I started brainstorming for prompt #3 “challenged an idea”. I felt a real need to share my story of how my own political views contrasted the widespread beliefs in my state. The essay is slightly satirical but I feel more points out my own attributes than criticizing the other side as much. Is it risky or no?
Can you be sure the essay reader(s) will be “on your side”? They’re only human. If I were reading an essay about how challenging it was to live in the midst of people whose views I shared, I would probably not be too sympathetic (consciously or unconsciously).
It may be risky if your political views are much more conservative and you are applying to colleges on the coasts.
The people who work at and for colleges are, in general, more liberal in their thinking than conservative.
So I’d be careful .
@menloparkmom I’m a far left leaning person that lives in the south lol
I think its risky. Its certainly possible that it can be handled in a way that no one can be offended, but its not easy to do that.
I’ve understood that it is difficult to write about sensitive topics but I thought that colleges are places for the discussion of ideas, and admissions officers look for diversity of mind.
It is very difficult to do ‘slightly sarcastic’ and that can really backfire if it sound too literal or too snarky. Very difficult to pull off. Also it is not great to paint a wide swath of people with a broad brisj/generalities and not see shades of gray. However if your essay is good it is good and the topic doesn’t matter.