The question the Collegewise counselors have been batting around today:

Should a student who is very involved with conservative politics downplay that interest in the application?

The question, and it’s a fair one, came from a parent who was concerned that his student’s political leanings would not be appreciated by admissions officers who may not share the same views.

We all came to the same three conclusions:

1. There’s no need to hide. 

Students should never hide who they are from a college admissions committee.  Admissions officers don’t expect everyone to look, act and think the same.  In fact, trying to mold yourself into some imaginary version of “what they’re looking for” is about the worst way to stand out in college admissions.  Political, religious, straight, gay, Red Sox fan, Yankee fan—whoever you are, that’s exactly who you should be when you apply. 

2.  Students should apply to schools that fit them.

This doesn’t mean a conservative kid should apply only to conservative colleges.  Most colleges want a diverse student body, and diversity comes in many forms.  A college community is more interesting when it’s made up of smart, curious students who all bring very different backgrounds and ideas to the campus.  But students need to decide for themselves just how diverse you want your college environment to be, or if you’d prefer to be at a school where most of the students believe what you believe.  There’s a college out there for everyone.   

3. Be careful espousing political views in your college essays.

This might seem to fly in the face of conclusion #1, but here’s the subtle difference. 

Your can write about political activities.  You can also be open about what you believe.  But most colleges want students who are also intellectually mature enough to listen to, consider, and discuss opposing points of view.  A reader won’t be offended just because you believe something he or she doesn’t.  But if your essay reads as if you’re saying, “I’m right, and everybody else is wrong,” that could be a problem.

Arun pointed out that even the most liberal of schools welcome students who are conservative as long as they (and their liberal counterparts) are interested in the respectful, intellectual sharing of different viewpoints.  It’s the students who outright dismiss other points of view who are less desirable, especially at diverse schools.

As Arun put it, “Why join a college community at all if working with others doesn’t matter?”