Should College Republican activities be listed on application?

[supposedly]

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Hello,

During my undergraduate years, I was very active in College Republicans. I held several club offices, organized statewide and local political rallies, volunteered in campaigns, coordinated PR, recruited many new members, and in general was very, very active.

The experience was very meaningful and important to me. I would like to include these activities on my application, but I am concerned that admissions committees will be turned off because it is political.

What are your thoughts? No political flamebait please!

 

[Doctorverardoll]

If it was an important and meaningful experience, then put it. I did some political work (volunteered for a city council candidate, registered ppl to vote). Regardless of affiliation, I think it is important for young people to be active (respectfully voicing opinions, reaching out to the community). I do not think ad coms will hold you affliation against you, although, individuals may have biases, but hopefully that would not come up in interviews.

Politics has been a topic at a few of my interviews, but it it was kept clear of Red v. Blue. Doctors often go on to become involved in politics on both sides.

 

[GAdoc]

Hello,

During my undergraduate years, I was very active in College Republicans. I held several club offices, organized statewide and local political rallies, volunteered in campaigns, coordinated PR, recruited many new members, and in general was very, very active.

The experience was very meaningful and important to me. I would like to include these activities on my application, but I am concerned that admissions committees will be turned off because it is political.

What are your thoughts? No political flamebait please!

So, there are a few of us out there...

I was Vice Pres. of my undergrad's chapter of CR.

I was also rejected the first time I applied to med school. The dean of admissions offered to meet with me to go over "weaknesses" in my file. When that particular aspect of my file came up, he suggested that whether right or wrong, some committee members may definately be swayed. He recommended that I describe the experience, but in a generic way such as "I was very active in a campus political group and even served as ____".

That way you show that you were active and that you were a leader but you don't get the bias from the adcom. If you are invited for an interview you may or may not be asked specifically what political group you were involved with. You can tell them, or you can politely suggest that your party affiliation will not impact your competence as a medical student or a future doctor. Some interviewers will appreciate the directness.

 

[supposedly]

So, there are a few of us out there...

I was Vice Pres. of my undergrad's chapter of CR.

I was also rejected the first time I applied to med school. The dean of admissions offered to meet with me to go over "weaknesses" in my file. When that particular aspect of my file came up, he suggested that whether right or wrong, some committee members may definately be swayed. He recommended that I describe the experience, but in a generic way such as "I was very active in a campus political group and even served as ____".

That way you show that you were active and that you were a leader but you don't get the bias from the adcom. If you are invited for an interview you may or may not be asked specifically what political group you were involved with. You can tell them, or you can politely suggest that your party affiliation will not impact your competence as a medical student or a future doctor. Some interviewers will appreciate the directness.

Thanks, that sounds like a really good way to include the activities, remain polite, and not make an issue out of it.

 

[aaj117]

I was involved in rather political activities as well, although on the opposite side of the spectrum. I did a lot with the college democrats, the pro-choice vox, the pride alliance, LGBT peer education, and other fairly controversial stuff. It was a very tough decision for me wehther or not to include some of this stuff, but i spoke with my college's health professions advisors as well as the deans of admissions to some great schools and they all said to include it. They mentioned that it is an important form of leadership, that physicians will need to stay on top of political activity as it often affects their practice, and that it shows you're not someone who will back down or is afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Plenty of adcom members probably disagreed with my views, but as long as you discuss the activity and what it meant to you rather than your individual views, it can be done in a very positive and respectful way. Wtih all of these activities on my AMCAS i managed to get 16 interview invites out of 21 schools applied to. So i certainly wouldn't leave anything you felt was important off of your app because you're afraid others won't agree with your politics.

 

[Ahmad007]

Yeah, I would cite it too. But in a way that wouldn't offend people. I would write about the stuff thats positive, like fund raising for McCain and registering people to vote at the university, and stay away from all the offensive things CR does like organizing "Islamofascism week" or protesting affirmative action by selling cookies at different prices to different people.

 

[supposedly]

Yeah, I would cite it too. But in a way that wouldn't offend people. I would write about the stuff thats positive, like fund raising for McCain and registering people to vote at the university, and stay away from all the offensive things CR does like organizing "Islamofascism week" or protesting affirmative action by selling cookies at different prices to different people.

That sounds a bit extreme to me 🙂 We didn't do anything like that, we were too busy working on campaigns for such extracurricular activities...

 

[supposedly]

Plenty of adcom members probably disagreed with my views, but as long as you discuss the activity and what it meant to you rather than your individual views, it can be done in a very positive and respectful way.

That sounds like the most important thing to me. I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Gold 5]

Yeah, I would cite it too. But in a way that wouldn't offend people. I would write about the stuff thats positive, like fund raising for McCain and registering people to vote at the university, and stay away from all the offensive things CR does like organizing "Islamofascism week" or protesting affirmative action by selling cookies at different prices to different people.

This attitude is why I would not bring it up in your app.

 

[decafplease]

Yeah, I would cite it too. But in a way that wouldn't offend people. I would write about the stuff thats positive, like fund raising for McCain and registering people to vote at the university, and stay away from all the offensive things CR does like organizing "Islamofascism week" or protesting affirmative action by selling cookies at different prices to different people.

I'm going to attempt this in a way that won't get me in trouble. Please mind your own business, and stop trying to start a flame war. Keep in mind that approximately half of your patients will be more conservative than you'd like. Perhaps you should try to be more open-minded.

 

[decafplease]

This attitude is why I would not bring it up in your app.

I wouldn't mention CR specifically. Just be vague. No purpose in loosing an acceptance just to prove a point.

 

[nu2004]

personally i wouldn't hold it against you, but you never know who will. i would echo the suggestion of another poster: mention a "campus political group." adcoms and interviewers will recognize the leadership experience and may even give you a mental point for remaining apolitical.

 

[aaj117]

I agree. I wouldn't bring it up. It's posh to be pro-choice and liberal, so that's why people suggested to aaj117 that she include those details. Being conservative (especially in the ivory tower crowd) is dangerous.

I wouldn't mention CR specifically. Just be vague. No purpose in loosing an acceptance just to prove a point.

Are you KIDDING me right now? The dean of admissions at harvard and penn told me to include my activities because it's posh to be a lesbian and to walk girls through lines of protesters going to abortion clinics while people are threatening you and throwing things at you? It's hard to be consevative when talking to a bunch of rich white old doctors? What PLANET are you from? I spent the last four years in one of those ivory towers and i promise you that it was not difficult for a single person their to be conservative. In fact, i've never heard of anyone expressing conservative views being threatened or harmed the way that i have experienced for my views. OH wait, actually i did hear of that once, but then it turned out the person was lying and making up the threat to get more attention, and rescinded their police statement. I guarantee you that admissions committee members did not tell me to put my activities on my app because they were "posh". Similarly, i don't think anyone with actual education who isn't trying to start a flame war thinks of the college republicans as people who spend all there time doing the things that other poster listed above. Raising funds for campaigns, educating other students about how to register to vote and what your candidates stand for, and those types of activities show a devotion to what you're interested in, show leadership and a willingness to educate your peers, and only positive things about you as an applicant.
And once again, i'd like to reiterate that it is not "dangerous" to be conservative in "the ivory tower crowd".

 

[Maxprime]

Back to the OP's question . . .

I don't think it's that big of a deal - most people outside of SDN are sane enough to see someone involved with a different political party without losing it. If you are a good applicant, this won't sink you by any means.

I'd take someone who actually put effort behind their political beliefs over someone who claimed they were of one group or another just to be in the winner's circle.

 

[hermit]

Stay away from all the offensive things CR does like organizing "Islamofascism week" or protesting affirmative action by selling cookies at different prices to different people.

At least their form of protest doesn't involve suicide vests and innocent people.

 

[Vvandenn]

Republican activities? Nah, forget those. But if they were democrat...

 

[decafplease]

Are you KIDDING me right now? The dean of admissions at harvard and penn told me to include my activities because it's posh to be a lesbian and to walk girls through lines of protesters going to abortion clinics while people are threatening you and throwing things at you? It's hard to be consevative when talking to a bunch of rich white old doctors? What PLANET are you from? I spent the last four years in one of those ivory towers and i promise you that it was not difficult for a single person their to be conservative. In fact, i've never heard of anyone expressing conservative views being threatened or harmed the way that i have experienced for my views. OH wait, actually i did hear of that once, but then it turned out the person was lying and making up the threat to get more attention, and rescinded their police statement. I guarantee you that admissions committee members did not tell me to put my activities on my app because they were "posh". Similarly, i don't think anyone with actual education who isn't trying to start a flame war thinks of the college republicans as people who spend all there time doing the things that other poster listed above. Raising funds for campaigns, educating other students about how to register to vote and what your candidates stand for, and those types of activities show a devotion to what you're interested in, show leadership and a willingness to educate your peers, and only positive things about you as an applicant.
And once again, i'd like to reiterate that it is not "dangerous" to be conservative in "the ivory tower crowd".

Holy crap. Sorry. I wasn't attacking you. I live in Northern California where it is posh to be liberal. I should have qualified my statement. If it was that offensive, I'll remove it, okay?

Again, I'm sorry. I had no idea that an offhand comment like that would offend you so deeply. We all have experiences that make us feel singled out or attacked, mine happened to be from liberal that spit on me and threw rotten food because I walked past them in a peaceful demonstration (NOT at an abortion clinic). I'm sorry that I (momentarily) forgot that you might have had that coming at you from my side of the aisle, too. Please don't take it as a personal offense, I meant no harm. Truce?

 

[OCallag]

This post is scary, in that I asked the same thing the same time last year (except I'm a Democrat). I listened to everyone's "If it was important put it on there!" advice and stuck it on there since I was crazy active with my university's club. Don't do what I did.

Anecdotal evidence should always be taken with a grain of salt, but here are my experiences:

Interview #2 of the season

Greeted by my interviewer with a big smile on his face.
Interviewer: Are you that boy that was so active in the University of XXXX Democrats?
<Oh wow he must be enthusiastic about it!>
Me: Haha, yes sir.
Interviewer: I'll try not to hold it against you.

He did. Grilled me all interview long and was generally unpleasant. Bottom 1/3 of the waitlist.


Interview #4 of the season

Interviewer: So, being such a big fan of Democrats, what do you think about Obama? (He had just won ~10 in a row.)
Me: <This time I knew to be more careful.> I'm pretty pleased with him. I'm not sold on some of his stances, but I support him over Hillary and McCain.
Interviewer: So if Iraq turned into an exercise in ethnic cleansing, would you still support Obama and his little withdrawal plan?
Me: Uhhhh...

Granted I was accepted at that second school (and loved it!), but I can't imagine this won me points.

And you're a Republican! It's been debated ad nauseam here as to whether doctors generally lean left or right - we won't discuss that again - but needless to say there are many liberal doctors, especially at universities. It just doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

[OCallag]

Back to the OP's question . . .

I don't think it's that big of a deal - most people outside of SDN are sane enough to see someone involved with a different political party without losing it. If you are a good applicant, this won't sink you by any means.

I'd take someone who actually put effort behind their political beliefs over someone who claimed they were of one group or another just to be in the winner's circle.

You are absolutely right. This is how it SHOULD work. At most places it does. Sometimes it doesn't.

 

[166035]

x

 

[MaryLennox]

i have thought about this too (as a former member of my college democrats 🙂 )

the best thing i did, in my opinion, was getting deputized as a registrar and registering people to vote. and i figure if i just focus on this i can't go wrong. if anyone asks, i'll tell them the truth: i dont care who people vote for, i just want people to vote. i joined a political club to be proactive and set an example. i dont want to tell people what to think, i just try to make them want to think at all. that's hard enough without telling anyone who to vote for! (although if they ask . . . )

but anyway, as far as political clubs at the college level go, i think the most important aspect IS simply trying to get apathetic young people to give a crap. and you can use that spin no matter what crazy politician you may support (just kidding.) but seriously.

 

[nu2004]

The replies along should probably be enough to sway you to not include which party you have been affiliated.

yes and no. most adults are more mature than the group here (shocking, i know). but then again, some are little, petulant children inside...

 

[astrocreep96]

If nothing else, it seems that the interviewers like to see a student with outside interests.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I was very active in the UT chapter of College Whigs. I put this down on my application, and nobody seemed to mind.

 

[Ahmad007]

I'm going to attempt this in a way that won't get me in trouble. Please mind your own business, and stop trying to start a flame war. Keep in mind that approximately half of your patients will be more conservative than you'd like. Perhaps you should try to be more open-minded.

I simply wanted to say that the OP should highlight all of the positive things he has done as a part of CR and not try to mention any of the controversial things they do. This is the same advice I would give to someone who is an advocate or activist for PETA. You have to package it up in a way that you're not leaving anything for their emotion to influence (I'm thinking along the lines of a subconscious decision to 'write you off').

 

[parto123]

Are you KIDDING me right now? The dean of admissions at harvard and penn told me to include my activities because it's posh to be a lesbian and to walk girls through lines of protesters going to abortion clinics while people are threatening you and throwing things at you? It's hard to be consevative when talking to a bunch of rich white old doctors? What PLANET are you from? I spent the last four years in one of those ivory towers and i promise you that it was not difficult for a single person their to be conservative. In fact, i've never heard of anyone expressing conservative views being threatened or harmed the way that i have experienced for my views. OH wait, actually i did hear of that once, but then it turned out the person was lying and making up the threat to get more attention, and rescinded their police statement. I guarantee you that admissions committee members did not tell me to put my activities on my app because they were "posh". Similarly, i don't think anyone with actual education who isn't trying to start a flame war thinks of the college republicans as people who spend all there time doing the things that other poster listed above. Raising funds for campaigns, educating other students about how to register to vote and what your candidates stand for, and those types of activities show a devotion to what you're interested in, show leadership and a willingness to educate your peers, and only positive things about you as an applicant.
And once again, i'd like to reiterate that it is not "dangerous" to be conservative in "the ivory tower crowd".

Well, it may not be "dangerous" (whatever that means) but conservatives are in the overwhelming minority among professors and admission committee members. Its not too far fetched to believe that a portion of academics who make admission decisions will let their biases influence their decision. After all, they are human.

 

[aaj117]

Holy crap. Sorry. I wasn't attacking you. I live in Northern California where it is posh to be liberal. I should have qualified my statement. If it was that offensive, I'll remove it, okay?

Again, I'm sorry. I had no idea that an offhand comment like that would offend you so deeply. We all have experiences that make us feel singled out or attacked, mine happened to be from liberal that spit on me and threw rotten food because I walked past them in a peaceful demonstration (NOT at an abortion clinic). I'm sorry that I (momentarily) forgot that you might have had that coming at you from my side of the aisle, too. Please don't take it as a personal offense, I meant no harm. Truce?

Appology accepted and i'm sorry as well that i overreacted. I've been having a really, really bad week, and last night was kind of the breaking point. I've just often found that some liberal views are often taken less seriously, and people my parents age often think i'm active in such activities for that reason. in fact, i've been coming out to my stepfather for a full ten years now and he still thinks that i'm saying it to "piss him off" and "be cool". So i'm a little oversensitive to it sometimes. Truce definitely accepted and i promise i'll be calmer from now on.

 

[DrBeat]

I recommend that you highlight your involvement in the Affrimitive Action Bake Sale.

 

[decafplease]

Appology accepted and i'm sorry as well that i overreacted. I've been having a really, really bad week, and last night was kind of the breaking point. I've just often found that some liberal views are often taken less seriously, and people my parents age often think i'm active in such activities for that reason. in fact, i've been coming out to my stepfather for a full ten years now and he still thinks that i'm saying it to "piss him off" and "be cool". So i'm a little oversensitive to it sometimes. Truce definitely accepted and i promise i'll be calmer from now on.

No problem. I've taken out some of my frustrations on SDN, too, so I can relate. I'm sorry you're having such difficulty with your stepdad. I certainly didn't mean to imply that your intentions when participating in political activities were to be "cool." Nor do I believe it's easy to be LGBT.

Congrats on all of your interviews and acceptances!