Hey guys, I’m a Euro app with a rlly strange question regarding one of my EC’s. I’ve been working on this large project for a while now. Basically, I wrote this book and published it (pretty easy since it was nothing major at all). The book was a collection of literary pieces about the Romani/Roma people (also known as: Gypsies) living in my country, and all the profits (not that much) went to this small scale charity to improve integration etc. However, my counselor made a rather odd speech that I should NOT include it on my college app for Harvard because adcoms would attribute characteristics of the Roma to me (stealing, cheating, etc --> though I’m not a Roma myself) and not give me a fair shot. Looking through the threads at CC, it seems as so much as breathing at the wrong time can give a wrong impression to adcoms. This is a really weird thing to be asking, but lately I’ve been pretty paranoid. Is my counselor right, or is it just a personal grudge he might have? I know that Ivy’s are more “liberal” (I guess??) but what about other American colleges? Should omitting the project in its entirety be a smarter move?
PS. I wasn’t really sure where to post this, but I will be applying here soon so I might as well, eh?
PPS This question is so odd–> once again I apologize.
Your counselor is SO wrong. Among the things colleges like Harvard are looking for in applicants are evidence of intellectual curiosity and initiative, both of which this project demonstrates.
Something with which a lot of applicants struggle is differentiating themselves from the crowd of high achieving kids with similar interests-the class president with high scores and grades who also plays an instrument and a varsity sport, but who doesn’t really bring anything different to the admissions table than all the other class presidents who play an instrument and a sport. This project stands out as interesting and unique. The only way I could see something like this hurting you were if you had written something that came across as bigoted or biased against the Romani people.
@Sue22 It was a collection of prose and poetry that try to find art and beauty within the Romani communities @ballerina16 and @Sue22 thank you so much for the replies!!
Most americans are unaware of the negative reputation the roma have in europe. And those american admissions people that are aware will likely think it very open minded of you to look beyond the stereotypes.
I agree with everyone above! At schools like Harvard where most applicants are academically qualified, the admissions people are looking for students who will better the school community. So if you wrote a book and donated money to help overcome stereotypes and integrate people (sorry I am really clueless about the Roma people) I think that would come across great! I think most admissions officers would be happy to have a student on campus who is working to bring people together. Good luck!
It’s ridiculous to think that Harvard admissions staff won’t be aware of negative European stereotypes about the Roma, but just as ridiculous to think that they would downgrade an applicant based on association with the Roma. Simply put, the mainstream American attitude towards subcultures is very different from the mainstream European attitude. We tend to assume that marginal groups are interesting, worthy of attention and understanding, and potential (maybe even actual) contributors to society.
