Given all the recent protests, resignations, clashes, etc, I’m wondering if it would be risky to write about student activism in a personal statement? My student is active in her high school’s diversity groups and has argued with the administration over how her school has responded to some insensitive actions of other students.
Obviously, I know tone will be critical in writing the personal statement. But I’m wondering if it might be too much a risk regardless of how it’s framed? Do you think the recent clashes between students and admin will result in admissions offices being weary of admitting anyone that they fear might cause “conflicts”? Or would you expect readers to be sympathetic parties?
Just my gut feeling but I would NOT write about this…Because we are strangers, I’ll be honest and tell you that I don’t think any college is looking for kids right now who have gone up against a high school demanding changes in how sensitive others are. @romanigypsyeyes is right that its been overblown but these incidents have angered alumni, parents, teachers…nobody wants more of it right now. It’s like writing about politics…i wouldn’t do it.
I think it depends. I would not write about how you got admitted to a private high school, made them regret it every day for 4 years, and that your new cause is the idiocy of college admissions.
Activism can be a good thing if thought through and done properly.
Did your daughter ask about this or is this a concern of yours? If there are causes she is passionate about, and she wants to write about them, then I think she should. The right college will take the right kid, and it will help with fit at the very least. Tailoring an essay to contemporary politics and events seems kind of sad, but I do understand your concern. I think she should just go ahead and write whatever comes to her naturally though, without the intrusion of adult strategies
Knowing what is happening in colleges right now, if an applicant is telling you ahead of time about their activism and argumentative nature, would you admit them?
As a college professor, I am shocked by the number of people saying not to write about activism. I suppose not all conservative, religious schools would like it, but most schools, including Jesuit schools, want students with strong commitments to a better world. Most colleges and all universities see their mission, at least in part, as preparing citizens for engagement in make the world a better place, a more just place. College students have demonstrated and protested for generations. It is part of higher education. Colleges happily support activist groups and clubs (feminist, human rights, LBGTS, minority, legal aid, Palestinian, etc), and they do this because they desire to represent difference, engage all students, and nurture young minds.
Not only do I write this as an old professor who has had faculty positions in 4 states, working in 6 universities along the way. but my activist daughter, now at HYPS, did very well in her application process a couple of years ago. Her activism was seen as a commitment to her community, deeper than many who simply punch clock at a nursing home or a soup kitchen.
Write about passion, commitment, and civic engagement. You will stand out as an exceptional prospect.
IMO, the decision about the essay would rest on what your D’s methods were. Did she meet calmly with the administration, bringing along a student petition or a small group of fellow activists in order to discuss needed changes? That’s fine. Did she, as sorghum joked, occupy the principal’s office, or organize any rowdy event that disrupted classes for hours? Not such a good idea to write about in this climate.
I’d write about a time when she took an actual action to help someone, not just protested something she didn’t like. Did she volunteer for a political campaign to try to get people elected who share her views or get a referendum passed? Did she volunteer in animal rescue or at a shelter? Did she work at a food shelf, or teach immigrants to read? Did she pass out sandwiches to the homeless? Did she write to politicians and newspapers to articulate her views to people who can make a difference? Did she work with school administration to form an Amnesty International club or an LGBTQ club on her school campus?
It is easy to be outraged. Shouting, marching, sitting in – those aren’t accomplishments. Doing the hard work of improving people’s lives and working toward solutions to problems even when you don’t get a paycheck for it – I’d be a lot more impressed by an essay about that than one about how much noise you made about something. I bet some students will write essays on that idea this year, and it will resonate in admissions.
Hmm, sitting in and marching aren’t accomplishments, BUT they are the major tools of civil rights accomplishments. Activism is a broad range of activities. I have never heard it equated with noise making. When I read the advice not to write about activism, I see a pattern emerging. Clearly there are a lot of people who do not understand activism or the role of higher education in preparing citizens.
Remember, it’s not your personal statement. My sons’ essay was along those lines. I highlighted why I would stay away from controversial topics, he listened them explained why he was still using the topic. His choice, not mine. It’s who he is. If a school doesn’t think he’s a good fit he wouldn’t want to go.
“Is Writing About Activism In A College Essay Too Risky Now?”
no as long as it fits the politics and narrative of the person reading your essay. (you figure out the mindset of 95%+ of professors…outside of STEM and administrators at most campuses)
however that said, now that the special snowflakes are coming after people who have the same belief system as them, even those in admissions probably want to avoid more problem people on campus.
and tell you that I don’t think any college is looking for kids right now who have gone up against a high school demanding changes in how sensitive others are.