<p>I am a little concerned about writing my essay on a controversial topic like religion but I think I can do a really good job with it because it is something I have thought about a lot. So the two opposites would be the believer and the skeptic - what do you think? Too risky? I'd really appreciate any feedback.</p>
<p>Lots of people – students and parents alike – keep insisting religion is a risky topic. I don’t understand that at all. It’s something that many students care about a lot and think about a lot, which makes it a perfectly appropriate essay topic (although not likely a unique one).</p>
<p>I think the fear, such as it is, comes from people whose religious belief is strong and who are concerned that the secular humanists at elite universities will look down on them for that, or will discriminate against them because they hate religion. In general, that’s silly. No one working in college admissions hates religion or religious kids. The only concern I would have is that if you are a fundamentalist or literalist of any religion, and feel a strong need (a) to convert your classmates, or (b) to actively oppose secular and scientific viewpoints, then you are probably not going to fit in at lots of mainstream universities, and the admissions staff will act accordingly. But if you show reasonable tolerance for (and even interest in) different points of view, a willingness to engage in dialogue rather than preaching, and a willingness to think intellectually about your owwn faith and others’, then you will be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback JHS. I am the skeptic as far as religion is concerned. I have been around religion all my life but as I grew and learned, I lost my faith. It is not something I am proud of - it just happened. I am definitely not the norm in my family and it is a pretty big conflict for me. I accompany my family to places of worship but I feel nothing. I have nothing against religious people - it’s just that I am not a believer. Would this be weird to write about?</p>
<p>I think it’s fine to write about. Just remember what you are trying to do: make yourself seem like an interesting person that other people would want to meet. I often analogize college essays to talking on a first or second date. There’s some level of mutual interest there, and you want to communicate who you are, but it should be the best, most attractive version of you. Losing your faith and going to church (or wherever) and feeling nothing – that’s not something that inherently says “This is an interesting person!” It may say that, but it will depend on what you bring to it, what insights you have and where you think it takes you.</p>
<p>In other words, don’t forget to make your essay have a point, and don’t forget that whatever your essay says, what you want it to do is make you seem interesting in a positive way.</p>
<p>I chickened out and ended up doing the Find X essay. It tells more about me anyway. Thanks for your input JHS</p>