<p>I'm considering disscussing growing up gay either in the "Why Us" supplement -- by relating it to feeling comfortable at NU -- or in my main essay. Would this be a bad idea? Do you think I'd be increasing or decreasing my chances of admission?</p>
<p>I think you should mention it only if you have a believable reason for why NU and gayness mesh well. For example, look into the Rainbow Alliance at NU and see what events they have put on in the past year. Then use that in your essay. Don't just say 'I'm gay and I think I will be happy at NU.'</p>
<p>I think lilybbloom gave you great advice. I really believe this is a non issue at NU and would not prohibit you from being admitted by any stretch. Openly gay faculty members have brown bag lunches with gay and lesbian students on a regular (monthly, I think) basis. </p>
<p>If your essay is not well written, however, you won't get in - gay or straight.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>"Straight"... I guess that makes a gay person "crooked" .... :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Ok, my bad..."gay or not." You get the message. NU is known to be tolerant of all people. It's one of the many things I like about the school.</p>
<p>what's wrong with saying "straight?" ever heard of the "gay-straight alliance?"</p>
<p>how about this:</p>
<p>"gay"... I guess that makes a straight person "unhappy"</p>
<p>lol what if the person reading your essay is really homophobic?</p>
<p>then you're screwed</p>
<p>well there are a lot of gay admissions officers at northwestern. so i think you'll be fine. and would you really want to go to a school that hires homophobic admissions officers anyway?</p>
<p>^ how would you know if the person was homophobic? lol, i'm just saying i wouldn't take the risk because homosexuality isn't completely "accepted" by all people (myself included)..</p>
<p>"There are a lot of gay admissions officers at northwestern"</p>
<p>How many admissions officers are there? Does a lot mean more than the usual 10%??</p>
<p>PKswmr76, what will you do if you are assigned a gay roommate or were you sure to cover that base by rooming with a friend?</p>
<p>I just don't get how anyone can't accept another person unless that person is bad or mean or rude and being gay does not = being bad, mean or rude. In fact, some of the nicest, most compassionate people I have ever met have been gay.</p>
<p>Research continues to indicate that one's sexual orientation is in one's hardwiring and is not a choice anymore than the color of your own skin or your own sexual orientation.</p>
<p>I hope you will be more accepting and tolerant over time because you are sure to encounter many gay people at NU. It would be a shame for you to be prejudiced before even getting to know someone over this.</p>
<p>I find the discussion of how one comes to be homosexual is pointless. Anyone who claims to completely understand if its innate or not is a liar. Scientists have yet to incontrovertibly prove what creates homosexuality.
And there are a few gay professors. Obviously, there are more gays in the arts than in the sciences. I don't know about percentages, specifically more than "the usual 10%" (note: 10% of the population is not gay. That's a myth perpetuated by GLAAD to make homosexuality seem more mainstream. The actual number is around 5%).
I'd write about it if it makes you more interesting or has shaped your life experiences somehow. Otherwise, being attracted to the same gender is unimportant.</p>
<p>Yeah, 10% always "seemed" way to high. Makes you wonder if they are accounting for the closeted gays, which of course would be ridiculous and impossible! The science department at my public high school has three gay teachers, and to my knowledge, no teachers of any other subject are gay.</p>
<p>I second CerebralAssassin. I wouldn't put it in "why NU" essay, at least not as the main reason because NU isn't unique in this regard--no less or more tolerant than most other peers. NU isn't known to be as far-left as Oberlin/Wesleyan.</p>
<p>"PKswmr76, what will you do if you are assigned a gay roommate or were you sure to cover that base by rooming with a friend?"</p>
<p>lol i would switch out of the room. it would be weird to room with someone who could potentially be attracted to you. i don't hate gay people, i'm just not comfortable with it.</p>
<p>i honestly think that writing about sexual preferences in the "why NU" essay is a mistake</p>
<p>I appreciate all of your insights; the discussion has been really helpful.</p>
<p>IMO don't do it just to be safe. You don't want to regret it later on: "how could they have rejected me..my stats were amazing and my essays were imaginative and creative...Were the majority of the admissions officers homophobic? <em>starts crying</em>". Focus on the other unique things about yourself.</p>
<p>PKswmr76, Just for the sake of this conversation, let's say some guy WAS attracted to you. You could say, "I'm not interested" or "I'm not gay" (or if you REALLY wanted to be kind you could say, "I'm flattered, but I'm not interested") and that would be the end of it. </p>
<p>A gay person would not try to convince you to "turn." - it can't be done. You can't become gay if you are straight and gays can't become straight if they are gay - that is what every gay friend and relative I've talked to has told me, and I know quite a few, coming from a liberal/tolerant area. Some are comfortable with their orientation and others would give anything to be straight. This particular prejudice is so offensive to me. </p>
<p>I have changed my mind, Ricky1010, I agree with racnna's post. If there is any way it could hurt your chances, it's not worth it. Being gay is not all that you are, just like being straight is not all that I am. Concentrate on your other fine qualities, of which I am sure there are many. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Haha, everyone in this forum should take Human Sexuality when it's offered at NU (next Winter I believe).</p>
<p>J. Michael Bailey is a hack....</p>