<p>I was wondering, when I'm applying to colleges, should I mention that I'm transgender? Is it my responsibility to tell them, and would it give me any points? The colleges I'm applying to are all GLBT friendly, so I wasn't sure and thought the parents forum would be the place to go. Thanks for any and all help!</p>
<p>No. I can't see why it would have any bearing on anything, other than possibly housing placement -- but that would come after acceptance. Good luck.</p>
<p>No. Not unless there is a place on the app where this info is requested (and I don't believe there is).</p>
<p>I agree with the above. You may also find some insight in reaching out to the LBGT organizations on the campuses that you are considering attending.</p>
<p>First of all, you should aspire to contact each school's GLBT group or service to answer any questions you have and talk to a couple students. You should also make sure that you have housing options that you will feel comfortable with. Those things are paramount. </p>
<p>Some schools are much more approachable than others. Penn, if I remember correctly, has a large and active GLBT center. You definitely can and should talk to them when you visit. </p>
<p>If it comes up in your application (activities, awards, explanation for time off, etc.), then that is fine. Don't worry about it. If it doesn't, it would probably be awkward to state it explicitly anywhere. When you visit, if you feel comfortable and feel it is appropriate, you can talk with an admissions counselor about any questions or concerns you have regarding housing or anything else. It may be useful to see some examples of how various people in administration treat you and your questions, especially if you're going to need to work with the college administration in the future (such as if you're planning to transition or apply for non-traditional housing).</p>
<p>It is not your responsibility to tell them. This is not a matter that the University needs to know.</p>
<p>This is none of admissions' business. It need not be mentioned in your applications.</p>
<p>But it's certainly important for you to find a campus where you will be comfortable and your needs will be met. There are practical issues such as roommate assignments and single-gender bathrooms that could greatly affect your quality of life. Also, some campuses will be more friendly to a transgender student than others will.</p>
<p>Definitely contact the LGBT organizations at every school you plan to apply to and ask specific questions about transgender issues. You'll be able to learn a lot about whether or not you would be happy on campus just from these conversations. </p>
<p>Besides Penn, as mentioned below, another approachable school is Cornell. Not only do they have an active LGBT community, they also have plenty of singles in the freshmen dorms and plenty of off-campus housing opportunities for upperclassmen, both of which could make your life easier.</p>
<p>If you've legally changed your gender then I don't believe there's any responsibility to tell them and I wouldn't think housing or bathrooms would be any issue since there are laws surrounding this (check for the state you'll be in). If you haven't gone through the legal change, it's more complex.</p>
<p>I also don't know why you'd want it on your app unless you wanted to include it in an essay about issues you've faced and surmounted or something.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help...my main concern though is that I'll be applying as "Stephanie" (not my real name) and how I should tell them that they're gonna need to find hosuing for a Stephen?</p>
<p>This is not a new issue for any large university. WashDad is right that you will manage housing issues after you are admitted.</p>
<p>Upennite, the housing isn't the issue. If you will be applying under a female name when you are not legally female or have a different legal name, you'll have a few issues to work out. College applications ask for gender. You do not need to give your biological sex. I am pretty sure that Penn allows applicants to leave the gender question blank. If you'd like, you may want to inquire about that option at other schools. It may require you submitting applications by paper if the online service refuses to send an application with one answer missing. Other issues include what name your current school uses for you. Your recommendations, transcript, and school report all need to be sent by the school. If your school uses a different name, then you may very well want to send along a brief explanation in the "additional information" section to clear up any confusion--they may think they've mixed up two applicants, for example, so let them know that you now go by a name other than your legal name. Finally, if your name is legally different than the one you're applying with, you're going to need to double check some things. Many (all?) applications will have someplace for you to sign. I don't remember the specifics about what you'll be signing, but it's always important to sign any legal documents with your legal name (such as early decision agreements--though I wouldn't recommend ED in your case because of housing issues; if appropriate housing isn't offered, you don't want to be bound to the school). Also, your SAT/ACT scores will probably be sent under your legal name. If this differs from the name you currently use, you will probably need to tell the college in order to make sure they get your scores and attach them correctly to your file.</p>
<p>Housing can wait until later. There should be options other than someone female-identified living in male housing, by the way. Look for gender neutral housing, apartment style rooms, GLBT housing, singles, or doubles with the gender you feel most comfortable living with. You should have a few housing options available to you, and you should be able to pick the type of housing you would feel safest and most comfortable in. You should research options now, but you don't need to deal with that until after you're accepted.</p>
<p>Alrighty, thanks for your help!</p>
<p>siliconvalleymom, it might not be a new issue, but it's still not one that all large universities deal with in a satisfactory way.</p>
<p>You have absolutely no responsibility to disclose. I don't think in and of itself being transgender would be an admissions boost unless it affects some other aspect of your application--activist accomplishments, an explanation for an errant dip in your grades, whatever. If you want to disclose, it probably wouldn't hurt you admissions-wise, and might save you some irritation at mail being addressed to the wrong title and name.</p>
<p>However, for your own happiness, definitely investigate how trans-friendly your schools are! Housing options vary widely from school to school, so don't feel like you have to wait until acceptance to find out what you'd be in for. If you don't pass consistently, find out (from current transgender students, if possible) how you're likely to be treated on campus, how respectful professors will be, etc. If you're interested in or are already pursuing medical transition, find out whether the student health center will be helpful at all with that. Plenty of places talk a good line about inclusion, have a trans-friendly non-discrimination policy, etc., but aren't quite so friendly when the rubber hits the road and your real needs have to be met.</p>
<p>Pseudonym, I guess you are right. Since I'm most familiar with University of California campuses, I can forget that sometimes the rest of the country isn't quite as open-minded.
Here's a thought for the OP: have you thought about Berkeley or UCLA? You will find a large LGBT community at both schools.</p>
<p>Berkeley actually is on my list, although I haven't received good feedback as to my chances, especially being out of state</p>