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Best Practices for MBA Admissions Webinar
Are you applying for an MBA this fall? Are you wondering how to best present yourself? If so, then the Best Practices for MBA Admissions FREE webinar is for you. During the webinar, Linda Abraham will teach you the four pillars for a successful MBA application, in addition to covering other aspects of the application process.
The webinar will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET/5:00 PM GMT. Take advantage of this great opportunity and register today!

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Essay Tip

Religion and Politics: Controversial Topics, but Sometimes Too Important to Avoid

"Shouldn't I just steer clear of religion and politics in my personal statement? They're controversial subjects, today more than ever."

Not necessarily. By their nature, religion and politics are deeply significant to many people, and thus the focus of their non-professional activities. For such applicants, discussing their religion or politics may help them create a compelling, distinctive profile.

There is a wrong way and a right way to address politics and religion in essays. Wrong way: Preaching. Essays and personal statements are not the place to make theological, political, or philosophical arguments.

Right way: Focus on the activities in which your political or religious interest has inspired you to participate. Like all applicants, you want to demonstrate initiative, communication and teamwork skills, leadership, and commitment to constructive goals. Your political or religious activities are one major way that you actualize these qualities. When you write about your activities, use details and anecdotes to create a vivid picture of your impact. And enhance your discussion of what you did and what you accomplished with the insight you gained from the experience. Finally, you represent yourself in your essays, not your religion or political party. In your discussion, apply your own critical judgment and analysis. The admissions committee wants to see your thought process at work, not your ability to adhere to the party line. Someone who is an independent thinker and still remains committed will appear mature, whereas someone who seems to need blinders in order to act on commitment may produce the opposite impression.

For some applicants, the "story" of the evolution of their religious faith or political ideals is also good essay material. For example, if your parents are passionate "sixties liberals" and you became a politically active conservative during college, it could make an intriguing narrative. In such cases, focus on the challenges the change presented, how you handled those challenges, and what you learned in the process.

There is a bonus for applicants who effectively discuss their religion or politics: You show that you face up to the difficult issues of the time, and that you handle those issues with tact and maturity.

Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com

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