<p>I live in Columbus, Ohio and of all the colleges that accepted me, I’ve narrowed it down to Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley. </p>
<p>I’m mainly interested in three main things::</p>
<li>the English program-I want to be a creative writer</li>
<li>gay life-I’m a white gay male and looking for the same</li>
<li>the surrounding area-I like bookstores and playhouses, starbucks is an absolute necessity</li>
</ol>
<p>Oh yeah, my mom graduated from Berkeley and my dad from Princeton so that could be a factor because I don’t want them to fight it out anymore…that’s all they’ve been doing lately.</p>
<p>Harvard has always been very liberal. There are plenty of coffee houses, theaters, and gays around. The Harvard chaplain is gay, and the mayor of Cambridge a few years ago was a gay Harvard grad.</p>
<p>Princeton is far more conservative. Stanford is so isolated (lovely campus, but isolated) that there aren't the kind of coffeehouses, etc. that you want that are near the campus. At Harvard, coffeehouses, bookstores, etc. are steps away from the campus.</p>
<p>I can't comment directly on the English program since I'm not that familiar with what's there now. However, historically, there have always been a lot of talented English majors who seemed to be happy with their courses. I suggest taking a look at the catalogue. Check out, too, the literary magazines put out by students. You probably can get good info by contacting the editors and writers.</p>
<p>I'm sure there's a gay group at Harvard. I also suggest that you contact them for info.</p>
<p>He's not in the English department but Prof Brad Epps is gay. Here is his full title: Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and of Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality; Associate of Kirkland House.</p>
<p>I believe there is a Gay Lesbian Student association at Harvard that is very active. The local high school also has an active ga/lesbian support group called Project Ten East. I think for a gay student, being in an urban area such as Berkeley or Boston/Cambridge can be a real plus, though I think all the colleges on the list are very welcoming.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who replied to my posts at the different school forums! :)</p>
<p>After a big family talk, my mom couldn't come to terms with me turning down Berkeley and neither could my dad with Princeton. The solution:: eliminate both. Then my mom vilified the Stanford experience since it's Berkeley's nemesis. So between Harvard and Yale, I'm picking Harvard cuz it's Harvard!</p>
<p>Thanks again, hope to see everyone there! ;)</p>
<p>Please, don't pick Harvard "cuz it's Harvard." I'm sure you are evaluating both schools on their own merits, but in case you aren't, be sure to do so. I think the reason why some students at Harvard are unhappy is because they chose it for the wrong reasons ("because it's Harvard").</p>
<p>Well yeah, I have other reasons......like....BOSTON! :) And that's where most people from my school have gone anyways so it'd be cool to see them again.</p>
<p>About my outness, it's due to the fact that my parents are incredibly liberal and plus one of my twin older brothers is gay and my older sister claims to be bi so it's not like it my coming out was anything new (I didn't even have one in fact....mom just randomly asked when we were at the mall...)</p>
<p>mom: "_<strong><em>, are you still going out with _</em></strong>?"
me: "What do you mean still."<br>
mom: "Hah, you know what I mean ;)"
me: "OK..." <em>shrug + wry smile</em>
mom: "You're right, it is OK....just as long as you're the man in the relationship so that we won't have to pay for the wedding."
me: "How can I tell if I'm the man?"
mom: <em>bursts out laughing</em></p>
<p>that's hilarious! yeah, my parents are totally like that too--that was very similar to a conversation we had with a good friend of mine who's also gay (i'm not)</p>
<p>Hey I have an interest in this as well cos I'm choosing between Harvard and Yale English - (Yale also offered me Directed Studies) any thoughts on comparing English programs in particular? Thanks!</p>
<p>well here's my 2c
I'm an african american gay male from Houston (that causes so much more trouble than one might think)
and I've been out to my parents for some time now... at my school in the D/FW area, i'm heavily involved with the gay/straight groups within my school and on the unt campus.
My first choice is Harvard, and I'll go there without a second thought if I'm accepted EA this December.</p>
<p>But the bottom line is, I think at any of those schools you will find an accepting gay community... I've even found one in the middle of conservative UNT... and managed to become the co-president of my school's support group, and marched int he Dallas Pride Parade... something I never thought I'd be doing.
But I think that should be a secondary concern...because if you have enough initiative... at those schools, it shouldn't be a problem</p>