When writing an essay for an application, is it a good or bad idea to base your essay around a controversial subject (for example, abortion)? On one hand, it shows your ability to think critically and form your own opinions, but on the other hand, if the reader strongly disagreed with your opinions, that may negatively influence his or her final decision.
For example, I’m considering writing an essay (well, it’s not actually for college admission, but for admission to Telluride, a selective summer program) criticizing modern Christianity. I realize that most people would disagree with my ideas, but I am hoping that my writing on this topic will allow my individuality and insight to really shine through.
<p>Eh, a controversial issue is one thing, but abortion is so polarizing an issue that it might be impossible for an adcom to ignore his or her own emotional response to your essay while evaluating your application. </p>
<p>BTW, why <em>modern</em> Christianity? Did they JUST start opposing abortion? Also, even if you don't strike a nerve on abortion, think about how many Americans are Christians of some denomination or another, them modify those statistics for the adcom demographic. I'd say that faith might be an even bigger issue than abortion. It's a VERY personal issue, and I have to say, if I were an adcom and I thought for a second that you were insulting my faith, I'd easily reject you.</p>
<p>Sorry I was a bit unclear, my essay doesn't talk about abortion at all (it just focuses on the dogmas of modern Christianity). I just mentioned abortion as a random example of a controversial topic.</p>
<p>By the way, the readers of my essay will mainly be college students who are alumni of this summer program. Perhaps these people would be a more liberal audience than your typical Ivy League adcom. However, I suppose that if I were to be accepted into this selective program, my essay would have to pass before the eyes of an adcom-like adult first.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input though mediocretes, I definitely understand what you mean.</p>
<p>This would be a pretty poorly chosen subject. Generally it is not a good idea for you to pontificate on your ideas on any partisan subject or any large general subject or debate. The best college essays are personal. Showing your point of view within your personal range of experience, with rich details.</p>
<p>Jimmy do it, I think its an excellent idea, and it pertains to the world around us, did you hear about the 150 million suing? Talk about homosexuality as well.</p>
<p>Knock yourself out! I was a finalist in a scholarship sponsored by the NRA in which I criticized the expiration of the assault weapons ban, the overextension of the 2nd ammendment and how it endangers our other civil liberties, and what i called "American Schizophrenia" sure it was probably unsettling, but it was well written and reflected original thought. Still, I wasn't awarded the scholarship but at least I was a finalist :) your gamble, but you really ought to portray your true self, don't tailor it to a committee</p>
<p>What will the content or focus of this summer program be? If this is something where strength of conviction, clarity of thought, and ability to critique clearly are important, you may demonstrate the characteristics the program's selection committee is looking for. If the summer program is instead, say, a math program, it might not be very appropriate.</p>
<p>Jimmy-- Is it TASP you're applying for? If so, their website says this about applications:</p>
<p>"Far more important to our decision are the essays written for the application. These essays give applicants a chance to characterize themselves and to demonstrate their independence of thought, curiosity, and concern for social and political issues."</p>
<p>Given that description, your proposed topic may fit if done in a larger context and not as a narrow condemnation essay.</p>
<p>mootmom, yes, it is TASP that I'm applying for. The essay (of which I've only written a first draft so far) isn't really what you'd call a 'narrow condemnation'. It's more of an explanation of my own beliefs, why I can't categorize myself as truly atheist or agnostic, and why I can't categorize myself as a Christian. The majority of the essay focuses on the latter, citing my own reasons why I dislike certain aspects of modern Christianity. It's that part that could be seen as critical, despite the little semi-disclaimer that I've integrated into the essay.</p>