jay814

Hi everybody!

I'm a current high school senior and I'm applying to Columbia ED.

I finished my application and supplement already and after looking through it, I'm afraid that I talked too much about my sexuality.

My college essay is about my relationship with my mother before and after my rough coming out experience. My extracurricular essay is about GSA. And my "Why Columbia?" essay is about the rich gay culture of the city and how Columbia created the first gay student group. My list of pleasure readings, publications and other entertainments all follow the same theme as well.

These were the things that I naturally gravitated towards and thought that I could pump the most passion into since it is the topic closest to my heart. I'm just afraid that I won't come across as a well-rounded person.

Any advice? Thanks in advance!

Oh, and good luck to all applying to Columbia ED! I'm sure I'll be freaking out alongside all of you as results are coming out

scottdisick

I think it's fine. It seems like it's something you're passionate about (which is always ideal in these essays) and it doesn't raise any red flags. I would go for it if I were you

panda587

idk I am gay and applied ED, I did not really put anything about being gay in my application because I know its who I am, but it is not all I am. I hope you put more of your educational interests in there. good luck!

Goodnyte

I think it should be fine. It is a part of who you are and it is very close to your heart. Colleges are looking for who you are and things you are passionate about.
Your essay provides them with a part of your life that obviously affected you.
Overall, you should be fine and stop stressing. You did what you gravitated towards and you talked about yourself. That is what matters.

jay814

Thanks for the advice everybody! I submitted a couple of weeks ago and changed only slightly my "Why Columbia?" essay to include academic as well as social strengths of Columbia. I decided everything else carried a poignant resonance that I couldn't replicate in another topic.

Good luck to all applying ED! Now, we wait

brandnew3773

Honestly the gay community here is very VERY strong so I definitely think that could help you in the applicant pool. Columbia really prides themselves on being incredibly diverse and because of that they focus a lot on the ECs here that are LGBTQA themed. I don't think that theme will hurt you at all and it may even help you.

pwoods

If your experiences relating to sexuality really shaped who you are and are a distinct passion of yours, then it will just help you. Sure, if you were head of your GSA and also a piano maestro, it would be prudent to include both, but if LGBTQIA+ issues are what you're most passionate about, then it's not bad to focus on that. And since the gay scene at NYC (not to mention Columbia) is a huge part of our culture, I don't think it's bad to focus on that, either.

Over all, I wouldn't worry too much.

colum2017

Interesting. I was wondering the same thing, except I felt like my application was largely focused on multiculturalism and my religion. Good luck to everyone!