<p>I marked down Buddhist on my application and I have to admit, it looks pretty weird being a white, Russian kid. </p>
<p>I'm not a strict Buddhist by any means but I live my life adhering to many of its teachings. I was raised Jewish and thus have disconnected from my original culture.</p>
<p>I didn't write my main essay on it, but is my decision worth explaining in "additional info" ? I think it gives some insight to my values. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>does that really mean you’re a buddhist though</p>
<p>By the strictest of terms I’ll consider myself a buddhist atheist because there is no “god” in buddhism and I don’t believe in any. The majority of it is philosophical and I’ve intellectualized its teachings. </p>
<p>In comparison, can people still be Christian if they have divorces? Of course, despite the fact that divorce is forbidden according to biblical standards.</p>
<p>Anyway, answer the question, lol</p>
<p>It sounds like it could make a well-written essay and would be worth putting down in additional info.</p>
<p>I’m Buddhist too 
Anyway, if you feel like it should be something colleges should know, write about it!</p>
<p>I mean, it couldn’t hurt my app, right? I’m afraid it might seem like I’m looking for attention.</p>
<p>Ask yourself why a college admissions person would care if you are a Buddhist, especially since it’s not an essay but something you’ve added in. Buddhism is an ancient discipline that involves countless hours of study, introspection, meditation, and sacrifice. If you are only intellectually a Buddhist or passively one, it might risk trivializing the religion. I for one do not see any reason why this would warrant an explanation. You identify as a Buddhist, sweet, unless you missed a semester at school because you visited a monastery and lived as a śrāmaṇera than it’s probably not a relevant to the admissions process and kinda makes you look like a stereotype. Then again, that’s my opinion. If you want to write the common app essay about how it’s influenced your identity, that’s a different story.</p>
<p>Well, considering my ED application is due tomorrow…it’s a bit late to write a completely new essay</p>
<p>I put down buddhist too, white russian kid as well. Im not going to explain it. Only explain it if you have a really good story but odds are it won’t be good because it may be offensive to jewish people.</p>
<p>@tyrtle, there should be a section in which you can explain certain/specific interests or “fun” things about you on the Common App. Since it is rather arbitrary and deviates from your social norms, I think it would be an interesting note to add; it makes you stand out from the crowd and sets you apart from other applicants.</p>
<p>Good luck! Where are you applying to?</p>
<p>I would just put it down under religious preferences, no additional information.
I wouldn’t think that one’s religion is something an adcom really psychoanalyzes.</p>
<p>Well, an explanation would help support my essay and activities. opinions?</p>
<p>@ssmith969 I am applying ED to Emory.</p>
<p>how would it help your activities/essay exactly? just curious so i can better answer your question</p>
<p>Great school! If it (an explanation) enhances your application by emphasizing your activities, then go for it!</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1573114-chance-me-please.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1573114-chance-me-please.html</a></p>
<p>@dream1111 my essay and many of my activities are centered around my passion for helping people and communities (I want to be a doctor). Buddhism would tie greatly into it</p>