<p>I was wondering whether or not it is acceptable to write about a religious experience, Hajj (Muslim Pilgrimage) for the CommonApp essay which asks for a significant experience. I won't focus to much on the religious aspect of it, but rather on how I realized the university of religion(e.g. how it unites people of different social classes, gender, race, etc...)</p>
<p>I'm scared that it might end up being biased (e.g. reader may be anti-muslim)</p>
<p>I think it will be fine if you don’t focus too much on he religious aspects</p>
<p>but still, religion, just like politics, is a very delicate topic and it may be risky</p>
<p>If you don’t have any other ideas you might as well write it, but just be careful not to make any reader uncomfortable or offend them…</p>
<p>Keep it positive and speak in universal terms. As in, values that are part of Islam and the Judaeo-Christian tradition (to cover all your bases). There are plenty of them, so you should be fine. (This goes for any college essay on religion, actually. Writing an essay on how awesome Protestantism is because it has x, which Catholicism lacks, and how it’s helped you grow as a person in a way members of other religions could never experience, is not something I’d recommend doing.) Introducing new vocabulary and giving background info should be ok.</p>
<p>I don’t think it would be a good essay. . . you say that religion unites those of different classes, races, etc. But religion itself divides people, because there are multiple religions, and this is often the cause of conflict in the world. So there would be a gaping hole in your essay.</p>
<p>But I think you shouldn’t worry about the possibility that the reader is anti-mulism. Colleges do NOT discriminate because of religion. I don’t think it would be a problem.</p>
<p>But I still wouldn’t write the essay. It doesn’t make too much sense.</p>
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<p>He didn’t say that religion is meant to unite people across religions…this is the idea of pluralism (or that all religions are equally right and “all lead to the same place”, which I disagree with, because I think claiming all religions are equally right leads to a “watering-down” of all religions…but that’s totally different from using your religion to do real harm to others). I think where the OP’s going is fine; religion can certainly unite different races and classes.</p>
<p>I’m writing about religion too, because it’s become fairly important in my life. If that trip made an impact on you, don’t be afraid to write about it! Just don’t say anything you don’t mean in order to sound good.</p>
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<p>I agree :).</p>
<p>OP, I think this essay walks a fine line here. What it has going for it is a specific anecdote, a specific experience to describe that keeps you from wandering aimlessly, vaguely through a tricky topic.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the reader being anti-Muslim. I would worry about sounding exclusive–to other religions, other ways of life.</p>
<p>For starters you should use the word universality. </p>
<p>Anyways I think it can be a strong and moving essay. In a time where all religions are getting a lot of flack, one may forget all the ways they can benefit one’s life. I don’t think that’s a dangerous topic at all in terms of political correctness. Although some adcoms may feel strongly that religions are not worth all the suffering they cause, and you may be perceived as backwards. But stick it to them!</p>
<p>I think this would be a great topic, as long as it shows who you are. The colleges won’t care if you have the most engrossing topic ever written, if the essay does not show you, then it is a bad essay and at top schools could reject you. </p>
<p>But I say do it. If I had gone to Rome on a pilgrimage (I’m Catholic) and it was certainly memorable and demonstrated something about me as a person then I would write an essay on it. </p>
<p>Just Remember: it’s not the topic, but rather how much I know you through the topic.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>EDIT: In terms of political correctness, I’ve read some essays that frankly did nothing but trash religion, usually Catholicism or other forms of Chrisitanity. And the authors went to top schools. So I think a positive essay about religion would be fine. Just don’t condone Jihad in your essay (which is sarcasm, I’m sure you won’t) :)</p>