Hi! This is my first post on this site. I made this account to ask a question that has been on my mind; would a coming out essay be OK? I know it is being a very primary-level topic now, like talking about someone dying in your family, or moving to a new state. However, I truly do believe it is apart of my identity as a human. I don’t want to make it into a sob story; I don’t want the admissions officers to pity me. As being LGBT, a another big part of me is being Christian. I wanted to get your opinion on possibly writing an essay over the internalized hate I personally I had to face and feel like I am “two- faced”, essentially, and also the possibility of people rejecting me, when it turns out everyone accepted me, and the world kept spinning like usual, realizing this is something that won’t ruin the personal friendships and relationships I have built over the years, This essay also runs the risk of the admissions officer being conservative, and not being pleased with my essay, which is something I have to be okay with. I just wanted to get another opinion on writing about this, and should I write about it. Thank you!
The essay is supposed to highlight why you would be a great addition for a school and show your strengths. It’s not a confessional or tell all. I would encourage you to read through the threads in the college essay subforum. There is good advice and links to how to write a compelling essay.
Hi,
I was just reading this site, but couldn’t pass this up.
I had the exact same thought earlier today. I am gay and was raised catholic. It’s a general topic. I think you (or I) need to figure out how it relates back to college. Like death or changing states, it’s extremely personal. Would you be able to express such a topic in writing? Just things I try to ask myself.
A big part of me didn’t like the idea. Being gay has been my life. It feels silly to let my circumstances choose for me. You know?
If the admissions people are conservative, I think the essay would at least give them new perspective. For me at least, I’ve been told a few times, that knowing a someone LGBT in person really changes things.
I hope this helps
You need to reveal what matters to those adcoms, that college. That’s not “I am” this or that.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/2151110-should-i-come-out-to-admissions-officers.html
The purpose of the college essay is to give admissions officers a reason to want to have you be on their campus. I encourage you to read the comments in the link above.
I was following the CommonApp prompt which is “1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.” so essentially, I need to tie it back to why the college would want me as a student. Asking for clarification.
They still want that writing to be relevant to what they do look for. We understand it’s important to you. But just being gay isn’t an “it” or something they feel they need to know. Lots of kids aren’t hetero, lots of their co-workers, as well. Many who had a coonservative background, too. It’s not uncommon.
They’re looking for traits, some factor and action that changed you for the better (meaning impact on others, new/valid responsibilities taken on, etc.) Not just, well, “You should know this about me, it’s important to me.”
There are kids who can write this. But there’s got to be an arc of some sort. Show, not just tell. Some kids get involved in quite valid ways, with teens at risk, at shelters, in local advocacy, things that enhance their maturity, perspective and engagement (not just in the hs.) Takes us back to the idea that this revelation needs to show the traits they want. And not that you feel two-faced or uncomfortably pressured.
The comments are all relevant. It doesn’t matter what the subject is (unless offensive ) if it is well written and compelling, and most importantly presents you as a great addition to the school. It’s harder to do this when you pick a subject that is used a lot.
One of my kids auditioned for college programs. Had to sing some songs. It was a cardinal rule, NOT to pick a popular or notable piece because its difficult to excel when so many have already taken a shot at it, or it’s a signature piece that’s well known. You have to really make it your own, put a fresh face on it and do it very well or it’s boring.,anemic , even painful.
That’s not to say you can’t do an excellent job going this route. It’s just more challenging and there are more landmines to avoid.