Talking about being gay in application form?

Overused in the US admissions system. As is losing a family member, coping with illness/loss etc.

Go for it if it really made a difference, but be aware a lot of others will be talking about it. You need to really differentiate yourself using it. Don't fall in to the trap of writing a sob story. You need to focus on what changed about you. Not what "being gay" and "coming out" was about to other people.

Also please don't listen to anyone who's advising you from only experience/knowledge of the UK uni/application system. The American and British ones are completely different

An application to the Sutton Trust's USA summer school has the following question:
Write about a time when you have been challenged (academically, emotionally, physically, etc). How did you approach the situation, and what did you learn from this experience?



I was thinking that I could answer this by describing my "coming out" story but is this too risky? I'm thinking that the admissions might be homophobic which would scupper my chances but then maybe me being in a minority and talking frankly and openly about my experience would show a good character. Is this too personal/weird or is this a good idea?

This is honest and accurate.


OP, write what you feel. If it's coming out, then write that. If they have a problem, then at least you lost being you instead of trying to hide yourself.

Thanks for the response. I was going to go down more of the "I found the confidence to do it and it made me become more self-appreciative and less doubtful of my friends and family etc." rather than the x-factor sob story route of "tears streamed down my face as I held my mum's hand"

The problem is I've had a pretty all right life without too much pain or hardship so thinking of this sort of stuff is kind of hard unless I wanted to be trivial and talk about the time I got 4/10 on a test, went away and revised some more, then scored 10/10.

No, keep it like the UCAS personal statement, but written in an essay fashion with some introspection.

Your sexuality is best ignored. Though colleges and universities in general have a higher proportion of LGBT people than the general population.

You're better off talking about hard work and opportunities, emotional baggage doesn't say much to colleges, unless you've overcome some extremely serious issues, and still done well in life.

Trust me - a lot of people feel that way I'm definitely not going to try to discourage you. Because while a lot of people write about coming out or being a minority, a lot of those people fail to show the committee that it isn't just a story they want sympathy from.

There is a fine line to draw, but it's very possible. I know exactly what you mean with the mundane life thing haha. I think @aymanzayedmannan can vouch that a lot of people find it confusing to write about.

The great thing about US admissions committees is that you can actually talk about rather mundane things. It's about the effect it had on you and how you dealt with it and changed as a result. So the coming out story is a great way to start. But focus on you!

Remember. This is NOTHING like the UCAS PS. Many people fall short trying to bring back their academics in to the essays.

Mate, I got this EXACT essay on one of my apps. I talked about how my mum left me home alone for 3 weeks during my AS-levels and how I got the class highest in AS Physics from that situation. If that isn't mundane, I don't know what is!

Trust me - a lot of people feel that way I'm definitely not going to try to discourage you. Because while a lot of people write about coming out or being a minority, a lot of those people fail to show the committee that it isn't just a story they want sympathy from.

There is a fine line to draw, but it's very possible. I know exactly what you mean with the mundane life thing haha. I think @aymanzayedmannan can vouch that a lot of people find it confusing to write about.

The great thing about US admissions committees is that you can actually talk about rather mundane things. It's about the effect it had on you and how you dealt with it and changed as a result. So the coming out story is a great way to start. But focus on you!

Remember. This is NOTHING like the UCAS PS. Many people fall short trying to bring back their academics in to the essays.

Mate, I got this EXACT essay on one of my apps. I talked about how my mum left me home alone for 3 weeks during my AS-levels and how I got the class highest in AS Physics from that situation. If that isn't mundane, I don't know what is!

I think after evaluating the responses on here I might go for something a little more academical. Maybe when I found it hard to juggle 11 different subjects at GCSE and didn't organise my time properly so consequently got disappointing mock results. After reconsidering my attitude to learning, time management and revision techniques I studied hard to get GCSE I was pleased with.

Better example maybe?

I'd strongly advise against that. It *can* work but it is incredibly hard to perfect without talking about yourself academically, which is exactly what they don't want. They know you did well at GCSE and they know you studied hard to do that.

I really don't think that's a good idea

okay, thanks because I would've probably have gone for that if you hadn't said anything. I'll just have to have a bit more of a think

Do consider it highly. I think you can make the coming out work, but only if you strongly keep it to how you developed as a person. Think of yourself before and after. Did you care as much what anyone thought?

Oh and the #1 most ignored tip: be honest. Try not to exaggerate at all. They've read thousands of apps. It isn't hard to tell someone exaggerating

Thank you Student403 you've been a real help