Mentioning God in essay

Is this acceptable? The topic is about an experience on a mission trip while serving those in need.

I think that it is acceptable if used in an appropriate context.

Yes, it is acceptable but I think you should consider a different topic. It’s very overused and typically makes the top ten list of things NOT to write about. (You can google it.)

It’s tricky because religion/God can be a very divisive topic. My son went to a Catholic school and we faced this same question when it came to his essays. The most honest advice I can give you is if you can write about the experience with passion, interest, and excitement in a secular way, do it (unless its for a school with a strong religious affiliation/mission). But if taking God out of your essay takes all the heart out of it too, then leave him in there :). Good luck!

Or her.

@intparent. Like I said, divisive. Thanks for illustrating the point.

I don’t see that as divisive. But I guess it does point out that what seems like an innocent mention of religion in an essay can draw a reaction you can’t anticipate from a reader. Many readers could have perceptions of God that do not match yours, or they may not believe that God (or gods) exist. It may or may not impact their reading of your essay. You can still choose to put it in if you want to. But it does carry a risk.

Famous short story about a man brought back to life after a near death experience.

Man: “I saw God.”

Onlooker: “What is he like ?”

Man: “She’s black.”

I think mentioning God is fine. Every school we toured had some sort of campus ministries. I’m not religious at all but I wouldn’t find an essay like that offensive in the slightest, as long as it represents who you are.

However, essays about The Mission Trip and The Big Game are notoriously overdone. If you choose to do it, make it as personal as you can.

I also think it is fine to mention God, but be certain the essay focused on you (your experience, your personal growth etc.) rather than on religion. In the end a good college essay should: 1) tell something about you that can’t be found elsewhere on the application and 2) give admission officers a reason to want to have you on campus. Be sure anything you write keeps those goals in mind.

I also agree that the mission trip type essays are not unusual, but if you can make it shine, make it personal etc. then it should be fine. The topic is generally less important than how the essay is written and what it says.

Why can’t an essay that mentions God be about religion ?

My D mentioned that one side of family is very spiritual and the other not at all. It did not hurt her in any way shape or form. In fact my husbands relatives are actually Amish. I think it depends on context. My daughter applied to and was accepted with scholarships at some of the most liberal schools in the country. Discovering part of yourself on a mission trip sometimes can really have little to do with religion.

Or it can have a lot to do with religion.

Would anyone really want to attend a college or university in the free world where the topics of God & religion are taboo ?

Thank you for the insight! I think I can make the essay work without taking the risk. I will also think about another topic as suggested. Appreciate it!

@Publisher

Agreed. My D went to several sessions on how to write a good college essays and was advised (multiple times) to avoid topics that can be polarizing like religion and politics. She wrote about both extensively in her essays. The subject matter didn’t seem to have an bearing on her acceptance rate. My advice to original poster would be to write honestly and openly about religion if it is an important part of who she or he is. I think as long as your are authentic you can’t go wrong.

God is not the controversial part of this essay. The part that might be controversial is the common storyline:

“This mission trip changed my life, I went abroad and I learned that there are people less fortunate than myself after being there for a week. Now I want to give back and help others”

Not only can this topic be incredibly cliche, it also may come off giving off a sense of privilege or a “savior complex” (look it up) mentality. I’m not necessarily saying any of those things apply to you, and I am sure the trip is well-intentioned, but admissions officers have read many of those essays before. Also think about how much the essay relates to you as a person/demonstrates your personality traits.

Again, religion is not the controversial part here, but what the essay ultimately demonstrates.

I would call myself a woman of faith and I would ask you that as with anything, who is your audience? The schools you are applying to matter IMHO I just listened to a program again on NPR that discussed the over used essays, like the mission trip (and it does not necessarily sound like a religious one). Someone may not bother to read through to the end, making the assumption as in this interview, that they all end the same way- https://www.thisamericanlife.org/504/how-i-got-into-college/act-one-2

Just remember, this is for a college application, not ordinary free-writing.

@Meddy: Any essay on any topic may remain unread if poorly done.

The audience is someone looking for an insightful writing exhibiting intellectual curiosity.

It is wrong to assume that any writing about a missionary trip, God & religion will be cliché or poorly done.

The concept of a higher power as well as religion fall into the category of philosophy.