<p>xposted</p>
<p>Sorry to post in several different threads, but I would just like to know if being gay counts as URM status? It has certainly had a huge impact on my life, but because I am not ‘out’ due to my heavy involvement in church and other circumstances (mainly living in the South), I don’t even know if I should mention it…</p>
<p>not at all</p>
<p>for lack of a better word, our "resident gays" static and yoshe were deferred harvard ea. static in particular was a surprise to many</p>
<p>I actually don't think there's any official policy regarding sexual orientation and URM status/affirmative action. Also, they don't ask about it on the application because I think legally they aren't allowed to. </p>
<p>That said, if you feel that being gay has really impacted you and you feel comfortable mentioning it somewhere, then I suppose you should do so. DO NOT write your essay about being gay. I repeat DO NOT do that. It's not an appropriate topic at all because it's too personal - like writing about surviving a breakup or something. Maybe mention it in a space where they ask if there's anything else you feel they should know about you. Just make sure that when you do, it's not like "oh by the way I'm gay". Put it in context, make it relevant somehow. </p>
<p>Also, if you're a member of any clubs or organizations dealing with sexual orientation in your school or community, you might mention those or write about those in an essay - in such an essay, a disclosure of your sexual orientation wouldn't be out of place. Also they might be able to infer from your involvement in such organizations (not to say that everyone in them is gay, because that's obviously not true, but just as kinda a hint). But since you're in the South, I guess those organizations don't exist/aren't supported. I dunno. </p>
<p>It seems strange that you aren't "out" in your own community and are willing to come out to a bunch of strangers in an admissions office ... but hey, whatever you're comfy with. I can see where it might be easier, I guess. </p>
<p>Hope this all helps.</p>
<p>"DO NOT write your essay about being gay. I repeat DO NOT do that. It's not an appropriate topic at all because it's too personal - like writing about surviving a breakup or something."</p>
<p>I disagree. I think that any topic, poorly done and melodramatic, that tries to be too intimate with the adcom (like you said, like surviving a breakup) is a bad idea. But an essay "about being gay" is a really broad topic, and there are many things one can say about his or her homosexuality that would, in my opinion, make a good essay and not make any reader uncomfortable. Unless that's not what you were saying, of course, and then I apologize.</p>
<p>I'm actually going to disagree with you on one point, caramel.</p>
<p>I think it's perfectly fine to write an essay about being gay/bi/transgender/etc. My friend did so--she is a lesbian--and was accepted early to an Ivy. I think it's perfectly acceptable as long as the essay talks about it in some way that makes clear its relevance to your life and ideas. The reader should get a since of WHY your essay is about it--a reason other than, say, because you want to stand out among a bunch of heterosexuals. In that case, it might work against you.</p>
<p>And, in response to your "too personal" comment--it is, after all, a Personal statement.</p>
<p>Just my $2 and change. ;-)</p>
<p>I think I'd advise leaving it out. It's less likely to help than it is to hurt your app.</p>
<p>Why would it hurt, d'ya think?</p>
<p>It might hurt a lot because I'm an Eagle Scout and am very very involved with my Church, but I think that I could write a fairly compelling essay that explained the situation and showed why it's so diverse.</p>
<p>Maybe I should just write a short essay-ish thing and send it to a few of you to see what you think? I have other essays that I've written and submitted to another college, so maybe I should send those to compare.</p>
<p>The reason that I think that it might be good is because it ties a lot of the things that I do together. Being gay has led to low low self esteem for me and all of the activities that I do have kind of helped to reverse that problem for me.</p>
<p>I'm still not sure how it'd hurt you. I haven't read my friend's entire essay, but from what she told me, it's about her sexuality viewed through a cultural lense--and in that sense, how is writing about growing up gay any different than writing about growing up black, or Irish, or a woman? </p>
<p>In my opinion, sincerity counts for everything. If controversy's what you're looking for, and that's definitely not the impression I'm getting, then don't do it. But if it really means something to you, and if it's really a topic that you're comfortable writing about expressively and honestly, I'm not quite convinced that it will be held against you; I'd go for it.</p>
<p>Xnothingxnewx,
The essay that you are planning to do sounds like a good idea. Without making excuses for you, it would give adcoms a glimpse into who you are, what motivates you, and even possibly why you are applying to the colleges that you selected.</p>
<p>Should any colleges reject you because of the essay, that's probably for the best because you wouldn't be happy at a college where the real you would not be acceptable. Harvard is a very liberal place where even the longtime chaplain, Peter Gomes, is gay and out. I think that the kind of essay that you are planning to write will be well received. If you don't get accepted, it will be because the odds are long for everyone, not because of your sexual orientation.</p>
<p>from what i hear (this is a joke, but from what i hear)
harvard is one of those crazy liberal schools that loves gay people
and automatically accepts them
so a bunch of us from school was gonna take a picture of a group hug and send it to harvard</p>
<p>maybe we should have
i feel like i got deferred for being straight
oh well</p>
<p>If you're not open about your sexuality and are not ready, then why should you open up for some admission committee. I'm sure it'll only help you in terms of admission, but becareful how you approach the essay. It won't hurt. But than again, you never know. You might get some religious bigot reading your essay.</p>
<p>I doubt that. Unless you come across as a complete social retard (i.e. a racist, sexist, etc.) they can't judge you for your preferences/opinions. </p>
<p>And, 1212--trust me. Heterosexuality is no basis for deferring someone. =) </p>
<p>Nor is being gay a basis for accepting someone. I really think it's all contextual; a "piece of the puzzle," if you will.</p>
<p>I talked about my sexuality quite a bit in my essays. I think a good essay is a good essay, whatever it's about. If you could write a good essay on an elephant's intestinal tract and make it engaging and deeply personal, than do it. I don't know exactly how one would manage the latter, but a well-written essay about being gay in a country as intolerant as ours would surely be a plus to your application. Go for it, and good luck!</p>
<p>hey did u guys see alexander??</p>
<p>Why? Cause he was bi?</p>
<p>I kind of like to leave those things out. I feel that if you write something like that, you're asking to be pitied, as if the world owes you for being homosexual. It shouldn't have to be about that. I don't know. I tend to leave those taboo issues out.</p>
<p>" kind of like to leave those things out. I feel that if you write something like that, you're asking to be pitied, as if the world owes you for being homosexual."</p>
<p>Once again, it's all in how one writes it. If one pours out one's heart and soul to the adcom, then it's possible that the essay may come across as being desperate and pity-seeking. I think we can all realize, however, that there are so many different approaches one can take when writing about the same topic. An essay about being homosexual doesn't have to make anyone uncomfortable, and it doesn't have to come across as tabboo.</p>
<p>xnothingxnewx, i read where you stated that you are heavily involved in your church activies, as well as an eagle scout. I would highly recommend not writing an essay about being gay, because as an eagle scout, you clearly have lied in the past about being 'morally straight.' Just my two cents, but any adcom familiar with the scouting program will think twice about your character if you have consistantly lied to people about that.</p>