Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
I was thinking about writing about my lack of religion. I was raised a Christian by my Mom’s side of the family. My Dad’s side of the family is Muslim so it was always an interesting dynamic. When I got into high school I began to finally think for myself and decided I didn’t believe any religion.
Is this too risky for a common app essay topic?
The schools I would be sending it too would be UNC, NC State, Duke, and Wake Forest.
…Yes. Calling something a lot of people do “indoctrination” will not endear you to others. Nobody likes being accused of brainwashing, however indirectly.
You could maybe do the topic without being so acerbic, however. Don’t describe it as “brainwashing” or “thinking for yourself” or any of that. Just talk about the way in which you were raised, be honest, then talk about why that didn’t work for you personally. You can politely disagree with an idea without being hateful to those who do believe in it, and I think that it shows maturity if you can do it without being offensive. I’d write it, see how it turns out, have some other people look at it, then decide if you’d like to submit it.
Honestly? I wouldn’t broach this topic since you are applying to Southern schools. Statistically the odds are that your essay reader will be religious, and your potential to offend will be substantial. Even someone with the best of intentions can ruffle feathers on the topic of religion. If you were applying to West Coast or NE schools I don’t think it would be so bad–most people in those areas are agnostic or atheist–but in the South that is not the case.
Now you could anecdotally talk about being raised Christian and Muslim (which sounds like an interesting background) but NOT go into the fact that you are not religious now, and use it for the background prompt. (Common App Essay #1) But by framing it into the “challenge a belief or idea” category you’re automatically putting any religious person (even agnostic person, if you are writing as an atheist) who reads your essay on the offensive. That’s not a good place to start. Positive is always the way to go.
Frame it as an individual, personal journey. Avoid making it seem preachy or as if you judge religious people. I think growing up between two religions and ultimately going for a third option does sound like an interesting experience, and if you think you can write it well, I would go for it and see how it turns out. Maybe have a religious friend or family member look over it and tell you what they think.
Hey guys new question. Would this work as an inoffensive way to tell my story?
Instead of Prompt 3 is use this prompt:
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
And this way it isn’t about me “challenging” a belief but instead it’s about me dealing with a personal problem and the internal struggles I face in regards to religion. (I would do this without mentioning outright agnosticism but tell of it as a struggle within myself to figure out my true religious identity)
I think that just changing the prompt won’t do much. Especially if you consider it a “problem to solve,” it may come off offensive in a completely different aspect.
You’re better off just using option 1 (the identity, background, etc. one) and trying your best to show it as a personal journey rather than a violent break from dogmatic religion. I think @SpringAwake15 has the right idea.
First let me say that I am a devout Catholic and my son goes to school in the South. I don’t find this topic “too risky” and it clearly is an important issue for you. You just have to couch your argument in a certain way.
What will this topic reveal about you as a person. How will a person with this perspective add value to the university you are trying to gain admission to?
Why are you not religious? Are you a science guy who bases his beliefs on facts and not faith? Are you not drawn to the cultural tradition that is often so much a part of organized religions? Be careful here… universities want you to get involved with THEIR traditions. Agnostic? Be careful… Agnostics are often viewed as lazy fence sitters. Universities want students who will challenge themselves intellectually and search out hard truths whatever they may be.
I think there is some merit in writing about being pulled between two conflicting points of view and choosing to ultimately decide for yourself to go your own way. Personally, I find your background intriguing. I think it gives you a unique perspective.
Just don’t denigrate anyone’s faith system. Don’t use terms like brainwashing or indoctrination. Avoid cliches like “religion is the basis of all conflict in the world” or “I find my God in nature.” Show a love and appreciation for the faith systems of others even if you yourself don’t choose to walk that path. Let the university see that you are person who is open to learning about other cultures and traditions and faith systems.
It can be a bit risky, but as long as your essay doesn’t offend anyone and you stick to a middle group you should be fine. Don’t talk about which religion you think is better, it might put your reader on the defensive. Definitely have a teacher or someone else who has a different opinion read your essay to make sure there isn’t anything that might offend anyone. If a teacher gives you green light then you should be fine.
I think that framing your movement away from religion as thinking for yourself can come off as arrogant. Keep in mind that as many people become adults they do think more about why they have their religious beliefs, and many/most do not abandon their faith or religious denomination because of it. Sometimes introspection helps affirm people’s religious beliefs.
So you can still write a good essay about this subject, but if you don’t keep in mind my previous paragraph you may turn off some of the people reading your essay.
Seems like you’d be walking a precarious tightrope if you choose to go this route just based upon what various posters have written. Is it worth it? Only you can decide if you can pull it off and if this is one of the most important step aspects of who you are. Have others read your drafts if you do decide to write about this topic. Good luck!
Actually, Prompt 3 is an excellent way to frame it.
“I was raised Christian in a Muslim/Christian family. (Tell various little anecdotes where your double background comes into play). That led me to examine my own beliefs rather than accepting them as truth, and this is the journey I went on. … … … … … In the end, I am currently an agnostic. I am hopeful I’ll meet many students who have faith and question their faith while in college and I look forward to the discussions we’ll be having.”
This would NOT be offensive and it’d be interesting since there’s a lot of potential for unique anecdotes from which you an reflect.
As for posters above: religion CAN be indoctrination. If you’ve been taught the Earth was created in 6 days and the science that proves otherwise is bogus, then you read stuff on your own and you start digging and realize it’s a religious, not scientific, truth, then you start thinking about the meaning of truth in these two areas, leading you to realize the difference between knowledge and belief… and then you’re denounced for that realization as a “fake/bad Christian”, told you’re going to go to hell, pressured, etc, etc, it’s really “thinking for yourself vs. indoctrination”. Faith can be incredibly humbling, liberating, and inspiring, but it can also be narrow-minded and oppressive. It really depends on the family, the church/temple/mosque, the religious leaders, the community. We don’t know what OP’s life has been like, the type of family, church, or community s/he’s grown up in, etc.
I do agree that if the OP describes something negative, it has to be clearly framed as presenting his/her situation in his/her particular community at that moment, NOT the entire faith community everywhere.
(For the record, there’s been no equivalency between “being Christian” and “being unscientific” for a century at least. It’s in fact against Catholic doctrine; most Muslims and Jews are taught it’s a spiritual requirement to value knowledge as well as faith, not over faith, etc.)