GW Law School to Add LGBT Status to Application

Parents Forum
1

<p>As written in the GW Hatchet on Feb. 4, 2013:</p>

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[quote]
GW Law School applicants already face questions about writing samples, transcripts and letters of recommendation. But next year, they will confront a new question: Are you gay?</p>

<p>Joining only four top 20 law schools to add LGBT status to its applications, GW's law school will track the number of gay and transgender applicants to set up better support services and pair students with alumni and mentors, first-year law students and Student Bar Association senators.</p>

<p>"It's a signal to LGBT applicants and allies that this is a LGBT-positive law school and university. It would encourage LGBT applicants to apply knowing that GW would be a supportive place for them to be and a good fit."</p>

<p>The Law School Admission Council common e-application also already asks the question. </p>

<p>"Understanding our prospective students allows us to provide more comprehensive information regarding our academic programs, student services, and mentoring initiatives."

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The three other law schools who include this on their application are Univ of Penn, Univ of Washington, and Boston University.</p>

2

<p>I think that’s great since it will be used to better support the students.</p>

3

<p>do the other students get to hang with alumni and mentors? or just the gay ones…?</p>

4

<p>Why don’t they just ask the question of incoming students, after they are accepted and enroll? Is it part of the admissions decision? If yes, I don’t think it should be. If no, why not ask the question later?</p>

5

<p>How will applicants know that the information won’t be used against them? It just takes one adcom to pretend to be gay friendly to sink an application</p>

6

<p>This should not be on the apps. It may be fine for after acceptance for some of the above stated reasons. It’s none of their business during the app process. It’s neither a plus or a negative.</p>

7

<p>They should have four different boxes from which to choose. GW Law School has no business forcing applicants to group themselves together.</p>