Political protests

[ninakatarina]

I was reading the Applyingtocollege subreddit and found a thread from an MIT admissions officer. The title is “Q: how, if at all, has the prospect of disciplinary action impacting your college admissions impacted your decision to participate in shooting-related student walkouts?”

If you are applying to MIT and are considering participation in peaceful protests but worried about how it may affect your admissions decision, this thread is for you. peteyMIT states “I’ve heard from some MIT '22 EA admits that they were concerned about being rescinded if they participate in the student walkouts and get a disciplinary infraction. We told them their acceptance won’t be revoked for participating in meaningful peaceful protest.”

Apparently a blog post stating this is in the works.

[MITChris]

^^^^ is posted http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/policies-principles-and-protests

[CA94309]

Another blatant attempt by MIT and other colleges to exploit a tragedy to bring attention to themselves and their liberal views.

a disciplinary action associated with meaningful, peaceful participation in a protest will not negatively impact their admissions decision, because we would not view it as inappropriate or lacking integrity on its face.

So, would a suspension for protesting conservative causes such as allowing prayer in school be considered appropriate?
Will you admit a student who organizes outside your admissions office a peaceful protest to end racial discrimination in college admissions?

[tseliot]

Did you read the statement before jumping to conclusions?
As stated:

So: if any admitted students or applicants are disciplined by their high school for practicing responsible citizenship by engaging in peaceful, meaningful protest related to this (or any other) issue, we will still require them to report it to us.

Key phrase is “or any other issue”. Why does everything have to be a liberal vs conservative agenda thing? These kids are asking for their classrooms to be made safer, in the face of years of legislative inaction. If this is not a worthy cause I don’t know what is.

[brantly]

First, there are dozens of colleges that have issued similar statements.

Second, citizens engaging in constitutionally protected speech and assembly is a good thing. It is a responsibility of citizenship. This is not a left or right issue.

[ClassicRockerDad]

Second, citizens engaging in constitutionally protected speech and assembly is a good thing. It is a responsibility of citizenship. This is not a left or right issue.

Thank you. Just hitting like isn’t enough.

[CA94309]

https://stanfordreview.org/neveragain/

Stanford could have privately admitted stellar students who are also passionate activists and excused a few disciplinary violations, without issuing a blanket letter condoning truancy. Instead, elite colleges’ public issuances represent a blatantly political stance that sends an unfortunate message to impressionable students.

The notion that Stanford, Harvard, or Yale would recognize the “true and heartfelt response” of a student who walks out to lead an anti-abortion protest in the name of saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of unborn children is, unfortunately, laughable.

Exactly my point. In MIT’s case, they put out a blog that purports to extol the virtues of civic engagement, while in reality its clear the intent of MITs actions was to make a political statement.

[skieurope]

MODERATOR’S NOTE:
This conversation has drifted well beyond MIT, so I am closing. There is a general thread on the subject; feel free to join the conversation there:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/2058604-admissions-offers-policy-on-disciplinary-action-for-high-school-protest-p1.html