, say so. It's fine to feel very firm in your beliefs but do recognize there are many worlds out there. If you want to learn more about them (and not spend your evenings proselytizing others up and down the dorm hall), I think that's a good picture of what happens in a college.
Have someone else read your essay before sending. I'd recommend someone at school (if there's time to show them) who is not from your faith system, but who understands that religion has a place in our society. For example, a history teacher might have that kind of objectivity.
Good luck.</p>
<p>NO RELIGION</p>
<p>cause atheists still have morals. your sentence could suggest to a atheistic/agnostic reader that you are saying that only religious people have morals</p>
<p>hmm I'm an atheist, but I was in no way offended by the sentence the OP posted.</p>
<p>People acquire their morals in different ways: life, experience, growing older, etc.</p>
<p>I think that the OP is trying to express that Christianity was a part of his/her life and growing up and therefore should be credited toward his/her morals.</p>
<p>I don't know, I guess it depends on how Chewie worded it in the essay.</p>
<p>It's risky, but just make sure that you don't sound like a crazed religious fanatic or a narrow-minded religious person, and you should be fine :]</p>
<p>paying3tuitions and innocentstalker, I should have elaborated. I definitely did not protray myself as someone who is decided with set beliefs, but willing to believe in only one way of seeing the world. That, I think, would be very unwise to state in an application to a school like Tufts. Thanks for your input, paying3tuitions; that is exactly the approach I am taking.</p>
<p>After that statement about religion, I also wrote that, because I live in an extremely liberal state and area (California), my OWN set morals/ethics (not my religion's morals and ethics) are constantly challenged by the ideas of my peers and school, and therefore I HAVE learned to adapt and create strong, new beliefs in myself through my own openmindedness. </p>
<p>ohh miss zanna - that is exactly how I wrote about Christianity. I'm sorry I didn't make it more clear :X</p>
<p>I don't think it will be a problem. I've read that around 50% of students from last year's admitted class identified themselves as Catholics or Protestants.</p>
<p>just stay away religion. unless you have made positive impacts on the community by adopting religion, no one cares if you are devout</p>
<p>I did not say that I was devout at all; as I previously stated, my upbringing is what taught me that I should be *decisive in what I believe in<a href="for%20instance,%20politics%20and%20social%20justice,%20not%20the%20concepts%20of%20right%20and%20wrong">/i</a>, not that I am completely set in my beliefs that I cannot comprehend the idea of having different views... . ackk am I making sense? I just don't know whether it's risky or not.</p>
<p>you are not</p>
<p>If the essay's about what's made you who you are and religion's a big part of that, you should put it out there. The essay's supposed to be about you. Of course you don't want to sound like a fanatic, and you don't want to turn any admissions officers off, but I think hearing about how your religion has helped you without feeling like you're forcing it on me or looking down on me because I believe otherwise...I think that's a good, refreshing thing to hear. Have a couple of people from different backgrounds read it, and if they think it comes off nicely, send it off!</p>
<p>I think you should include it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Politics, religion, nationality and ethnicity often act as defining attributes.
[/quote]
It shouldn't be any of their business, but it seems to me, Tufts Essay Question #2 is exactly asking you to discuss if you are religious, among other things.</p>
<p>My D's common app essay is actually about religion & politics. She worked hard to make it about HERSELF, and she did so without putting down other religions or points of view. It can be done! You are telling about YOU, and if your religion is a part of you, then it's fair game. Just make sure you do it without preaching or questioning the views of others. Religion is really not that taboo ... it's all in how you approach it.</p>
<p>religion can't hurt you unless you believe in scientology, the Westborough Baptist Church, or some weird fundamentalist branch of Islam. You should write about it if it's an important part of determining who you are. It's good to have a strong sense of self, yet be open to the beleifs and opinions of others.</p>
<p>rofl westborough baptist church...
[quote]
or some weird fundamentalist branch of Islam.
[/quote]
Do note that Yale accepted a member of the Taliban regime.</p>
<p>Religion can be discussed in context of the question and how it has/has not influenced you. The adcom recognize that students come from all sorts of backgrounds, and most have been influenced by religion. From the description of your essay, you should have no worries. By the way, my D, class of 2010, wrote about how a book (Exodus by Uris) sparked an interest/transformation in her own Judaism and the politics of the middle east. Religion was not the central theme, but like the OP, was relevant to the point being made. I can't say it helped her get in, but it did not hurt. And by the way, she was also accepted at several other prestigious schools, and wait listed at both Stanford and Harvard using the same/similar essay.</p>
<p>I hope it wouldn't be a problem but who knows. If you were a Moslem or Hindu then that would be like a guarenteed admission right there, but a Christian I don't know. </p>
<p>But why should this poster have to show "openness" towards other religions? Acceptence of other religions is, carried to its logical conclusion, NO religion at all. I say so long as order is maintained and you're not killing anyone you're fine. No reason to go around being "open" towards Atheists and Moslems. Respest them as human being, befriend them sure...but respect their atheism? No, I'm sorry but that's not how it works.</p>
<p>^what i meant was don't come across as intolerant or closed-minded. You can respect someone else's beliefs without having to agree with them.</p>
<p>btw, Hinduism doesn't gauruntee acceptance, I strongly doubt Islam does either, as so many Indian & South Asian ppl apply, and many of those who do are highly qualified. These religions aren't as rare in the applicant pool as you might think.</p>
<p>I doubt that someone who is not accepting of the beliefs of others would feel very comfortable at Tufts. </p>
<p>Being accepting of the views of others, even religious views, is not the same thing as believing them to be the "truth." Respect is possible, even when one does not agree. </p>
<p>Plus, this is a college admissions app ... it could be a Buddhist or Muslim evaluating it. Just something to think about! By the way, my D wrote about religion, but it had to do with tension between people of the SAME religion! Again, religion can work, but you have to tread carefully.</p>