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username3837902

7

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(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 1

ageshallnot

21

Original post by ladouleurexquise

I have to submit my UCAS form by Friday, but I'm having doubts over my personal statement, which makes it quite clear that I'm a communist (one section mentions Marx's The German Ideology and a couple of essays by Hobsbawm, who was a Marxist historian, and then I go on to say that reading about historical materialism inspired me to study history etc.). I don't want to take these parts out because communism IS what made me love history, but I'm slightly worried about some right-wing tutor reading it and not offering me a place because of that??? I'm probably just being dramatic though

applying to Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, and York (with A*A*A predicted so I'm hoping my personal statement won't impact it too much anyway) if that makes a difference

If what you wrote was intelligent then they are likely to consider you an interesting candidate.

Reply 2

Desideri

17

Does it make clear that you’re a communist, or just that you have an interest in communism? I read quite a bit of Marx and some Marxist thinkers in a German history module, with a lecturer who made it fairly clear that he wasn’t a Marxist, but we should know about Marx because he’s so influential.

Even if you wrote “I campaigned for the Communist Party at the last election”, it shouldn’t count against you. But from what you’ve written here, I definitely don’t think it should count against you.

Reply 3

Blackhart

8

If you really feel it's important which you clearly do I would stay stick with it and live with the consequences.

There are sadly some people who have quite silly views on socialism/communism but I think it's unlikely you would be put at a real disadvantage and I think there is just as much upside as someone could see your PS and be impressed by your honesty and willingness to show who you are.

Reply 4

Joleee

19

you need to sell yourself as someone who is interested in the degree and has potential to be a good student. doesn’t really matter why you’re interested in history so long as you can persuade your case. i doubt any ‘right wing’ marker would be displeased with your personal statement so long as it was well written. don’t worry that you have different political opinions; just write a persuasive argument why you should be invited to the course. btw Marx is a hero in terms of writing; that’s why we talk about him/remember him.

Reply 5

Grizwuld

19

Original post by ladouleurexquise

I have to submit my UCAS form by Friday, but I'm having doubts over my personal statement, which makes it quite clear that I'm a communist (one section mentions Marx's The German Ideology and a couple of essays by Hobsbawm, who was a Marxist historian, and then I go on to say that reading about historical materialism inspired me to study history etc.). I don't want to take these parts out because communism IS what made me love history, but I'm slightly worried about some right-wing tutor reading it and not offering me a place because of that??? I'm probably just being dramatic though

applying to Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, and York (with A*A*A predicted so I'm hoping my personal statement won't impact it too much anyway) if that makes a difference

Perhaps you might feel more comfortable if you expressed the views and points you wanted from an independent or 3rd party standpoint. You might be a communist but you don't have to say it :biggrin:

And of course by the end of your degree you may have seen the light and no longer be a communist :u:

Good Luck Misguided One

Reply 6

harrysbar

21

Original post by ladouleurexquise

I have to submit my UCAS form by Friday, but I'm having doubts over my personal statement, which makes it quite clear that I'm a communist (one section mentions Marx's The German Ideology and a couple of essays by Hobsbawm, who was a Marxist historian, and then I go on to say that reading about historical materialism inspired me to study history etc.). I don't want to take these parts out because communism IS what made me love history, but I'm slightly worried about some right-wing tutor reading it and not offering me a place because of that??? I'm probably just being dramatic though

applying to Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, and York (with A*A*A predicted so I'm hoping my personal statement won't impact it too much anyway) if that makes a difference

I don't think it will work against you - most uni tutors are left wing anyway so more likely to agree with you. However, they may wonder why you aren't applying to a course with more politics in it if you have a strong interest in it. I'm assuming here that the courses don't include much politics

Reply 7

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

21

They'll be reading hundreds of statements, they care about your interest and suitability for the course, not your political leanings.

Reply 8

username3837902

OP

7

Original post by Desideri

Does it make clear that you’re a communist, or just that you have an interest in communism? I read quite a bit of Marx and some Marxist thinkers in a German history module, with a lecturer who made it fairly clear that he wasn’t a Marxist, but we should know about Marx because he’s so influential.

Even if you wrote “I campaigned for the Communist Party at the last election”, it shouldn’t count against you. But from what you’ve written here, I definitely don’t think it should count against you.

I've edited it a bit so it now sounds a little more like I was just interested in the theory of Marxism from an outsider's perspective, but I think it still comes across that those are my beliefs. I think you're right, though, it's all from an academic viewpoint so I don't think it'll be disadvantegous.
Thank you! :smile:

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