Gay = minority??

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Does being a gay applicant and writing about that in my essay in any way/shape or form give me extra points for admissions</p>

<p>i was thinking on the lines of diversity?</p>

2

<p>In theory, it shouldn’t hurt, but it’ll only help if you are genuine, sincere, and only if whatever you write is well written.</p>

<p>If you have some compelling experience, you might consider writing about it in a brief comment in your EC listings, instead of focusing your essay on it. You don’t have to be overly political about it, but listing things for causes (e.g. the LGBT community) is usually a plus (as long as it’s not the KKK or something…)</p>

<p>I’m straight, but in November, I attended an Opposition to Prop 8 rally in New Orleans in support of some friends.</p>

3

<p>^I agree. but also keep in mind that while this is an angle…IMO it seems risky because unfortunately not everyone is open-minded. And as a minority status…I don’t think that would count for AA.</p>

4

<p>^ thats what i was afraid of…to get some closed-minded old man to read my essay. but its a pretty liberal city and a somewhat liberal school so i just took the risk.</p>

<p>i already submitted my app by the scholarship deadline…and my essay did focus on my experience of coming out. its completely genuine though and well written.
i hope the risk was worth it…because i had no other idea of what else i can write about for my essay.
well wish me luck!</p>

<p>4 months of torture till i know my fate!</p>

5

<p>I work with USC’s LGBT community, and I can assure you that writing about your experiences in your essays will only help you.</p>

<p>USC has a very active and represented LGBT community with alot of activities and university recognition. </p>

<p>USC also tries to encourage LGBT students to apply and puts out a recruitment guide every year: <a href=“http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/glbss/Fliers/FinalRecruitmentGuide.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/glbss/Fliers/FinalRecruitmentGuide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you wish to get in contact with LGBT faculty/staff, the first person you should talk to is Dr. Vincent Vigil, who runs the LGBT Resource Center. If he knows you are applying he could recommend programs and perhaps even scholarships.</p>

<p>You can PM me if you want Vincent’s email address! Good luck and hope to see you at USC next fall!</p>