Anabaptism Forum

[honeybadger12]

My family is Anabaptist; jw if I should mention this at some point in the application (whether a PS, DS, or LOR) since it makes me somewhat unique or if I should leave it out since it is related to religion.
This is not what I would probably say in the app, but this is what comes to mind when I think of Anabaptism:

Anabaptism dates back to a group of people from the 16th century who initiated the “Radical Reformation.” The story of Dirk Willems, an early Anabaptist leader, demonstrates why they were considered radical: A man pursuing Willems fell through thin ice while chasing him on foot. Willems turned back and saved the man from drowning; this allowed him to be captured, and he was then tortured and killed for his faith. Early Anabaptists were radically committed to putting the interests of others before their own.

My grandma could also be considered radical. Her daughter was killed by a drunk driver at age four. Grandma invited the driver to the funeral. She was kneeling by the casket when she noticed the driver enter the back of the church. She walked back to the driver, embraced her, and invited her to sit in the front of the sanctuary with the family. An act of forgiveness such as that is remembered for generations.

Being culturally Anabaptist has made its mark on me in several ways. Anabaptists tend to be extremely frugal. When I was young, my parents wouldn’t even take us to McDonald’s because they were squeezing pennies so tightly. The culture also carries an unusually strong work ethic and discipline. But the most important way Anabaptism has shaped me is that I want to emulate Dirk Willems and my grandmother by living each day with the welfare of others at the front of my mind.

[buckilaw]

I'd consider some other topic that shows your commitment for the welfare of others. People tend to have strong views and strong reactions to religion, why risk causing a bad impression?

[MormonChristian]

My family is Anabaptist; jw if I should mention this at some point in the application (whether a PS, DS, or LOR) since it makes me somewhat unique or if I should leave it out since it is related to religion.
This is not what I would probably say in the app, but this is what comes to mind when I think of Anabaptism:

Anabaptism dates back to a group of people from the 16th century who initiated the “Radical Reformation.” The story of Dirk Willems, an early Anabaptist leader, demonstrates why they were considered radical: A man pursuing Willems fell through thin ice while chasing him on foot. Willems turned back and saved the man from drowning; this allowed him to be captured, and he was then tortured and killed for his faith. Early Anabaptists were radically committed to putting the interests of others before their own.

My grandma could also be considered radical. Her daughter was killed by a drunk driver at age four. Grandma invited the driver to the funeral. She was kneeling by the casket when she noticed the driver enter the back of the church. She walked back to the driver, embraced her, and invited her to sit in the front of the sanctuary with the family. An act of forgiveness such as that is remembered for generations.

Being culturally Anabaptist has made its mark on me in several ways. Anabaptists tend to be extremely frugal. When I was young, my parents wouldn’t even take us to McDonald’s because they were squeezing pennies so tightly. The culture also carries an unusually strong work ethic and discipline. But the most important way Anabaptism has shaped me is that I want to emulate Dirk Willems and my grandmother by living each day with the welfare of others at the front of my mind.

Wonderful and touching family history. I would include the family history in there so that the admissions committee gets a wonderful view of you and your heritage and how it possibly defines you. I don't think the history lesson about Anabaptism is pertinent enough to include.

Best of luck.

[CorkBoard]

My family is Anabaptist; jw if I should mention this at some point in the application (whether a PS, DS, or LOR) since it makes me somewhat unique or if I should leave it out since it is related to religion.
This is not what I would probably say in the app, but this is what comes to mind when I think of Anabaptism:

Anabaptism dates back to a group of people from the 16th century who initiated the “Radical Reformation.” The story of Dirk Willems, an early Anabaptist leader, demonstrates why they were considered radical: A man pursuing Willems fell through thin ice while chasing him on foot. Willems turned back and saved the man from drowning; this allowed him to be captured, and he was then tortured and killed for his faith. Early Anabaptists were radically committed to putting the interests of others before their own.

My grandma could also be considered radical. Her daughter was killed by a drunk driver at age four. Grandma invited the driver to the funeral. She was kneeling by the casket when she noticed the driver enter the back of the church. She walked back to the driver, embraced her, and invited her to sit in the front of the sanctuary with the family. An act of forgiveness such as that is remembered for generations.

Being culturally Anabaptist has made its mark on me in several ways. Anabaptists tend to be extremely frugal. When I was young, my parents wouldn’t even take us to McDonald’s because they were squeezing pennies so tightly. The culture also carries an unusually strong work ethic and discipline. But the most important way Anabaptism has shaped me is that I want to emulate Dirk Willems and my grandmother by living each day with the welfare of others at the front of my mind.

Wonderful and touching family history. I would include the family history in there so that the admissions committee gets a wonderful view of you and your heritage and how it possibly defines you. I don't think the history lesson about Anabaptism is pertinent enough to include.

Best of luck.

If the OP does this incorrectly though, it could make him/her look bad.

I can see you being easily swept up in a PS that says more about your grandma and Dirks Willems than it does about you.

Honestly, I'd probably just pick another topic.

[honeybadger12]

My family is Anabaptist; jw if I should mention this at some point in the application (whether a PS, DS, or LOR) since it makes me somewhat unique or if I should leave it out since it is related to religion.
This is not what I would probably say in the app, but this is what comes to mind when I think of Anabaptism:

Anabaptism dates back to a group of people from the 16th century who initiated the “Radical Reformation.” The story of Dirk Willems, an early Anabaptist leader, demonstrates why they were considered radical: A man pursuing Willems fell through thin ice while chasing him on foot. Willems turned back and saved the man from drowning; this allowed him to be captured, and he was then tortured and killed for his faith. Early Anabaptists were radically committed to putting the interests of others before their own.

My grandma could also be considered radical. Her daughter was killed by a drunk driver at age four. Grandma invited the driver to the funeral. She was kneeling by the casket when she noticed the driver enter the back of the church. She walked back to the driver, embraced her, and invited her to sit in the front of the sanctuary with the family. An act of forgiveness such as that is remembered for generations.

Being culturally Anabaptist has made its mark on me in several ways. Anabaptists tend to be extremely frugal. When I was young, my parents wouldn’t even take us to McDonald’s because they were squeezing pennies so tightly. The culture also carries an unusually strong work ethic and discipline. But the most important way Anabaptism has shaped me is that I want to emulate Dirk Willems and my grandmother by living each day with the welfare of others at the front of my mind.

Wonderful and touching family history. I would include the family history in there so that the admissions committee gets a wonderful view of you and your heritage and how it possibly defines you. I don't think the history lesson about Anabaptism is pertinent enough to include.

Best of luck.

If the OP does this incorrectly though, it could make him/her look bad.

I can see you being easily swept up in a PS that says more about your grandma and Dirks Willems than it does about you.

Honestly, I'd probably just pick another topic.

Yeah I agree; I'm kinda thinking if I do include this it'd be in a DS or LOR

[nickb285]

.

[CorkBoard]

My family is Anabaptist; jw if I should mention this at some point in the application (whether a PS, DS, or LOR) since it makes me somewhat unique or if I should leave it out since it is related to religion.
This is not what I would probably say in the app, but this is what comes to mind when I think of Anabaptism:

Anabaptism dates back to a group of people from the 16th century who initiated the “Radical Reformation.” The story of Dirk Willems, an early Anabaptist leader, demonstrates why they were considered radical: A man pursuing Willems fell through thin ice while chasing him on foot. Willems turned back and saved the man from drowning; this allowed him to be captured, and he was then tortured and killed for his faith. Early Anabaptists were radically committed to putting the interests of others before their own.

My grandma could also be considered radical. Her daughter was killed by a drunk driver at age four. Grandma invited the driver to the funeral. She was kneeling by the casket when she noticed the driver enter the back of the church. She walked back to the driver, embraced her, and invited her to sit in the front of the sanctuary with the family. An act of forgiveness such as that is remembered for generations.

Being culturally Anabaptist has made its mark on me in several ways. Anabaptists tend to be extremely frugal. When I was young, my parents wouldn’t even take us to McDonald’s because they were squeezing pennies so tightly. The culture also carries an unusually strong work ethic and discipline. But the most important way Anabaptism has shaped me is that I want to emulate Dirk Willems and my grandmother by living each day with the welfare of others at the front of my mind.

Wonderful and touching family history. I would include the family history in there so that the admissions committee gets a wonderful view of you and your heritage and how it possibly defines you. I don't think the history lesson about Anabaptism is pertinent enough to include.

Best of luck.

If the OP does this incorrectly though, it could make him/her look bad.

I can see you being easily swept up in a PS that says more about your grandma and Dirks Willems than it does about you.

Honestly, I'd probably just pick another topic.

Yeah I agree; I'm kinda thinking if I do include this it'd be in a DS or LOR

You probably shouldn't use it at all.

[No13baby]

I'd consider some other topic that shows your commitment for the welfare of others. People tend to have strong views and strong reactions to religion, why risk causing a bad impression?

This.

The story about your grandmother is powerful and unique, and in the right context (e.g. "my grandmother had this thing happen, my family told me about it, taught me the importance of putting others first, led me to do X, which led me to law school") it could work. But focusing on your/your family's religious beliefs is not a great idea IMO.

This is good advice. The story about your grandmother is awesome, but I think that mentioning a (relatively) unknown religious tradition might turn people off, unfortunately. It would be great if you could work the story in without the religious background.

[fatduck]

i think this would make a great yale 250:

Dear Yale,

I yearn for you tragically. A.T. Tappman, Chaplain, U.S. Army.

[buckilaw]

resurrected.

[CorkBoard]

resurrected.

Why?

[honeybadger12]

resurrected.

Why?

my b i didn't know editing would bump it

[CorkBoard]

resurrected.

Why?

my b i didn't know editing would bump it

It doesn't.

[honeybadger12]

no idea then. buckilaw must be from ohio state who knows why they are how they are

[fatduck]

resurrected.

Why?

it was a joke. anabaptists don't believe in the resurrection.

[honeybadger12]

resurrected.

Why?

it was a joke. anabaptists don't believe in the resurrection.

i can't tell if you're being weirdly facetious or something but that is false where'd you get that from lol