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Writing about drugs/drug policy in a college essay...good or bad?

anonymous1419

anonymous1419

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Feb 29, 2008
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I'm currently a senior in high school and going through the tedious process of applying to various colleges. I was looking through the essay topics for Ohio State and found this one particularly interesting:

"While we all take pride in the many accomplishments and opportunities of our own country, we can also benefit from a better understanding of ideas and practices in other parts of the world. Select a country and describe a policy, approach, or philosophy that might make that country a model for us to seriously consider in the United States. What would it take for this idea to work in the U.S.?"

Of course, the first thing that immediately popped into my head would be the drug policy of a place like the Netherlands (I'm sure someone will say something about how I'm wrong with this next statement, but I'll be honest I don't know too much in depth about the workings of the Dutch government). It just seems that they are much more concerned with harm reduction instead of America's "OMG he has a gram of marijuana in his pocket...take him to jail!". Stupid "crimes" like possession of a small amount of drugs are filling up our prisons and with what benefit? None, as far as I can see.

Do you think this would be an appropriate topic to write about when applying to college? I'm kind of on the fence on this one...I think I could write an awesome essay on this topic but would it send a bad vibe to the admissions officials?
 
For an admission essay? Yeah it probably would be a bad idea. Once you're in and it's for an assignment, then if it's appropriate it would be fine.
 
Is America that bad? That writing on a such a topic would count against your college admission? Sheesh...

If you find the Netherlands as a reference is too liberal, consider somewhere like Australia. While there is still a focus on law & order approaches to reducing supply (and possession charges are of course still law), harm reduction is one of the approaches the Federal Government fund and support.

Good luck and if you do write on drug policy, we'd love to see it :)
 
hoptis said:
Is America that bad? That writing on a such a topic would count against your college admission? Sheesh...
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's that bad.

I seriously wouldn't advise it if you want to be taken seriously and get accepted. As mentioned, save it for another time.
 
Rogue Robot said:
Yeah, it's that bad.

I seriously wouldn't advise it if you want to be taken seriously and get accepted. As mentioned, save it for another time.
Click to expand...

I've been getting this response from tons of people IRL too.
Decided to write on the death penalty instead. 8) I will indeed save the Netherlands (or Australia) for another essay after being accepted though!

Thanks
 
hoptis said:
Is America that bad? That writing on a such a topic would count against your college admission? Sheesh...
Click to expand...

I'm sure you could get away with it, but with competition as intense as it is to get into colleges it would kind of suck if you came across as pro-drug to an anti-drug admissions officer. I doubt it would make a difference, but you never know...
 
IAmJacksUserName said:
I'm sure you could get away with it, but with competition as intense as it is to get into colleges it would kind of suck if you came across as pro-drug to an anti-drug admissions officer. I doubt it would make a difference, but you never know...
Click to expand...

definately^^^

There is a chance that if it was written well and the person reading it was somewhat open minded that it'd be fine. But it's kind of the University's first impression of you and you don't want them to think "pothead." You want them to think bright young individual who will eventually donate millions to the university.:\
 
I think it could be good, as colleges often will be looking for students who think outside the box and propose controversial ideas. But you would have to be very careful with the language, making it clear you think drugs are dangerous and drug use is wrong, and your interest is solely in mitigating the damage.
 
No, I don't think I would go the route of anything controversial for admissions. Once you are in, go for it, but you don't know who is reading your essay. You could impress some pot head administrator or you could be writing to some guy who just lost his son to an OD. It's best not to take the chance.
 
I don't think that this would be appropriate for a college entrance essay. You should remember that many people are prejudiced. However, I advocated socialist revolution on my GRE essay, and they really like it. :)
 
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