<p>I'm a rising senior, and I'm very interested in getting into HYPS. I have the grades (4.5 weighted - I know, at my school, scheduling for the hardest classes is practically a competitive event) and the stats (haven't gotten SATs back yet, but psats were 221 - not great but with a 780M, 760V, I know all I really need to fix is writing) necessary to be considered at these schools. I have some decent extracurricular activities (member of the pittsburgh youth symphony, 2 time all state musician, head delegate of my school's model UN club - with lots of awards at model un conferences, CMU Precollege Summer Program, Westinghouse Honors Science Institute, honorable mention in the Pittsburgh Society for Analytical Chemists Essay Competition). This summer, after I get back from a tour of DC with the Youth Symphony, and a String Quartet Institute at NYU, I have a research internship at Magee Womens Research Institute regarding reproductive and sexual health. I am gay, and I am out to pretty much my whole school (at least anyone with myspace or facebook, or anyone who listens to gossip). I'm planning on starting a Gay-Straight Alliance as a senior, which I really think will help a lot of underclassmen at my high school that may be struggling with their sexuality. When I write my college essays, I want to include this. I think that it's something that is important to my growth during the high school years, and it will tell colleges a lot about what kind of student I will be in college. It ties in very nicely with my sexual health internship as well. I would really love working as an AIDS researcher or something... I think that talking about my sexuality would really be an interesting essay topic, and it fits in nicely with my career goals, and it would help me stand out, at least a little, from the other science orinted white males. But my mom doesn't want me to mention it because she is afraid of discrimination. Is she behind the times, or am I putting to much faith in the admissions officers? Would you recommend this for some colleges, but not for others? What about mentioning it in an interview? Would that be forceful and boldly independent, or just awkward?? What about allumni interviews? My parents don't think I should bother taking a chance like this, but I don't think they realize that for smart, hardworking, but non prodigy high schoolers to really have a strong chance at the under 20% acceptance rate colleges, you really have to take a chance and make yourself stand out from the crowd.</p>
<p>You will not be discriminated especially at the top colleges. As for adding it into your essays and bringing it up in interview I do not know. It might be good to write an essay about it and linking everything together. I would not randomly bring it up in a interview... that would be a little akward. Just wait and see if the right time happens. I am pretty sure being gay is not a hook either... just imagine everyone saying they where gay just to get into college.</p>
<p>dont count heavily on it...besides, not to sound mean but couldnt ppl lie about it? of course their essays wouldnt really be as genuine as yours. i guess it could work, but dont count on it</p>
<p>Try going back a few posts</p>
<p>This one is overdone. It will not help you unless you have a very unique take on the subject. If it's going to be about how being different made you stronger, forget it!</p>
<p>If you include it, being gay should not be the focus. They hear this alot because every gay student thinks they should write about it. </p>
<p>Don't talk about it in an interview. An interviewer (unless an admissions officer) might be less impartial than the committee and shed you in a negative light if he/she is against homosexuality (if this were even possible).</p>
<p>Careful what you talk about. Admissions committees are made of humans, and humans are almost never completely impartial or unbiased.</p>
<p>Personally, I think it's important to include because it will show that you have a passion for the research you plan to go into...but definitely don't write the entire paper about it. If I had to read an essay over someones sexual preferences (heterosexuals included) I'd be bored and feel overinformed. It's just not something I think would be an appropriate topic.</p>
<p>I dunno, just don't fall into the trap where you think that you are defined by your sexuality. Too many homosexuals make that mistake.</p>
<p>what makes me made about homosexuals is that they think they are something special, something amazing. Is being straight a hook? Ofcourse not so y should being gay be a hook especially when it is a very unnatural and out of the norm thing</p>
<p>To cut off any responses to skibob - </p>
<p>Don't comment to this guy's post. dont feed his ignorance, dont argue, just accept that there are those in the world who either like to cause problems.</p>
<p>This thread does not need to go off topic.</p>
<hr>
<p>On topic - Only mention it if it has changed/affected your life any SPECIAL way ... just like minority status/income/single-parent, etc.</p>
<p>what are u getting so defensive about i didnt say anything ignorant or even factually wrong. Being gay is 1. a sexual orientation like being straight and its not something someone should flaunt. No one flauns their heterosexuality in public discourse because its unacceptable behavior. Same thing should apply with homosexuality. My problem with things like gay parades and gay events is that often times kids see innapproriate behavir going on at these events and its not something that a parent should have to explain. 2 homosexuality is unnatural, im sure even gay people will back me up on that. For one thing its caused by a mental or hormonal problem- medical fact, a gay couple cant have children-medical fact, which pts to the unnatrual part of it. If it were natural then everyone ccan be gay and still continue the human race but it doesnt work that way. Sexual intercourse isnt possible with gay couples. There are no anatomical adaptations for it.</p>
<p>"There are no anatomical adaptations for it."</p>
<p>umm...although it doesn't result in reproduction, there most certainly are ways for a gay couple to consumate.</p>
<p>Heterosexuality is certainly flaunted--look at MTV Spring Break. The only reason homosexuality seems so blatant is that it's just SO different. I don't think being gay is a "problem," skibob, it's just being different.</p>
<p>"My problem with things like gay parades and gay events is that often times kids see innapproriate behavir going on at these events and its not something that a parent should have to explain."</p>
<p>i'm sorry to be off topic but your an idiot</p>
<p>As one of those gay people, I disagree with the idea of homosexuality being unnatural. (And another apology for being off-topic)</p>
<p>I really think this holds true for college admissions essays: it's not what you write, but how you write it.</p>
<p>Don't write about it just for the sake of writing about something different. Write about it if you really have something to say.</p>
<p>I don't think it's a hook, but it could be an interesting essay topic.</p>
<p>Well this country cant pass a gay marriage law so Im guessing there are alot of people that will discriminate. I wouldnt take my chances. Being gay isnt going to help anyway.</p>
<p>Its Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!</p>
<p>(I am just being silly here, but I just love hearing people say that!)</p>
<p>I don't think that being gay will hurt you or help you in college admissions to HPYS. THere are plenty of gay students who apply to those places, and their admissions officers are very open minded.</p>
<p>If your being gay relates to some accomplishments, then it could help. For instance, if you successfully fought your school admission to start a gay suppport group, it could be a good idea to write an essay about that experience because what you have done would demonstrate great strength of character.</p>
<p>Just writing, though, "I'm gay, and that has caused me pain" or, "I'm gay, and here are stories of my romantic experiences," probably won't open doors for you.</p>
<p>I totally agree with you skibob. I really dont see how what you said is ignorant. </p>
<p>Depending on the admissions people, I think they MIGHT consider it a hook because they are trying to be diverse, but I doubt it.</p>