I’m applying to lots of top schools like Yale, Brown, Wesleyan, Pomona, Amherst, Williams, maybe Penn, Swarthmore, etc. (don’t worry I have safeties and targets).
While I have varied extracurriculars with some depth and breadth (debate, theater, service, journalism/creative writing), ONE theme that runs through my ECS is jewish related. for example I did a “program” meant for Jewish students and students of another culture to explore cross cultural engagement. it was selective and free. don’t want to go in excess detail in case it could make me somewhat identifiable. I also volunteer with seniors at the Jewish home. I also did a program on Jewish literature over the summer.
This is an important part of my identity. Should I de emphasize this in my application? I know it’s upsetting to see me “playing the game” and trying to figure out what colleges want, but that’s just part of life, and everyone I knew who went off to top colleges was strategic with their applications.
btw, if one was really curious, they could tell I’m Jewish from my name. white girl from overrepresented area. better to de emphasize or not really?
I will say that many of my D’s EC’s were Jewish related and that did not seem to hinder her acceptances, as all those activities are her passion. If this is what you care about, that is what matters most. The important thing might be to tie them together in one of your essays as to why this is your passion.
I have multiple “passions,” (sorry I just feel like this word is overdone) but Judaism is a big part of my identity and my interests. Thanks for your input!
I’m considering writing my CommonApp essay on how my relationship with Yiddish has affected my cultural identity! My philosophy on it is that I really don’t want to go somewhere where they’d reverse my acceptance based on my religion – I’ve lived somewhere for years of my life where I had to hide my religious identity, and it’s not something I wish to replicate for college admissions purposes. Yale is almost 30% Jewish – I would hardly say that they reject all Jewish-seeming applicants. 
Agreed @writergirl0316 ! God, no, I’d never want to go to a school without a strong Jewish community. I guess It isn’t so much that I worry Yale would reject me BECAUSE of Judaism, but rather that Judaism being a source of extracurricular material wouldn’t help my cause as “someone Who stands out” “someone who will contribute something unique to our school.” But trying to seem unique is a rather futile exercise anyway. Might as well just be myself.
I don’t think you should be focusing on being “unique” in your extracurriculars as much as you should concentrate on being passionate and committed. If you do happen to have a quirky “spike,” more power to you, but I don’t see it as a prerequisite for admission in any way. I think you’re fine!
Nah, as a matter of fact, I think it may help you quite a bit if you show pride in your heritage and make it a theme in your essays.
Thanks, @writergirl0316, that calms me down a little.
I don’t think it would hurt or help with colleges. The experiences themselves sound very interesting and worthwhile.
And if you were my D, I’d be glad that your faith plays an important part in your life!
Aww thanks, @GnocchiB ! My parents sent me to a Jewish day school for elementary school and it’s been an important part of my life pretty much ever since, even though I now go to a secular school.
You might want to add WashU to your list. They have an active Jewish community (Hillel is active on campus).
Thanks! I’ll think about it. I’m mostly looking at liberal arts colleges, though (Yale and Brown having that sort of liberal artsy vibe. Idk about Penn. i prob won’t apply). @Hamturtle
I cannot imagine that it would hurt you at all. And if there is one outlier college where it does – well that probably isn’t the right school for you anyway.
Rephrasing the question just a bit, you should assume that there are thousands of students for attend a religious HS and do EC’s related to their faith who attend your target schools. If you applying for Bob Jones University, it might be an issue, but it certainly isn’t for your reach schools. Good luck.
Are you a sophomore? You are not applying to schools for a long while.
Enjoy high school and as you said be yourself.
If you are deeply involved, it will help you just the same as any other EC in which an applicant is deeply involved (i.e. a lot). If you are not deeply involved, it won’t mean much of anything.
And it won’t hurt you anywhere except at extremely religious Christian schools.