Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of hatred towards Christians right now so if you can leave it off of your applications then you don't run the risk of being negatively judged. Same thing if you volunteer or work with right-leaning political organizations.

We are taught about implicit biases- take what you are taught to heart- and understand that your application will be negatively received.

+100

I have no idea what Young Life is or whether it’s a red flag. If the activities are helping the poor, the elderly, community then by all means list these. If the activities are service missions into Latin America to convert Catholics then no way! If the activities are protesting against gay people, bombing abortion clinics, harassing immigrants then no way! If the activities are training for a Christian militia then no way!

There is a lot of hatred towards Christians right now so if you can leave it off of your applications then you don't run the risk of being negatively judged. Same thing if you volunteer or work with right-leaning political organizations.

We are taught about implicit biases- take what you are taught to heart- and understand that your application will be negatively received.

Anonymous wrote:Colleges in the South or the rest of flyover country will view young life as a plus. Rest of the U.S.: it’s a red flag.

Our college counselor said to avoid any mention of church on any application as it would be seen as a red flag.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges in the South or the rest of flyover country will view young life as a plus. Rest of the U.S.: it’s a red flag.

The private T50 will likely view your daughter as an indoctrinated cristo-fascist .

Did you not even bother to read previous posts, which stated that applicants with Young Life listed as an EC were accepted at multiple T20s? Don't impute your bias to others.

Anonymous wrote:Colleges in the South or the rest of flyover country will view young life as a plus. Rest of the U.S.: it’s a red flag.

The private T50 will likely view your daughter as an indoctrinated cristo-fascist .

My DC was admitted to 2 Ivies and 4 other top20 schools this year with church youth group leadership and Youth Life on their application under the activity section.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges in the South or the rest of flyover country will view young life as a plus. Rest of the U.S.: it’s a red flag.

What? Is the red flag that she’s a young Christian?

This poster is crazy. It’s an activity. List it.

One way to look at it is - are there campus Christian groups at the target school? If so, then being in Young Life shows she'll be joining those, or similar. I thought schools wanted kids who would round out the community.

There are campus Christian groups at every school.

Focus on WHAT you did, not WHERE you did it when it comes to religion or politics related ECs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the schools she's targeting. Schools that are more conservative will have no problem with Church ECs, even Young Life.

No it doesn't. Even the top tier schools MAGA wants to paint as "leftist," value students with strong faith roots. That is the point of emphasizing diversity, to have varying perspectives and make the campus a richer place.

Mine discussed their Christian faith and accepted to multiple T20.

Agree. I am in the upper Midwest on a PTA scholarship committee. Church/temple/religious commitments are considered the same as other significant extracurricular commitments. All faith involvement is equal. It's not my place to have any reaction related to the doctrines of these faiths. I am not familiar with Young Life and even if it's hyper-conservative that's not my business. It's true that it's more impressive if the activities have a community service focus (benefit others instead of diverting oneself).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges in the South or the rest of flyover country will view young life as a plus. Rest of the U.S.: it’s a red flag.

What? Is the red flag that she’s a young Christian?

This poster is crazy. It’s an activity. List it.

One way to look at it is - are there campus Christian groups at the target school? If so, then being in Young Life shows she'll be joining those, or similar. I thought schools wanted kids who would round out the community.

Fine for those schools.

I also know two who got into Harvard with tons of young life/church stuff in their app. It’s probably a plus at Ivies because it makes them a minority. Of course, now that DEI is dead, maybe that’s no longer true.

Regardless of the church component, ECs are fine if very average. Stats will determine admission in this case.

Try to tie it into helping minorities of some sort.

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the schools she's targeting. Schools that are more conservative will have no problem with Church ECs, even Young Life.

No it doesn't. Even the top tier schools MAGA wants to paint as "leftist," value students with strong faith roots. That is the point of emphasizing diversity, to have varying perspectives and make the campus a richer place.

Mine discussed their Christian faith and accepted to multiple T20.