religious based ec's. +/- effect?

<p>im a sophomore who is really involved in the local church scene
from missions trips to yg organizing to community service or even theological debate (yes call me a nerd)
this is what i live for and i plan on attending christian youth camps held by christian theological seminaries. this and missions trips are prly how im gonna spend this summer and nxt summer </p>

<p>my question is . will this b frowned upon?
i dont think adcoms frowning upon my essay or passion for my religion would stop me from going to these things but i was just curious.
the schools im aiming for are basically the top colleges in cc forums. and no i am not willing to go to a christian college besides wheaton in IL</p>

<p>and please. no flaming on my personal beliefsthank you!</p>

<p>Should not hurt. Make sure they know it is your passion and not ssome hobby. On Common App, they ask you to write a little blurb about your most important activity and why. I chose the church.</p>

<p>My D is very active in our religion (not Christian, though) and used her experiences in her application essays and such. So far, it has been received very well -- even at one LAC known for having "students who ignore God on a regular basis." I have to admit, though, that I was a bit worried when she sent in her apps.</p>

<p>The essays my son sent in to Christian colleges I didn't worry about. The essays he sent to the only public school he applied to, I did worry.<br>
He is very active within our church, mission trips, LTC next month and volunteer work like yourself. But one of his recs for Honors college was from our preacher.</p>

<p>They consider religious conviction & activities as a strong plus in admissions, and their campus is sooo beautiful! Right on the ocean, looks like a travel postcard.</p>

<p>It should not hurt. Do not preach or act defensively in any essays you write on the subject.</p>

<p>i would not focus on my beliefs in my essay. it would b more like how it led me to focus on community service</p>

<p>I love you!</p>

<p>Your ECs are almost exactly like mine. I've been on missions trips to Peru and Thailand. I'm active in my youth group and help out at my church all the time. I went to Emory's Youth Theological Initiative last summer (which you should look into, by the way). My heart burns for helping other people, and this passion was pretty much the crux of my application. If religion is your passion, for heaven's sake, let it shine through. It's the very thing (possibly hook) that colleges look for -- genuine passion.</p>

<p>I'll post my short answer "most meaningful activity":</p>

<p>For my entire life, my faith has played a central role in who I am as a person and has lead to my passion to help others regardless of their circumstances. Both of my missions’ trips and my time spent at Emory’s Youth Theological Initiative only strengthened this conviction and allowed me to further understand my sense of duty, or opportunity, as a Christian to help others. I realized that I have an obligation to show the less fortunate, in the form of servitude and sacrifice, the love I recognize as coming from God. On my missions’ trips, I saw pain and suffering unlike I have ever seen before, but at the same time I saw that my actions were able to give them hope. This hope is something I desire to give to all who need it. </p>

<p>Regardless of what it involves at the time, whether it be pruning trees at a leper colony in Thailand or talking about video games with Jessup at a mentoring session, my most meaningful activity is helping others. </p>

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<p>I was accepted to Yale early with below average stats. I seriously think my passion is what got me in.</p>