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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Op here.  Thank you for your responses. The university in question definitely skews left by all accounts.  However, DD felt a good sense of inclusivity on her tours of the campus something that is important to her as she believes human growth cannot occur if we only surround ourselves with those with whom we agree--a form of confirmation bias.   At first, DD thought the interviewer was simply trying to discern if she was politically informed or if she was capable of thinking on her feet and articulating a position--although there are certainly ways to go about this without asking a stranger something as personal as political affiliation.  DD did an excellent job of responding to this question and the interviewer seemed impressed although it was evident that DD and the interviewer held similar political leanings.  However, it all took a turn for the worse when DD was asked and subsequently responded that she had not participated in the march.  In light of how this discussion (or perhaps better phrased interrogation) transpired, it became evident to her and to those with whom she shared the conversation that this was something more than just a "test" of her ability to think on her feet. Anyone who seriously considers this university understands that it is known for being far left of center.  As DD is herself a progressive she welcomes the social activism.  However, she does not want to attend a university that shuts down diversity of thought and is concerned that this interviewer may be indicative of that line of thinking.  The interviewer said that she had been asked to pose the question of her political leanings (although there was no indication that the follow up questions regarding the march were "official,") and DD is trying to figure out if a university would actually make this a part of their application decision or if it was simply the interviewer (alumni) taking it upon herself to insert her own standards to the process.  In DD's estimation the first would be a problem and the second, while offensive would should not factor into her decision. It really has clouded her views of the university as none of us would relish being criticized in this manner especially when there is an imbalance of power between the two people.  [/quote]

I think that your daughter should trust her personal impressions of the university over the conversational style of an alum who interviewed her. I also think that your daughter needs to recognize that even in a university that values political diversity and discourse, there will be people who disagree with her. Part of college is learning how to have those conversations in a civil manner. There is no way to do that if those conversations are not permitted to occur in the first place.[/quote]  There is a big difference between a willingness to discuss differences of opinions (as the applicant in question most definitely is seeking which is why she does not want to attend a university that excludes anyone based upon their political views even those with whom she disagrees) and asking a question in a application process that is a landmine potentially indicating a desire to exclude certain groups  and has nothing to do with the student's qualifications.[/quote]

I don't see any evidence in your long-winded posts (paragraphs, please) that indicates that your daughter will be excluded based on her answer to this question.[/quote]

I disagree with PP.   The way I read it you inferred that the interview took a turn for the worse after the question about attending the march.  I think the alum could definitely come away from the conversation with a negative perception and convey that in any way they want to the school.    However, I would not have your daughter contact the school about this before decisions are sent out.   If she doesn't get in I believe you can request more info from the school.  I would wait until after the decision and have her write something to the admissions office voicing her concern about this inappropriate line of questioning.  Doing it before the decision seems a greater gamble on it turning out badly then doing it after.  [/quote]

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