<p>Do these exist in admissions? Is religion even remotely considered as a factor? </p>
<p>I ask because I am an atheist, and I am wondering if indicating this on the application would raise/lower my chances because of unofficial "quotas."</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Doubt it. Like actually- no. haha. </p>
<p>Unless you’re trying to get into a school with religious affiliation, in which there <em>might</em> be some unofficial qoutas.</p>
<p>probably not a quota, but it adds to overall uniqueness</p>
<p>The use of quotas in affirmative action is illegal. So no, they should NOT be using any type of quota system. If they are, they should take it up with the US Supreme Court (Regents of the University of California v. Bakke).</p>
<p>However, they can take religion (or lack thereof) into account in order to form a diverse class. There’s a big difference between using quotas and simply considering religion, race, etc.</p>
<p>Overall, I think religion is significantly less considered than race/gender. I have no evidence to back this up, but I just get the feeling that many colleges are more interested in racial and socio-economic diversity than they are in religious diversity. (Not that it’s not important, just less important).</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m aware of the Bakke case, that’s why I called it an “unofficial quota.”</p>
<p>Some schools seem more and some less friendly to Jewish, Asian and maybe Indian students (but not all at the same school). There used to be pretty strict quotas but now I think they just have goals.</p>
<p>At a school like Brandeis it could help to be non Jewish.</p>
<p>Actually religious schools can discriminate on the basis of religion. It doesn’t matter whether they are grade schools, high schools, or colleges. One of the reasons we have a First Amendment. Since we are Christian, my kids have applied to denominational schools. Some had no questions about religion but others wanted a letter of recommendation from your pastor. Others have special scholarships for members of their faith.</p>
<p>probably not for athiests. but i’ve always secretly thought that being muslim might be a slight advantage.</p>
<p>Well, I got a full scholarship to a Jesuit school. Instead of atheist, I put “none” which I think comes across as less “confrontational” <em>gags</em></p>
<p>top 20 don’t discriminate if you are atheist or jewish</p>
<p>so it doesnt matter</p>
<p>^because of course all that matters are the top 20…how closed minded :/</p>
<p>I think - as with anything - if you somehow present your religion in a beautiful way, it is a bonus. If you do so negatively, there would be consequences. Additionally, if you didn’t really present it at all, it wouldn’t matter. If, say, a Sikh writes a profound essay speaking of his discrimination in the US, it would be a great factor. But it would be because of his essay and his insight rather than his religion. You see what I mean?</p>
<p>^^ that is extremely good advice.</p>