Is Homosexuality a Hook?

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>Hey all-</p>

<p>Quick summary: I'm gay; is homosexuality (and organizing GLBT advocacy groups) a hook for admission to elite law schools?</p>

<p>Background and question</p>

<p>Now I know we all say that there is no formula for getting in, whether it's undergrad or grad school. But now that I'm in college (a rising sophomore at an Ivy) I'm thinking about grad school, hoping to improve upon the things about which I wasn't so happy from high school. </p>

<p>So, well... I'm gay and though I've devoted my time to other interests, the issues gays face in America greatly bother me, as I, like most everyone else, am interested in getting married, and having the same access to governmental privileges straight couples have. But as we all know, college is about making tough choices regarding how we spend our time and figuring out what activities make the most sense. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm passionate about music and hardly have enough time to pursue it, but I'm wondering, however, if homosexuality (and organizing/leading advocacy groups on GLBT issues) is a good hook; a better hook than talent in music, for law school. </p>

<p>Passion is certainly important in this equation, and I'm in a 'very deep relationship' with music :). But I'm sure that as I get older, these GLBT issues will affect me more, and a fire inside me will develop regarding these issues as well. </p>

<p>Of course, I'm not expecting a definitive answer on how I should spend my time, because ultimately that's for me to decide. But I am curious if anyone knows if many people are pursuing the 'homosexuality card' in law school admissions, whether being gay is unique anymore, and whether that might be a highly desirable characteristic in an applicant for admission to an elite law school.</p>

2

<p>It will help. a very very little bit. Being gay will not make up for a bad LSAT or GPA though.</p>

3

<p>It's definitely not unique. It won't hurt you at any of the top law schools (some law schools have religious affiliations and there it might be a problem, but I doubt you'd be interested in attending those schools). </p>

<p>I wouldn't say it's a "highly desirable characteristic" or a "better hook than music." Law schools generally don't care WHAT you're passionate about (music, gay rights, engineering, whatever)--they care HOW you demonstrate that interest and what leadership and innovation you've brought to the field.</p>

4

<p>As long as you're not looking at Georgetown or Notre Dame, I'd say it would make a great essay ("I want to go to law school because I see <em>this</em> as a big problem in today's society, and the law as an avenue to make my voice heard and change things for the better")</p>

5

<p>You are kidding yourself if you think being gay is a hook. You should focus on promoting your achievements, not your status as a homosexual.</p>

6

<p>Doesn't seem like it would be much of a hook at all unless you are very very active in your community, leading some gay-lesbian alliance or something of that sort to promote diversity. Just being homosexual on its own? That means nothing to them.</p>

7

<p>
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Doesn't seem like it would be much of a hook at all unless you are very very active in your community, leading some gay-lesbian alliance or something of that sort to promote diversity

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<p>Yeah - that's about what I'm asking.</p>

<p>
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You are kidding yourself if you think being gay is a hook. You should focus on promoting your achievements, not your status as a homosexual.

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</p>

<p>How is homosexuality any different than a black student focusing their time on advocacy regarding issues that afflict African Americans? Both are minorities in some way or another, and though I'm not black, I can imagine the ways in which homosexuality might negatively affect a vocation in investment banking or litigation more than status as a racial minority. While I see active corporate initiatives to increase diversity in the workplace, none of them, at least of which I'm aware, have a definition that goes beyond skin color.</p>

<p>
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"I want to go to law school because I see <em>this</em> as a big problem in today's society, and the law as an avenue to make my voice heard and change things for the better"

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</p>

<p>Yes. This is the kind of essay that I'd produce if I devoted more time to such issues. My question: would this essay topic and leadership associated with its topic be a hook for law school?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

8

<p>I agree with razorsharp. Why does the fact that you like to have sex with other dudes make you a better candidate for law school than a normal guy with the same numbers?</p>

9

<p>
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How is homosexuality any different than a black student focusing their time on advocacy regarding issues that afflict African Americans?

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<p>You are mixing status with behavior. A black student who advocates for civil rights and a gay student who advocates for gay rights are engaging in behavior -- they are advocating. In that sense they are the same. If you have examples of your advocacy and it demonstrates your strengths, then present those examples. </p>

<p>A black student who merely has the status of being black and a gay student who has the status of being gay have not engaged in any behavior that would demonstrate their skills. Even though mere status should not make any difference in admissions (in my opinion), having the status of being black does make a difference. Why? Being black is a protected status under the law. Law school admissions staff are usually lawyers who recognize this. Law schools have to report the number of blacks they admit and are often judged by their committment to diversity. Law schools usually don't have to report the number of gay students they admit and are not judged by their peers regarding how many gay students they have. There are many other reasons for different treatment of blacks and gays. To me the biggest difference is that you can hide that you are gay, you can't hide that you are black.</p>

10

<p>slightly off topic, but my experience is that being gay will not be a negative for Georgetown admissions. Can't speak to Notre Dame, Fordham, or other religiously-affiliated schools.</p>

11

<p>
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Why does the fact that you like to have sex with other dudes make you a better candidate for law school than a normal guy with the same numbers?

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</p>

<p>That question applies similarly to the question of what makes racial-minority students more attractive to college admission officers than Caucasians or Asians. Certainly one answer is that racial-minorities likely share different life experiences than average Caucasians because of the discrimination they face and the varying environments in which they mature. Similarly, homosexuals face a cognate form of discrimination; I'd even argue that the form of discrimination is more severe, because, at least in the places with which I'm familiar, racial slurs are taboo, but most people I know easily condone homo-slurs. </p>

<p>I agree with JimmyC045 partially, however, in the idea that my sexual preference or even personal life shouldn't play a role in the workplace; I wish it were true. Unfortunately, however, that is the ideal, and whether you like it or not, homosexuality, and in diminishing cases, race, affect promotion/hiring/etc in the workplace. In that regard, I'm just like your classic racial-minority, except the discrimination I face is harsher, and I have a larger opposition with more powerful weapons (family values, timeless religious texts compared to dated and unsubstantiated personal prejudices) to fight with a smaller 'army.' My life experience, having no one with whom to share my thoughts on my ostensibly disgraceful trait, is unique, and congruent with admissions policies for racial-minorities, desirable, because it adds diversity to a class.</p>

<p>
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Law schools have to report the number of blacks they admit and are often judged by their committment to diversity. Law schools usually don't have to report the number of gay students they admit and are not judged by their peers regarding how many gay students they have.

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<p>Good point.</p>

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To me the biggest difference is that you can hide that you are gay, you can't hide that you are black.

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<p>While I think that is a fair comment, some would find that pretty offensive (hiding ones' personality to achieve success). I am lucky that I have grown up to be a normal seeming, straight-acting guy, but not all are so 'lucky.'</p>

12

<p>
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some would find that pretty offensive

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<p>There is nothing offensive about my comment. No rational person would find it offensive. I didn't say gay's should hide their sexual preference or were wrong for not hiding it. I simply made a true statement. Heterosexuals also can also hide their sexual orientation by avoiding public displays of affection. When a black person walks in the room, everyone can see that person's race. When a gay person walks in the room, no one can tell that person's sexual orientation until that person demonstrates some behavior to indicate sexual orientation.</p>

13

<p>Though I have a few friends who are 'straight-acting,' many of my queer friends are not, meaning that their sexuality is clear as soon as someone hears them speak. That's not exactly something they can hide easily. </p>

<p>Additionally, whereas race discrimination is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the law doesn't deal with discrimination towards homosexuals in many states.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
How is homosexuality any different than a black student focusing their time on advocacy regarding issues that afflict African Americans?

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</p>

<p>You're kidding, right? The similarity is that both are self-aware and trying to make a difference. That's it. Black students are minorities who are likely to be sought out because of their socio-economic background through admission in order to increase the school's demographic and sociological diversity. If you can't see the difference and expect it to be just as big of a hook as URM status (which by itself REALLY doesn't guarantee anything) you're in for a shock. </p>

<p>You are kidding yourself if you think being gay is a hook. It's a part of your personality and may help you appear as more of a person in the eye of the reviewer but that's about it (unless you get self-righteous about it-- you're not the only gay guy in the world so don't try to make yourself out to be, would be my advice).</p>

<p>A hook is supposed to be something that makes adcoms go 'Ooh on top of his stats, this applicant is/has _____ and that makes him more attractive to us'. Gay doesn't fill that blank.</p>

<p>And in all honesty, it wouldn't surprise me that some adcoms would look negatively upon it, given the fact that they are older and sometimes hold more conservative values. I'm sure that people with active prejudices are screened out, but the more passively homophobic can still have active roles in the decision process. That would be my opinion.</p>

15

<p>
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You're not the only gay guy in the world so don't try to make yourself out to be.

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<p>While blacks constitute 13.4% of the American population (according to a 2006 estimate), queers make up, as they say, 1 in 10. If blacks can pretend they're, as you say, 'the only black kids in the world,' I think I can too.</p>

<p>You said that:</p>

<p>
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[Schools seek out black students] to increase the school's demographic and sociological diversity.

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<p>But if we're talking about sociological diversity, I think it's clear queers have just as much to contribute. </p>

<p>Finally, I posted this question not to debate the implications of being gay in America, but rather to test the veracity of my ruminations. Clearly some of these posts don't thrill me (as they destroy my hopes of increased chances :D ), but I nonetheless appreciate them.</p>

16

<p>"While blacks constitute 13.4% of the American population (according to a 2006 estimate), queers make up, as they say, 1 in 10. If blacks can pretend they're, as you say, 'the only black kids in the world,' I think I can too."</p>

<p>The claim that 10% of Americans are homosexual has been fairly strongly debunked. Most credible studies place the number at closer to 3-5%.</p>