<p>Do you think it would be okay if I don't explain the whole backstory about why I'm coming out? I feel like it's unnecessary and too narrative, whereas I'm trying really hard to be descriptive in explaining my writing the letter to my parents through which I came out and delivering them the letter.</p>
<p>Or is this topic just bad? I feel really anxious over the whole thing and I'm afraid that maybe I should just try something else.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
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I would think it’s fairly obvious…</p>
<p>Honestly, I would try to stay away from this topic. While many (including myself) are completely respectful of your lifestyle choice, you never know what the admissions officer thinks about the LGBT community. I’m not saying he/she would be prejudiced, but they could be very conservative or old-fashioned, and might subconsciously acquire a bad taste for your overall app.</p>
<p>Well for my UC Transfer app I’m bringing up how I came out as gay and how it’s going to tie into my major and career choice as a Psychologist. There’s always that ‘risk’ that you’ll get the conservative/old-fashioned guy who will be biased by your essay, so that IS a risk. But here’s the thing… if you feel this is a big part of yourself, and sexuality generally is considered that way, then you should absolutely write an essay about it. They want to see who you are, it’d be silly to omit this part unless you’re petrified about running into one of those aforementioned old-school or conservative types. I’m told creating a good narrative is a good thing though, so maybe make sure it’s concise but you know, go wild. Talk about how nervous you were putting ink to paper (or something like “my pulse increased with every keystroke” if you typed the letter). If you can pull it off it’ll make your whole essay. Good luck!</p>
<p>I am writing about coming out as well. Pick a focus of it. If your essay is about what motivated you to come out then provide background on that. If it is about the repercussions, then you don’t need as much background.
I was hesitant to write this essay too, but all of the schools I am applying to are gay friendly, some even actively recruiting LGBT students, so it will be fine.</p>
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<p>Personally, I wouldn’t want to attend any school with admissions officers who were intolerant of being anything other than heterosexual anyway.</p>
<p>Here’s an off-the-wall idea: (Don’t know whether it would work or not) Put the essay in the form of a letter to your parents. I know you wrote one, but you don’t have to use the real one. </p>
<p>Better Idea: It’s going to be very hard to focus with a topic like this, especially since I think admissions people see this all the time. But I would think coming out is probably the most significant moment of your life, so that would be an obvious topic. But here is the idea: Pick a moment (writing the letter to your parents) and write the first paragraph of your esay describing the writing of the letter - not the contents, maybe at first not even the subject (yet). All the reader knows in the first paragraph is that you are trying to compose a letter to your parents and that it is incredibly difficult to do (or, alternatively, describe the delivery of the letter without at first disclosing what’s in the letter <== I like this idea better). Then, write the END paragraph of your essay. Where are you now? Comfortable with who you are? Firm in your direction? Remember, you are now a stronger person (and getting stronger).</p>
<p>Polish the beginning paragraph and the ending paragraph. Your starting point and your ending point. NOW you can write the middle of the essay - the transition from that opening moment to where you are now with more focus: you know the start, you know the end. Don’t wonder away from that story arc.</p>
<p>To plan the middle, you might think of moments that illustrate stages of the transition: First, out to your parents. Second, were there friends who were going to take this badly? Or, as I suspect, did they already know? What did you have to overcome IN YOURSELF to make the transition complete and become a stronger person? How did you overcome it?</p>
<p>The topic is not unique, but it can be done uniquely.</p>
<p>It could be a really truly moving essay, if you do it correctly. Not many heterosexuals can say they’ve been through such a personal struggle in telling their parents, friends, etc. If you write it correctly, it could be very emotional and very unique! Best of luck!</p>