should you write about god in your college essay

Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?

Here’s another key tip to keep in mind for your college applications, from College Essay Guy Ethan Sawyer!

The short answer is this: it’s okay to discuss religion in your essay as long as the take-away (or values) promoted in the essay are universal. Here’s what I mean:

In the past, I’ve had students write essay drafts that end with something like, “Since accepting Christ (or) learning to meditate (or) converting to Judaism, I’ve made it my goal to tell others about the difference that Christ/meditation/Judaism can make in their lives.” I call this the “missionary” essay. And it can be off-putting to readers, particularly to those who don’t share your religious beliefs (which, statistically speaking, is likely).

Instead, discuss the values you gained through your religion. How?  

Step 1: Take a look at this Values List and ask yourself: what values have I gained through my religion?

Examples: “Getting used to wearing a turban in ninth grade helped increase my self-confidence and, interestingly, my grades went up that year!” (or) “Feeling judged by my youth group leader helped me better understand how my friend must have been feeling about me; I realized I was essentially doing the same thing to her.”

Check out the values displayed in those sentences: self-confidence and empathy. Nice! And anyone, no matter the religion or belief system, can get on board with those.  

Step 2: Make sure the values you’re discussing are non-obvious and specific. Obvious connections lead to boring essays.

Examples: “Playing in the band at church helped me learn the value of working with others” (seen it!) (or) “Volunteering at our mosque helped me develop myself personally” (super vague–say how!).  

Step 3: Get feedback from someone who does not share your religious belief. Once s/he has read the essay, ask the person: do you feel closer to me after having read that? If the answer isn’t “Yes,” or even if the person hesitates before responding, ask, “What would help you feel closer to me?”  

Step 4: Listen with your entire being. Stay curious about his/her feedback to you.  

Step 5: Thank the person and go back to the drawing board.  

Because you are creative and original and you have something important to communicate.

For more personal statement help, check out www.collegeessayguy.com .

This post was written by a friend of Magoosh.

View all posts

More from Magoosh

3 responses to “Should I Mention My Religion in My College Essay?”

I was wondering if writing about struggles with religion would be appropriate. My topic is trying balance christianity and my sexuality, and I was wondering how exactly I should frame that, if even write about it at all.

Hi Isaac, our expertise is in test prep, not admissions advice, so I first have to say that I’m not an expert in this topic. This is also an very personal topic that you should make sure you feel comfortable writing about, and keep in mind that you will probably want to have others proofread and critique your essay. That being said, you can definitely write a strong essay about balancing your sexuality and religion using the guidelines in this blog post. It sounds like this is a big part of your identity, and your personal statement is all about letting your personality, strengths, and introspective abilities shine.

Interesting!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Best Bible Resources For Christians

• Bible Facts
• Christian Life
• Read the Bible

Home > Christian Resources > Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Christian Resources

Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Modified: January 9, 2024

Written by: Daniel Gallik

Peter Smith, Editorial Director at Christian.net, combines deep insights into faith, politics, and culture to lead content creation that resonates widely. Awarded for his contributions to religious discourse, he previously headed a major organization for religious communicators, enhancing dialogue on faith's societal impacts.

Wonder how to write an amazing religion essay for collage? Here's a guideline that covers the basis of what to write and how to write.

• bible facts
• religion essays

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Christian.net, at no extra cost. Learn more )

Are you a college student wondering how to write the perfect essay on religion? If yes, read on and find all that you need to know about writing a religion essay. This article will cover the basics and all you need to know about writing an excellent essay piece on religion.

What is a Religion Essay

Image by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Well, religion essays are a kind of paper that relates to religion, belief, and faith. 

In college, many students will be required to write a few essays on religion. Students typically struggle with writing assignments of this nature since they haven’t learned how to write professionally. After all, religion is a highly personal subject, and objective discussions about religion can be particularly difficult and generally mind-boggling. 

As a result of this, many students prefer outsourcing their writing assignments on religion to a custom essay writing service like Edubirdie. On this “write an essay for me” platform, there are plenty of professional writers for you to choose from with guaranteed transparency on their profiles and reviews. After reviewing, you can simply choose a writer and you will have your essay delivered in no time. 

On the other hand, some students prefer completing such religious essays themselves to improve their writing. If you fall under this category we’ve put together some tips for you. for you to ace your religion essay.

Read more : Cultural Sensitivity in Student Essays about Religion

Tip 1: Choosing a Topic for a Religion Essay

Image by Keenan Beasley on Unsplash

Consider a topic that interests you, one that piques your curiosity . Though it’s said that curiosity kills the cat, it’s a much-needed drive in essays, especially ones that deal with theology and mind-boggling ideas. H aving an interest as your personal pedestal throughout is effective for your research and writing.

A contentious issue would make a fantastic topic for a religion essay because it means it’s a topic of interest to people and it gives room and framework to your arguments. An example can be whether hell is a truth or a myth . You can decide to look into where a particular religious idea came from and employ background information and opposing points of view to present your argument. Whatever the topic, always use the most reliable sources you can to back up your claims.

Next, contemplate what your stance is towards the issue and start to build your case around it. Are you for it or against it? Should this topic even be contentious in the first place? Are there other points that should be contended besides what has already been debated? Usually, a great religious essay identifies the issue and has tight arguments to support the thesis. But, an amazing essay is one that brings in a fresh perspective that’s been rarely discussed in class. So, work around that.

This step is usually the toughest, but once you’ve passed through it, the rest of the work is a breeze.

Tip 2: How to Write an Introduction for a Religion Essay

Image by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

Prepare your notes and an overview of your case before beginning to write the introduction. In contrast to creative writing , the reader expects your thesis statement and facts up front in an essay. Because of this, seasoned writers advise pupils to read more books and develop their own points of view. But occasionally it can be advantageous to grab an idea from someone who wrote it before you. It’s catchy and demonstrates your familiarity with the subject. The reader should have a clear understanding of what to anticipate from the article from the beginning.

How can you create a strong essay introduction? The components of a strong introduction are numerous such as some background information, a thesis statement, a purpose statement, and a summary of what’s to be covered. Essentially, your introduction is your first impression and a blueprint of what the entire essay will be. 

The topic and focus of the essay, as well as a few other important concepts, should be covered in the first paragraph. Along with the thesis, it should also give background details and the context of the argument. It should also describe the essay’s structure, which is outlined in the last paragraph. The importance of the introduction increases as the essay gets longer. Even though it may appear tedious, just like any first impression, the introduction is an important component of any paper. 

Tip 3: How to Write the Body of a Religion Essay

Image by green chameleon on Unsplash

Introduce the basic tenets and principles of the religion you’re addressing in the major body of your essay. Then, you should investigate the crucial components of the tradition. What are its core ideals and beliefs? What role does it play in society? How is it relevant in our current world? Textual support must be provided because this is an excellent approach to capturing your readers’ interest.

The promise you made in your introduction should be fulfilled in the body of your essay. Make sure to add new proof to the main argument of each paragraph in the body of your essay. Each paragraph should be concluded with a sentence that emphasizes the importance of the argument and connects it to the following one.

Tip 4: How to Write the Conclusion Section for a Religion Essay

Image by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Your conclusion is a paragraph (or two) of concluding remarks that demonstrate the points you’ve made are still true and worth considering . Think of it as a final impression you make on the readers, you’d want to make yourself memorable Additionally, it should demonstrate that the arguments you made in the essay’s main body are supported by relevant evidence.

A great conclusion is also one that highlights the significance of your points and directs readers toward the best course of action for the future. This shows that you aren’t just someone who debates but someone who is also willing to try and better the situation.  Keep in mind that your final chance to convince or impress your audience is the conclusion.

Read more : Christian Blogs To Follow Before Writing a Religious Essay

Tip 5: Find Proofreaders

Image by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

If I’d learned anything through my years of college essays, it’s to get people to proofread your essay. They are your safety nets. I’d usually find a coursemate or someone from my class to proofread. They are valuable second pairs of eyes to help you spot grammar mistakes but also in concepts that you may have applied. Next, find a friend that’s not from your course or class because they are an accurate assessment of how clear and cohesive your essay is. If they can understand what you’re writing, you can be sure that half the battle is already won.

Was this page helpful?

How Dale Partridge Built Relearn.org to Strengthen Theological Literacy

The Spiritual Journey to Rome: A Christian Perspective on Visiting the Pantheon

Events and Celebrations of the Jubilee 2025: Schedule and Details

15 St Bernadette Prayers

What Are Godparents Responsibilities For Baptism

Latest articles.

What Do You Say When You Give Communion

Written By: Daniel Gallik

Do Baptist Believe You Go Straight To Heaven When You Die

What Does Advent Mean In The Catholic Religion

The Truth About A Good Christian Leadership

50 Great Bible Verses About Worship

Related post.

By: Susan Kearney  •  Christian Resources

By: Taylor McKittrick  •  Christian Resources

By:  •  Christian Resources

By: Mark Waite  •  Christian Resources

By: Alexa Dark  •  Christian Resources

By: Kor Adana  •  Christian Resources

By: Daniel Gallik  •  Christian Resources

By: Karen Herndon  •  Christian Resources

By: Andy Reece  •  Christian Resources

Please accept our Privacy Policy.

CHRISTIAN.NET uses cookies to improve your experience and to show you personalized ads. Please review our privacy policy by clicking here .

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Watch CBS News

10 topics to avoid in a college admission essay

By Lynn O'Shaughnessy

June 21, 2013 / 8:12 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

(MoneyWatch) For students who are applying for college, one of the scariest parts of the admission process is writing the dreaded essay.

A common mistake that students make when tackling their college essays is to pick the wrong topics. It's a huge turn off, for instance, when applicants write about their sports exploits or their pets. I asked Janine Robinson, who is the creator of a wonderful website called Essay Hell and the author of an excellent ebook entitled " Escape Essay Hell ," to identify those essay topics that teenagers should absolutely avoid.

• 5 tips for writing a winning college essay
• 5 myths about getting in and paying for college
• 10 great opening lines from Stanford admission essays

Here are Robinson's college essay no-no's:

1. Listing accomplishments. You might be the most amazing person on the planet, but nobody wants a recitation of the wonderful things you've done, the people you've encountered and the places you've visited.

2. Sports. Do you know how many millions of teens have written about scoring the winning goal, basket or run? You definitely don't want to write about your winning team. And nobody wants to read about your losing team, either.

3. Sharing how lucky you are. If you are one of the lucky teenagers who has grown up in an affluent household, with all the perks that goes with it, no need to share that with college admission officials. "The last thing anyone wants to read about is your ski trip to Aspen or your hot oil massage at a fancy resort," Robinson observed.

4. Writing an "un-essay." Many students, particularly some of the brightest ones, have a negative reaction to the strictures of the admission essay. In response, Robinson says, "They want to write in stream-of-consciousness or be sarcastic, and I totally understand this reaction. However, you must remember your goal with these essays -- to get accepted! Save the radical expression for after you get into college."

5. Inflammatory topics. It's unwise to write about politics or religion, two of the most polarizing topics. Avoid any topics that make people angry.

6. Illegal activity. Do not write about drug use, drinking and driving, arrests or jail time. Also leave your sexual activities out of the frame. Even if you have abandoned your reckless ways, don't bring it up.

7. Do-good experiences. Schools do not want to hear about your church or school trip to another country or region to help the disadvantaged. You may be able to write about a trip like this only if you focus on a specific experience within the broader trip.

8. The most important thing or person in my life. This topic is too broad and too loaded, whether you want to write about God, your mom or best friend. These essays are usually painfully boring. 

9. Death, divorce, tragedies. The problem with these topics is not that they are depressing, but that such powerful topics can be challenging to write about. Absolutely no pet stories -- admission officers hate them.

10. Humor. A story within a college essay can be amusing, but don't try to make the entire essay funny.

View all articles by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on CBS MoneyWatch» Lynn O'Shaughnessy is a best-selling author, consultant and speaker on issues that parents with college-bound teenagers face. She explains how families can make college more affordable through her website TheCollegeSolution.com ; her financial workbook, Shrinking the Cost of College ; and the new second edition of her Amazon best-selling book, The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price .

More from CBS News

Should "God" Appear in an Application Essay?

<p>Just to clarify, I’m no radical conservative (I’m liberal on almost any policy that intertwines religion in the conservative counterargument in fact), but I had an idea for an essay that would force me to mention God several times in it. My idea is as follows: I have this quirky habit of not directly asking God for a positive outcome on my behalf. For instance, while my parents might encourage me to pray before taking an important test (SATs ugh), I personally refuse to ask for that high score. I want to make this my essay topic, therefore, because it reveals what I find is one of my defining traits: my belief that the individual is entirely responsible for the course and direct consequences of his/her life. Of course, this is a deeply personal issue and, as it does in fact have very religious undertones, I’m wary about using it. Anyway, what do you guys think?</p>

<p>Sounds good. Just make sure it’s not a rant; it’s a personal statement.</p>

<p>I think if you are a person of faith and someone asks you to write about yourself, there is a good chance God is going to be in there somewhere. It is completely ok as long as it is personal not a sermon. Happy writing!</p>

<p>Just have a second essay prepared in case you want to apply to any Catholic schools.</p>

<p>Can you state these views positively without directly (or even impliedly) criticizing the religious views of others?</p>

<p>Well, thx for all the replies and lol @ BronxBombers. To answer Hunt: I suppose I could minimize the use of religion so as not to offend. The problem is that some people get riled up when they see the word “God” so it’s more a matter of who’s reading it I think.</p>

<p>Following up on Hunt’s thought–the target imo is to say good things about your viewpoints and practices, and to avoid saying bad things about those of others.</p>

<p>It’s fine imo to write a personal essay about your religion, but it would be inappropriate and unhelpful in my view to be contentious about it, or to criticize the religions of others.</p>

<p>“it’s more a matter of who’s reading it I think”</p>

<p>Exactly. The adcom reading your essay may or may not agree with your viewpoint. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t express it, but be careful in how you express. Show it to somebody that you know has a different viewpoint.</p>

<p>Here’s what I think (and I’m by no means an expert, this is just conjecture and opinion, heh). It doesn’t matter whether or not “God” appears in your essay. What matters is whether “you” appear in your essay.</p>

Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

Want free help with your college essay?

UPchieve connects you with knowledgeable and friendly college advisors—online, 24/7, and completely free. Get 1:1 help brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, revising a draft, or editing grammar.

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

Taking your college essay to the next level

Hear an admissions expert discuss the appropriate level of depth necessary in your college essay.

Student Stories

Student Story: Admissions essay about a formative experience

Get the perspective of a current college student on how he approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about personal identity

Get the perspective of a current college student on how she approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about community impact

Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org.

This site uses various technologies, as described in our Privacy Policy, for personalization, measuring website use/performance, and targeted advertising, which may include storing and sharing information about your site visit with third parties. By continuing to use this website you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Enter your email to unlock an extra $25 off an sat or act program, by submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., crafting an unforgettable college essay.

Most selective colleges require you to submit an essay or personal statement as part of your application.

It may sound like a chore, and it will certainly take a substantial amount of work. But it's also a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time. Admissions committees put the most weight on your high school grades and your test scores . However, selective colleges receive applications from many worthy students with similar scores and grades—too many to admit. So they use your essay, along with your letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities , to find out what sets you apart from the other talented candidates.

Telling Your Story to Colleges

So what does set you apart?

You have a unique background, interests and personality. This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it). The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.

Admissions officers have to read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are forgettable. Many students try to sound smart rather than sounding like themselves. Others write about a subject that they don't care about, but that they think will impress admissions officers.

You don't need to have started your own business or have spent the summer hiking the Appalachian Trail. Colleges are simply looking for thoughtful, motivated students who will add something to the first-year class.

Tips for a Stellar College Application Essay

1. write about something that's important to you..

It could be an experience, a person, a book—anything that has had an impact on your life. 

2. Don't just recount—reflect! 

Anyone can write about how they won the big game or the summer they spent in Rome. When recalling these events, you need to give more than the play-by-play or itinerary. Describe what you learned from the experience and how it changed you.

Free SAT Practice Tests & Events

Evaluate and improve your SAT score.

3. Being funny is tough.

A student who can make an admissions officer laugh never gets lost in the shuffle. But beware. What you think is funny and what an adult working in a college thinks is funny are probably different. We caution against one-liners, limericks and anything off–color.

4. Start early and write several drafts.

Set it aside for a few days and read it again. Put yourself in the shoes of an admissions officer: Is the essay interesting? Do the ideas flow logically? Does it reveal something about the applicant? Is it written in the applicant’s own voice?

5. No repeats.

What you write in your application essay or personal statement should not contradict any other part of your application–nor should it repeat it. This isn't the place to list your awards or discuss your grades or test scores.

6. Answer the question being asked.

Don't reuse an answer to a similar question from another application.

7. Have at least one other person edit your essay.

A teacher or college counselor is your best resource. And before you send it off, check, check again, and then triple check to make sure your essay is free of spelling or grammar errors.

Read More: 2018-2019 Common Application Essay Prompts (and How to Answer Them)

Test Your College Knowledge

How well do you understand the college admissions process? Find out with our quiz.

Take the Quiz

Explore Colleges For You

Connect with our featured colleges to find schools that both match your interests and are looking for students like you.

Career Quiz

Take our short quiz to learn which is the right career for you.

Get Started on Athletic Scholarships & Recruiting!

Join athletes who were discovered, recruited & often received scholarships after connecting with NCSA's 42,000 strong network of coaches.

Best 389 Colleges

165,000 students rate everything from their professors to their campus social scene.

SAT Prep Courses

1400+ course, act prep courses, free sat practice test & events,  1-800-2review, free digital sat prep try our self-paced plus program - for free, get a 14 day trial.

Free MCAT Practice Test

I already know my score.

MCAT Self-Paced 14-Day Free Trial

Enrollment Advisor

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 1

1-877-LEARN-30

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET

Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

Student Support

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 2

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM ET

Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

Partnerships

• Teach or Tutor for Us

College Readiness

International

Advertising

Affiliate/Other

• Enrollment Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility
• Cigna Medical Transparency in Coverage

Register Book

Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

• SAT Subject Tests

Academic Subjects

• Social Studies

Find the Right College

• College Rankings
• College Advice
• Applying to College
• Financial Aid

School & District Partnerships

• Professional Development
• Advice Articles
• Private Tutoring
• Mobile Apps
• International Offices
• Work for Us
• Affiliate Program
• Partner with Us
• Advertise with Us
• International Partnerships
• Our Guarantees
• Accessibility – Canada

Privacy Policy | CA Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Your Opt-Out Rights | Terms of Use | Site Map

©2024 TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University

TPR Education, LLC (doing business as “The Princeton Review”) is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, a firm owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

Should I write about religion in college app essays? Answered

I am considering writing an essay about my challenge of the notion you can't be gay and Christian through personal experiences. However, I am concerned that there may be a stigma against my application if I decide to write about said experience.

After my last trip to New Mexico, I took a new look at my life, rethought a lot of things, and I'm sure that this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't contacted psychics before the trip. Well, I found psychic readings out of interest, accidentally stumbling upon the best platforms in the article outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/5-best-psychic-reading-sites-for-accurate-readings-news-278951, without any expectations. However, it changed my life a lot.

Earn karma by helping others:

I don't think it's a bad topic but you need to make sure you don't come off as overly negative. It could be a very inspiring essay or it could be very generic. I think if you dig into specific experiences that you've had with sexuality and religion then it will turn out well. Just don't generalize it towards Christianity as a whole because a lot of Christian sects embrace it. The notion that you can't be gay and Christian is usually perpetuated by more conservative sects and people who aren't Christian and don't know what they're talking about. Just be careful to be specific to your experience and avoid being too broad and I think it will be appreciated.

I'd also consider for a minute what I think the other answer is trying to say, which is that you should make sure this is a part of your identity. If you know that your religion and experience is a major part of who you are, then colleges will want to hear about it. However, if you were raised Christian but you don't consider it a big part of your life, maybe reconsider.

catholic, sorry... but thank you!

@cp839 's answer is good, but to add to it, consider the colleges that you're applying to. All colleges are different and many will have different outlooks on religion in general; for example, sending this essay to Santa Clara University or Boston College (top Jesuit universities) would likely get a different reaction than sending it to a secular university like Cornell. That doesn't mean positive or negative—just different.

In general, if you're going to write an essay with a topic like this, you need to make sure you're leaning into the personal and not the more abstract part of this topic. An essay about how your experiences with religion and sexual orientation have shaped you as a person is great. An essay about Catholicism and sexual orientation in general is a bad essay—not because of any stigma, but because it's not enough about you. The danger with these kinds of essays is that they can very easily become an Opinions & Editorials piece about a topic rather than a personal essay about your experiences—they need to be the latter to be successful.

i'm personalizing it quite a bit... relating it to my personal experience... like how I'm super devout, and still want to be. I don't express anything close to an editorial...

Cool, then you're on the right track. I've just seen a lot of essays where students pick a topic that's really important to them and end up writing more about the topic than themselves—so it's something to watch out for.

You're overthinking it. College is meant to explore and many people cast off past affiliations and adopt new ones, including religion. Colleges want to know if you can handle the academic work, first and foremost. Secondly, a few care if you can contribute to community. Most don't care and only need/want your tuition.

am I overthinking on my topic or my worry of the topic?

I don't think you're overthinking it; it's okay to be careful and contemplative about your essays. After all, they are important. To be honest, a compelling and thoughtful essay on any topic is all the colleges ask for. If being Christian & gay means to you and comprises a lot of your personal identity, go for it!

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, community guidelines.

To keep this community safe and supportive:

• Be kind and respectful!
• Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
• Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!

How karma works