Would this be controversial?

[appletree321]

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For a secondary question which asks how I've come to appreciate other cultures, I'm thinking of including a visit to the Islamic Mosque open house.

With ISIS and everything that is going on right now, would this be received negatively?

Just to note, this post means no offense. I'm just being neurotic...

 

[mk2015]

I highly doubt it. I think it's a great topic actually. The only people who equate Islam and terrorism are insanely culturally ignorant.

 

[Grace184]

I highly doubt it. I think it's a great topic actually. The only people who equate Islam and terrorism are insanely culturally ignorant.

I do agree, but they are out there, especially with the recent attack wounding marines on US soil. I do urge you to be cautious and examine your school list. It CAN be a possibly touchy subject. Ignorance abounds, whether we hope and pray it doesn't, unfortunately. I'm not at all saying I share this sentiment, but it only takes one adcom/reader to ret it aside.

 

[mk2015]

I do agree, but they are out there, especially with the recent attack wounding marines on US soil. I do urge you to be cautious and examine your school list. It CAN be a possibly touchy subject. Ignorance abounds, whether we hope and pray it doesn't, unfortunately. I'm not at all saying I share this sentiment, but it only takes one adcom/reader to ret it aside.

You're absolutely correct. I suppose my hope is that these are not the people that are on the admissions committees of professional schools.

 

[Grace184]

You're absolutely correct. I suppose my hope is that these are not the people that are on the admissions committees of professional schools.

Unfortunately they are people too, professional or not. Whether they may outright say something is one thing, but quietly setting an app aside is another. If it weren't for the recent events (you never know who's right wing or a Fox News a Fan, former military etc) I would say do it but still cautiously.

At this time though, my gut says "too soon." It may come off to some as a political topic, which it kind of is at the moment as its on every channel and being addressed by every politician.

I just want OP to have a fair shot- that's my only true concern. OP write about what you feel is true in your heart. If it is this topic, know some possible outcomes involved due to ignorance.

 

[Salt Salt]

I think people are overestimating the chances of this being taken negatively. In fact, I don't see why the question "How have you come to appreciate other cultures?" could even be asked if they were going to be islamophobic in reading them. It just doesn't make sense.

 

[WedgeDawg]

OP this is 100% fine.

 

[beeboops]

OP, I think this is a great topic, and if an adcom is going to trash your application because of this, then you don't really want to be at that school anyways.

 

[Goro]

Take a deep breath, and chill. The subject is fine, except maybe not for LUCOM or Loma Linda.

For a secondary question which asks how I've come to appreciate other cultures, I'm thinking of including a visit to the Islamic Mosque open house.

With ISIS and everything that is going on right now, would this be received negatively?

Just to note, this post means no offense. I'm just being neurotic...

 

[appletree321]

Thanks all.
The school is in a slightly rural location , located in a conservative, Republican state.

 

[genericpremedstudent]

honestly though, if your best example of appreciating other cultures is a single visit to a mosque, you need to get out more.

 

[appletree321]

honestly though, if your best example of appreciating other cultures is a single visit to a mosque, you need to get out more.

haha, no it's not. This was just for a project I did in my class so I thought I'd include it as an example of what I learned.

 

[ortnakas]

Thanks all.
The school is in a slightly rural location , located in a conservative, Republican state.

If you feel strongly about the topic I wouldn't let the school's location stop you; obviously, not all Muslims are terrorists. It follows that not all Republicans (or more accurately, residents of a red-leaning state) are Islamophobic. That said, I don't think it's controversial, but I agree with genericpremedstudent-- I don't know if it's a strong example of cultural appreciation by itself.

 

[SuperSlim]

MY FREAKING LIFE. im muslim.

 

[Holmwood]

Just explain somewhere about how your background is beneficial/relevant to your work as a doctor. And maybe recounting some hospital experience with different cultures if possible.


I've met some Muslim patients who've starved for a day or two because the hospital didn't care to ask them if they could eat pork. No bueno.

 

[appletree321]

Hey guys trust me, I'm fine in the cultural department.
This obviously will not be the main focus of my essay lol

In the end I wrote something along the lines of being open minded and just one sentence of how such values would be beneficial. Hopefully that's enough :/ I didn't stress on the doctor part in my essay.