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2 years ago
Admissions Advice

I'm writing an book extremely controversial book, will colleges think bad of it?
Answered

If I write a book that has VERY controversial opinions, which would be provided by seperate writers, and a disclaimer that I don't share these opinions will college admissions think bad of it? These opinions will be against the status quo, concerning race and other difficult topics.

Thanks!

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Accepted Answer
2 years ago

I think that colleges will appreciate the commitment to intellectual diversity that your book showcases. Since your disclaimer says that you do not share the opinions of the writers, they will evaluate your book based on its goals rather than content.

I recommend elaborating on your goals as an author further in the Additional Information section of your applications. For example, highlighting controversial opinions in order to humanize and contextualize the people who have them, with the goal of reducing political polarization, would be seen as admirable by colleges. Hope this helps!

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2 years ago

Whenever you author something "extremely" controversial and counter-"status quo", you will be viewed most likely in the prevailing politics and level of conservatism of the college culture. You don't know who is reading the first pass of your application, and even if your stats fully qualify, ultimately its up to the admissions committee to give you the thumbs up or down.

Most of the colleges in America are Private Institutions that whose admissions policies are self serving for the most part. Just like private golf clubs or NYC Coop-boards can exclude you for not meeting their arbitrary standards which can include your net worth, your recommenders, and whether you a good fit for their expectations as members or neighbors, private colleges can dismiss you for your social media profile or personal public views. If you are found to be controversial, for instance someone who supports publicly the incitement of violence or hate regardless of which side of politics you lean toward, either far left or far right, you may find yourself without a home because their ideal culture might rather support those attempting to find common ground, engage in healthy civil discourse and achieve some unity versus creating rifts.

Most students who are interested in attending colleges are not set in their ways and go to college to learn how to be better critical thinkers and hone their writing and technical skills. They do not arrive on campus with pre-conceived ways etched in stone about race, gender, the criminal justice system, structural racism. They certainly might have strong opinions but attend college to be better informed in topics that interest them and hopefully succeed in acquiring skills and knowledge to help them become better humans. If you arrive on campus or establish in your Common App that you have written a manifesto about "extremely" controversial subject matter might be consider somewhat of a risky candidate because most high-schoolers do not have the life experiences and subject matter experiences to draw those conclusions. They would question your intention of entering a pluralistic education system if you already are so opinionated.

Only you alone, can decide which schools to apply to and what to include in your application.

Good luck with your college admissions journey.

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a year ago

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