<p>Hello.. I am working on my application for Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University and I'm contemplating writing on a certain essay topic:
Explain how your cultural traditions (national, ethnic, religious, or other facets of your background) shape your view of the world around you.</p>
<p>I was thinking about writing about being an Atheist in small conservative town in America.. Would that be okay? I mean they're obviously looking for diversity and people that stand out but would that be too much? The other topics didn't really jump out at me as much. </p>
<p>Also one more quick question..
I only took the ACT and got a 30 on it. It's pretty much too late to take the SAT as well but would that hurt my chances of getting accepted? Is it good to take both?</p>
<p>And sorry if this isn't in the right section. I wasn't quite sure which section to put it in.</p>
<p>I am not an ad com representative, (just a mother of a college applicant!) so please take my reply with a grain of salt: I think that would be a fantastic topic for an essay, and a very interesting read. And I can add that as a Christian, which some admissions people must surely be, I wouldn’t be offended at all to read about a student’s experience as an atheist. The trick is to explain how others’ preconceived ideas about atheists affected you without appearing prejudiced yourself. You know, avoid statements about “narrow-minded Bible thumpers.” If you can navigate that, I think you’ll have an impressive essay.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about ACT scores, but I’m pretty sure you can sit for the November SAT, and still get your scores in time to apply, unless you’re applying ED.</p>
<p>Religion is a risky topic, if the guy who reads your essay is a religious person, he might dislike you. I’m not talking about offending him here, which you should avoid totally but I just think you’d have a lesser chance if the person is religious. If you and a religious guy is really close to each other he’d most likely pick him over you. But again, he might not be religious either. Like I said, it’s risky.</p>
<p>That’s what I am afraid of. I don’t want it to be too risky but I thought it might be something different and unique. I will probably write a few essays (at least rough drafts) and see which one sounds the best.</p>
<ol>
<li>Discuss how a particular work of music, literature, or art has inspired your educational path.</li>
<li>Describe your most significant academic achievement or intellectual endeavor. Highlight how it will influence your undergraduate education or goals for the future.</li>
</ol>
<p>Those were the other two options. I suppose for the 2nd one I could write about the math program I did this past summer.</p>
If you can navigate that, I think you’ll have an impressive essay.</p>