<p>Is it a bad idea to talk about your religious affiliations in your app essays?</p>
<p>That’s way too risky, and could potentially offend the the essay reader. I think it would be in your best interest to not discuss any sort of controversial topics in your essay such as politics, religion, etc.</p>
<p>This was sort of obvious I thought.</p>
<p>So its a bad idea to say “Jesus is the only way to heaven, if you don’t believe that you will burn in the 7th layer of hell. You damn nonbeliever!”?</p>
<p>Seriously, I’m not trying to convert the essay reader.</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>^what? sorry my brain is fried from the ACT…</p>
<p>um I think in context it’s ok. Mine mentioned church and a church service because it was about the food ministry program I volunteered for and how I met a man that frantically changed my perspective…so like, it’s obvious I’m at a church event but my beliefs aren’t specifically mentioned I guess.</p>
<p>Oops. Drastically not frantically lol I’m on my phone. Sorry!</p>
<p>Unless the college you’re going to has like a strong affiliation with religion and you want to show how religion has played a positive role in your life, activities, or whatever, it can be misinterpreted. And seeing as how this is college admissions, it’s not really a chance you should take.</p>
<p>But, I mean, if it’s like a safety school or w/e then you could do whatever the hell you want. Probably not for top choice though.</p>
<p>my entire prompt is about being involved in a bible study and seeing how faith can shape one’s attitudes about discrimination and gender roles amongst men and women. I definitely mention it as dryly as possible, without even a hint of “christian-ese”. I think it is okay if you are referencing an activity, because if thats your involvement, then it is what it is. You can’t tip toe around it. I definitely think it is subjective. I wouldnt exactly put “Praise Jesus” at the end of my prompt, haha.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’re going to be discriminated against for your religion (barring, say, a satanic cult). Religion sounds fine for an essay. The biggest danger would be a cliche topic (“Going to Bible camp changed my _______ views on _______.”)</p>
<p>There’s always that chance that it could be read by someone with extremely opposite viewpoints who can’t be unbiased in his/her decision. That chance, however, is very low. So I would say it’s safe.</p>
<p>
That could be said about most essay topics. </p>
<p>“Want to write about helping the poor? Beware the Social Darwinist!”</p>
<p>I talked about my journey into and through atheism in my essay…But I could get away with it for two reasons: A) Reed is a very atheistic school, B) My message is that I’ve grown out of a fundamentalist atheism and into a more open, considerate world view.</p>