<p>I've noticed that in the main section of the Common App it asks for sex (M/F), but on supplements it asks for gender (M/F). I'd love to believe that the supplements are asking about gender identity, but is this really the case? I'm trans and would prefer to select the gender with which I most closely identify. (Being non-binary complicates things further, but I'm close enough to one end of the spectrum that I'd feel comfortable choosing one over the other.) </p>
<p>However, I know that most people tend to think of "sex" and "gender" as synonyms, and I fear that some admissions reps might be of this belief. I don't want anyone to think that I'm at all trying to deceive or joke around (and my legal name is very birth-gender-specific, so I assume it would raise some eyebrows); I'd just like to most accurately respond to the question. Any suggestions on how to go about this? What do you guys think they're really asking for?</p>