<p>I am applying to transfer next fall for several reasons, one of which is I am currently at a school that is quite conservative and not a comfortable environment for gays. I am not openly gay, but I intend to come out sometime in the next few years, once I get into a more accepting environment. I am applying to schools such as NYU, Northwestern, Tufts, and Carnegie Mellon.</p>
<p>My question is, should I include this point in my essay that asks me to to discuss my reasons for transferring? My homosexuality is an honest reason for my interest in transferring, but I don't want to be "milking" a stereotypical topic in my essay. I do not want to write a "pity me" essay or portray myself as a victim at all. Do you think admissions officers would like to hear this point, or is it best I not mention it?</p>
<p>A few thoughts I’d have as an adcom. why on earth did you choose a conservative, uncomfortable environment? Few schools are not gay friendly today. If this is a story of a life of oppression, that’s one thing. But where are you going with this?</p>
<p>I think that’s an honest and valid reason and would make for a good answer for the “why do you want to come here?” question in many supplements. Make sure you also note a particular academic program and answer the question of the previous post, why did you choose your first college?</p>
<p>One more thought: I don’t think it’s “milking” anything or being stereotypical to say that you want a comfortable place where you can come out in the near future. That shows a lot of reflection and growth since you first went to college.</p>
<p>It might be something to write about, but you should try to avoid bad mouthing your current school. It would be better if you could talk about being disappointed with the lack of a gay community at your current school and a lack of gay activities/clubs, which are common at the schools you mentioned. That might be difficult to do if you are not openly gay though, but I’m assuming you’re not very involved in the gay community if you’re not out.</p>
<p>polinew - - you GO!!! It’s such a sad state of affairs when one feels he or she needs to “come out.” No doubt you are an incredible person - with family and friends who love you for exactly who you are. Heterosexuals don’t have to “come out” so why would any one else? And why would/should anyone care about another’s orientation?</p>
<p>But I agree that you need to be at a place where you are comfortable. I hope you decide Pittsburgh (CMU - or any other Pittsburgh school)!! </p>
<p>I hope you land at a school where you feel at home and comfortable. Keep this in mind. No doubt you think that many people may have issues with your orientation. Honestly? They don’t. Times have changed - thank goodness. You may think you have to come out - but most people probably have guessed it…and really don’t care. They love you and accept you for who your are. They only want the best for you…and want you to love and be loved. Did your straight friends “come out” and announce that they are straight? Then you shouldn’t feel the need to make some announcement. It may help you to have that conversation with family (depending on the dynamics) but for the rest of the world…really…they don’t care if you are staight or gay. </p>
<p>I just want to say that most people (especially in an urban area) are going to be very accepting of your orientation…so don’t be afraid to be who you are. It’s all good!!</p>
<p>Yup, I discussed the lack of a strong LGBTQ community in my William and Mary essay, though i only made it a paragraph. Try talking about other things, such as lack of a major that your interested, on campus activities. Heck I even wrote about a lack of a football team (WM beat UVA Good luck bro!</p>
<p>I’ve decided I’ll probably use one paragraph talking about planning on coming out. I would talk about plenty of other things in my essay too, such as diversity, academics, etc. Here’s what I’m thinking about using:</p>
<p>On a personal note, I seek a more diverse, liberal northern university because in the near future I hope to come out as an openly gay individual. My sexual orientation has been a source of confusion for several years, and attending college presented me with an opportunity to figure out this part of who I was. This past year at _________ helped me realize that coming out to my friends and family was a challenge I would in fact have to face, yet it also helped me realize that ______ is not the most comfortable community for me to do so. In order for me to take this important step in my life, I want to live in a welcoming community with many people of different backgrounds, where I can feel comfortable with being myself.</p>
<p>Does anybody have any suggestions on whether this is the right tone?</p>
<p>^ Maybe change the word “comfortable” in the middle of the paragraph to “supportive”?</p>
<p>I worry that the “comfortable” talk might give someone the impression you are the kind of kid who only wants to be with like-minded people, which is NOT the sort of kid that colleges are looking for. Otherwise, I like the paragraph.</p>
<p>i used gay in my college essays and i got rejected from every UC i applied to cept UCSC and UCR. and i applied to every UC except UC merced. I had a relatively high GPA, a 2080 on my SAT, and bomb extracurriculars (good enough to win me two private scholarships). im happy with UCR though.</p>
<p>that doesn’t mean don’t use it. maybe theres other reasons why i wasn’t accepted into those schools. but maybe a bigot read my essay. i dont know.</p>
Good luck bro!</p>