So as college admissions decisions come in I’m having a really big dilemma. I just got accepted with a full tuition scholarship to St. John’s University in Queens, NY, and my parents have basically assumed that I’m going there. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an excellent school and a full tuition scholarship, plus the possibility of being in their Honors program, is hard to turn down. I really liked it when I went to visit; however, I’m freaking out a little bit because I’m gay and I don’t know if it’s a very gay friendly school. I read online that the school has stopped a GSA from forming multiple times in the past, and I don’t think many LGBT students are out there.
I’ve been accepted to other schools that I’d love to attend; for example, Fordham with Honors and Northeastern, but I don’t know that I’ll be able to afford to attend. I’ve also applied to the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, which I would hope may be more accepting of LGBT students, but I don’t know that I’d have a true “college experience there.” I’m still waiting to hear back from a few schools including UPenn and Columbia, which would most likely give me more aid than Northeastern and Fordham if by some miracle I was accepted SO I guess I can pray I get into one of those schools too to give me more leverage. But what are your opinions? Will I be ostracized at St. John’s for being LGBT?
I don’t know if a Catholic college would be a good fit. That being said, I’ve heard Fordham is more liberal. UPenn and Columbia would most likely be a good choice for you. Sounds like you need to talk to your parents about your worries. You need them to understand that you need to feel comfortable where you go. Try looking online for gay friendly colleges. I wish I could tell you St Johns would be a good fit. I honestly don’t know how comfortable you would feel there since you’re already worried. Good Luck.
Hey! I’m in the same boat as you. I got into Fordham & SJU and honestly, finances aside, picking between the two would be very very difficult (I’m also LGBTQ). I’m in a groupchat with a few other admits on this app called “quad” (btw, if you have a smartphone please download this! It’s an amazing way to connect with potential future classmates and meet them. I’m in it with Fordham & SJU kids and honestly, it’s so nice knowing who I may spend the next 4 years with. DOWNLOAD IT!!!) anyways, from what I’ve gathered from talking to fellow admits for a few days is that even though SJU is lacking a GSA, it’s still a liberal school. Can’t speak for the teachers as I have yet to visit, but I can say undoubtedly that your potential future classmates are 100% liberal and supportive. A lot of the guys I’m in the group with are gay. If you wanna know more PM me! I’ll try to help as much as I can! Good luck
Anyone decide to go to SJU? It’s not easy to pass on the full tution scholarship. Even with the scholarship money from Fordham, NYU and SUNY schools, they are still really expensive!
I also got into St. John’s with scholarship offers. I’m female to male transgender and worried about their acceptance level for transgender and gay students. I also heard about the fight that the GSA had to form. I don’t know if they have a strong LGBT student alliance. I’ve done a lot of googling, but could not find anything other than the GSA issue they had.
I’ve also applied to the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, which I would hope may be more accepting of LGBT students, but I don’t know that I’d have a true “college experience there.” I’m still waiting to hear back from a few schools including UPenn and Columbia, which would most likely give me more aid than Northeastern and Fordham if by some miracle I was accepted SO I guess I can pray I get into one of those schools too to give me more leverage. But what are your opinions? Will I be ostracized at St. John’s for being LGBT?