Undergrad question

[bushido]

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Okay, so I know SDN probably isn't the right place to post about this because it has to do with undergrad, but this is more of a question for ADCOMS since you guys have experience reading and interpreting applications.

I'm applying to transfer to the University of Miami to finish my undergrad, and I'm currently in the process of writing my personal statement required by the school. The prompt is simple, you have to write about your reasons for transferring.

Here's my question:

One of the reasons I want to transfer to UM is the fact that it is only 1 of 2 schools in the US with an Atheism research department, with its own chair and everything. My issue is, do you guys think that by writing about my atheism, and my desire to be a part of the research program, I risk my application being thrown out by a religious individual in charge of admissions? I know it may seem like an outlandish question, but discrimination against atheists is a real thing since we are the minority in terms of religious beliefs, and I feel like you can never be too careful about what you say. Do you guys think I should just write it, or find another reason?

Sorry for posting this on SDN, but college confidential never answers anything on their forums and you all always give solid advice.

My other reasons include their premedical program and the increase in chances of being admitted to the UMiami medical school as a UM grad.

 

[nobaddays]

So they ask you why you want to go there, and you're considering not including one of your primary motivations for wanting to go there?! If the people reading those personal statements were devoted to their religion enough to throw out applications from Atheists they probably wouldn't be working at "only 1 of 2 schools in the US with an Atheism research department".

 

[LizzyM]

I would think that schools would want to admit someone who is attracted to a program offered by that school, even if the reviewer is not of a like mind in terms of the philosophy of the program/department.

 

[bushido]

Thanks for your responses! Probably just worrying for nothing. Overthinking is a killer 🙄

 

[Goro]

Okay, so I know SDN probably isn't the right place to post about this because it has to do with undergrad, but this is more of a question for ADCOMS since you guys have experience reading and interpreting applications.

I'm applying to transfer to the University of Miami to finish my undergrad, and I'm currently in the process of writing my personal statement required by the school. The prompt is simple, you have to write about your reasons for transferring.

Here's my question:

One of the reasons I want to transfer to UM is the fact that it is only 1 of 2 schools in the US with an Atheism research department, with its own chair and everything. My issue is, do you guys think that by writing about my atheism, and my desire to be a part of the research program, I risk my application being thrown out by a religious individual in charge of admissions? I know it may seem like an outlandish question, but discrimination against atheists is a real thing since we are the minority in terms of religious beliefs, and I feel like you can never be too careful about what you say. Do you guys think I should just write it, or find another reason?

Sorry for posting this on SDN, but college confidential never answers anything on their forums and you all always give solid advice.

My other reasons include their premedical program and the increase in chances of being admitted to the UMiami medical school as a UM grad.

No, unless you're applying to Loma Linda or LUCOM, I don't think your app would be tossed by your religious beliefs or lack thereof.

What would get your app tossed in the way you phrase why you're going to U Miami. Zealotry is never a positive.

Being asked you you transferred is a rare question for a candidate. You could always state truthfully that you liked the work of Drs Jones, Smith and Wesson, and leave it at that, or list any of the other positive attributes of Miami proper, or UM instead.

 

[Catalystik]

One of the reasons I want to transfer to UM is the fact that it is only 1 of 2 schools in the US with an Atheism research department, with its own chair and everything. My issue is, do you guys think that by writing about my atheism, and my desire to be a part of the research program, I risk my application being thrown out by a religious individual in charge of admissions?

I'm not clear on why you feel you need to share your personal views on atheism. It's not a requirement for an interest in research on the topic. If you feel you would be discriminated against based on your personal beliefs, you have the option of spinning your interest to be based on more neutral reasons.

You could always state truthfully that you liked the work of Drs Jones, Smith and Wesson, and leave it at that,

Exactly!

 

[bushido]

Being asked you you transferred is a rare question for a candidate. You could always state truthfully that you liked the work of Drs Jones, Smith and Wesson, and leave it at that, or list any of the other positive attributes of Miami proper, or UM instead.

So basically, stay away from describing how they’re better in a certain category, and just explain why the schools attributes make them a better fit in my eyes?

I'm not clear on why you feel you need to share your personal views on atheism. It's not a requirement for an interest in research on the topic. If you feel you would be discriminated against based on your personal beliefs, you have the option of spinning your interest to be based on more neutral reasons.
Exactly!

I want planning on going too in depth into my beliefs, just briefly stating them and explaining why I’m interested in that specific department. I see what you mean though, writing about my interest from a neutral standpoint. Thanks for the idea, I hadn’t thought about approaching it from that angle

 

[Goro]

So basically, stay away from describing how they’re better in a certain category, and just explain why the schools attributes make them a better fit in my eyes?

Yup. And it's OK to be pious, but wearing one's beliefs on one's sleeves is never a good idea.

 

[bushido]

Yup. And it's OK to be pious, but wearing one's beliefs on one's sleeves is never a good idea.

Thanks for the advice! This is the first PS I’ve ever written so I wasn’t sure about the approach.

 

[LizzyM]

Turn this around. Imagine you were applying to a non-sectarian school with a Near Eastern and Judaic studies department that interested you. Do you think you would need to say in the application that you were Jewish? or that you were not Jewish? I do think that just stating that you are interested in the work being done in the institute/program is sufficient without getting into your own belief system.

 

[bushido]

Turn this around. Imagine you were applying to a non-sectarian school with a Near Eastern and Judaic studies department that interested you. Do you think you would need to say in the application that you were Jewish? or that you were not Jewish? I do think that just stating that you are interested in the work being done in the institute/program is sufficient without getting into your own belief system.

True, no need to even mention it, really. Thanks for that perspective!