Mention being gay?

<p>I've talked to a few people about this but can't seem to get a straight answer, no pun intended. Should I write in my college essay about anything hinting that I'm gay?</p>

<p>I think it depends on the school you're applying to. I would say that most admissions officers are pretty open-minded - the major exception would be those at conservative/Christian colleges.</p>

<p>Do you mention it in job interviews?</p>

<p>riverrunner- I don't think thats a fitting analogy. When you're applying for a job they're hiring you based on work ethic and skill, but when you're applying to college they're accepting you based on you as an overall person. Most of what you would write college essays on would be completely irrevelent at a job interview, but colleges are interested in learning it. So, to college3bound, if this is an important part of your experience, you should include it. As long as you mention it in a tasteful way, no adcom will discriminate against you.</p>

<p>Globalist has a pretty good point- at a non-Christian/conservative school, the admissions officers are very likely to be extremely open minded. In fact, it could help your chances of getting in, since admissions offices love making diverse campuses.</p>

<p>If a school is preppy, conservative, or christian, I wouldn't disclose it.</p>

<p>My choices ranked in order from most desirable for me to least:</p>

<p>BC
NYU
BU
NU</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses but it sounds like I shouldn't disclose it to BC? How about the others?</p>

<p>I wouldn't worry about disclosing it from a "what if they notice that I'm gay and don't want me because I'm gay" perspective. But you do need to make sure that your essay is actually good, meaning addresses the topic you're aiming for. So if you're trying to demonstrate you leadership or initiative skills and you're really proud of work you did with a GLBT organization or something, by all means mention it. Another "I'm gay therefore have a unique view of the world" essay, unless there is something very original in it, probably won't do you that much good.</p>

<p>I think I have an awesome essay idea that is very unique, but should I even bother mentioning the part of the story about being gay for BC and how about the other schools?</p>

<p>I don't think you should tell BC, but NYU is really open about that kind of stuff, so it would be fine in their essay</p>

<p>If you think you'd be able to right a good essay about it, I'd go for it. I think that could be something that could really show your character. If you're mentioning it to gain sympathy or to strike a blow for civil rights, I'd avoid it.</p>

<p>Ok, thanks again for the great replies!</p>

<p>hijacking this thread because I was just going to post one very similar:</p>

<p>I'm contemplating writing an essay about when I realized I was gay and my coming-out experience. But nothing ****es me off more than people who make a huge deal out of being gay, and I feel like that essay, instead of being about something that truly shaped my life, will end up reading like an in-your-face declaration of my sexuality. </p>

<p>(and sorry again, collge3bound, for hijacking your thread!)</p>

<p>It's ok. I'm sure colleges get a lot of coming out stories. I'd do something more like the way I've grown from it or something.</p>