<p>I thought you implied something to that effect in an earlier post. I apologize, either it wasn’t you, or I misinterpreted.
I have no faith in the Academy’s ability to judge writing. The fact that they nominated Borat in the screenplay category demonstrates their confusion in this area. I’m unsure why WRITERS’ GUILD AWARDS needed to be in all caps, believe it or not I can see normal letters quite clearly. The adapted screenplay field was a little weak that year, and Capote got robbed. More dialogue would not have detracted from the characters, it would have added depth to what was essentially a shallow relationship. I would like to emphasize once more that I LIKED Brokeback (I’m assuming that you use caps because they indeed help you). I just felt personally that the main relationship was poorly executed in an otherwise excellent film. I think Brokeback and Crash were great films of comparable quality, and they were both a few notches behind Capote.</p>
<p>Earlier you responded to shoe that you felt the overkill in sexuality in the media applied only to heterosexuality and I read additional info into that statement that wasn’t present, that was my mistake.</p>
<p>Being an “out” member of the LGBT community may help in terms of activism…Being a part of groups such as the Gay/Straight Alliance or Spectrum have no chances of hurting anyone’s acceptance. I have good reason to believe that my work through GSA/other activist organizations helped me get into some of the schools I applied to…</p>
<p>But if your sexuality doesn’t necessarily contribute to your academic success or extracurricular involvement, then I’m not sure how useful the inclusion of your sexual orientation would be in admissions. </p>
<p>I would include it if you feel that it is necessary.</p>
<p>apply to southern schools like Rice and maybe Notre Dame, Baylor, Texas Christian University and Georgetown… they are more tolerant of gays</p>
<p>Whoa, this is a pretty old thread. Nonetheless, someone should point out that Middlebury does NOT practice affirmative action for gay applicants, as was incorrectly stated in post #40.</p>
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<p>Firebird- You forgot Liberty and Bob Jones. ;)</p>
<p>I think that beenig gay is not a hook for at least 10 years. Times when coming out was a heroic deed are over. Now being gay is not much different than being blond, or have freckles, I would say. Even being overweight is a bigger deal.
It does not describe your intellect. And if it does not, why should admission officer care about your sexual orientation? This is your PRIVATE life. So I would suggest to keep it private.
Beyond being gay, I think it is a huge mistake to expect that such private things as sexual life and disfunctional families should be brought up during the admission process. I see it as a demonstration of bad taste in the applications. Or as a demonstration that a person has nothing else interesting to tell about himself.</p>
<p>“apply to southern schools like Rice and maybe Notre Dame, Baylor, Texas Christian University and Georgetown… they are more tolerant of gays”</p>
<p>ummm totally not true. these are perhaps the least tolerant gay schools…</p>
<p>"“apply to southern schools like Rice and maybe Notre Dame, Baylor, Texas Christian University and Georgetown… they are more tolerant of gays”</p>
<p>ummm totally not true. these are perhaps the least tolerant gay schools…"</p>
<p>Okay, I have to say that I was a little bit surprised by the claim that schools in the South are more tolerant of gays (especially Notre Dame [and since when is that in the South?] Texas Christian, and Baylor) but I do have to come to the defense of my university. I’ve been at Rice for almost 4 years and have never felt anything less than total acceptance (I hate using the word tolerance, it makes me think that you’re putting up with something annoying or that you don’t like, so I’d be disappointed to be “tolerated”). </p>
<p>But being gay isn’t an advantage in admissions standards. I feel like it’s perfectly valid to somehow reference being gay in your essays (discrimination issues are just as valid as if you were any other minority or you could show work you’ve done with political advocacy or something) but please please for your own sake and the person reading your essay, don’t write the 10,000th essay on coming out of the closet.</p>
<p>"“apply to southern schools like Rice and maybe Notre Dame, Baylor, Texas Christian University and Georgetown… they are more tolerant of gays”</p>
<p>Bad, bad advice. The South is far more conservative than are many other parts of the country. Baylor, Texas Christian are likely to be the opposite of gay-tolerant.</p>
<p>You’ll probably find more gay-tolerant students in schools in cities like San Francisco where there are lots of gays. Friend of mine is lesbian and a prof at Wesleyan, and says it’s very gay friendly. Harvard also is gay friendly. </p>
<p>Also get advice from students at LBGTA clubs at colleges that interest you.</p>
<p>GW is known by some as “Gay Double-Jew”. I’m willing to bet that the number of gay guys far outnumbers the straight male population at the school.</p>
<p>^endearing.</p>
<p>i would say that it could help your essay, but as far as treating sexuality like race (affirmative action and all that crap)…i dont believe so. anyone can say they are gay-i am not questioning you, just proving a pt- but obviously you cant change your race. so i dont think it affects the other portions of your app besides essay.</p>
<p>NYU, Columbia and Connecticut College are very gay-friendly, as is Vassar.</p>
<p>I wrote about being gay in my applications.</p>
<p>I don’t expect it to be a “tip” of any sort. It simply has been a major focus of my leadership activities. I don’t mean to brag (I’m usually very modest) but…</p>
<p>I began giving speeches to local organizations (and still am), spoke at a televised protest rally, spoke at my school’s faculty meeting (outing myself to the entire staff) regarding homophic remarks in the classroom that are blatantly ignored by teachers, etc. I founded my school’s GSA and served as president. I’m a student liaison and voting member of the local GLSEN Steering Committee. I spend time at the local LGBT youth center and serve on their leadership council (which is kinda open to everyone but whatever). I joined a speakers’g group that is an extension of a political campaign (“Let California Ring”! woot woot!) as an official speaker representing the local LGBT center with the purpose of educating the public about marriage equality and teaching effective means of persuasion to fellow members of the community. My being gay even inspired me to take a public speaking class at the local junior college (earning an A) in order to become a more effective speaker on such a controversial subject.</p>
<p>I explained all of this in the common app short essay where you elaborate on an activity. When a supplemental application requested an essay on someone who has greatly influenced me, I wrote about coming out and how my seventh grade teacher gave me the courage to be who who I am, and she was also the first person to whom I came out. She was the subject of many of my speeches, serving as a great example of the important role teachers can play in shaping students’ lives. (I wrote my common app essay on something entirely different)</p>
<p>I know it’s cliche to use sexuality as a hook, but would I be at an advantage if I were to omit all of these important activities that have shaped me as a person and took many hours of effort?</p>
<p>I truly hope these activities work to my advantage, not simply because I’m gay, but because of my passion for helping others in my community in the face of rampant homophobia. I’m sure any person of any ethnic group with similar activities would have a deserved “edge.” If being gay happens to tip it ever so slightly more, all the better I guess–but I would never expect it from an adcom. I just did it and put my faith in their hands, offering myself and hoping for the best.</p>
<p>Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Please don’t mistake me for someone who just wanted to spout off accomplishments. I felt this was somewhat appropriate since we are discussing how being gay shouldn’t be a hook, or everyone else would be saying they’re gay.</p>
<p>I assume these accomplishments mean that I’m not simply playing the “gay card.” Please correct me if I’m wrong. =D</p>
<p>Quoting:</p>
<p>“I think that beenig gay is not a hook for at least 10 years. Times when coming out was a heroic deed are over. Now being gay is not much different than being blond, or have freckles, I would say. Even being overweight is a bigger deal.
It does not describe your intellect. And if it does not, why should admission officer care about your sexual orientation? This is your PRIVATE life. So I would suggest to keep it private.
Beyond being gay, I think it is a huge mistake to expect that such private things as sexual life and disfunctional families should be brought up during the admission process. I see it as a demonstration of bad taste in the applications. Or as a demonstration that a person has nothing else interesting to tell about himself.”</p>
<p>One: the treatment of gays IS different than that of blond people. I can’t believe you made that comparison. Do you have any idea of the discrimination that gay students still face? And how could you compare gays to blonds, who usually are prized for their rarity and “beauty” (not my opinion).</p>
<p>Two: if it were simply a matter of “private life” and no one cared, then it wouldn’t be an issue. But since this “private life” affects every aspect of our lives (assuming one is out – otherwise this “private life” would make you lead a life of secrecy and shame) it becomes “public life” – especially in the eyes of the law, where some people feel it is their job to mandate what we do in our “private life.”</p>
<p>Three: Again with the comparisons. Dysfunctional families? why not simply compare it to beastiality while we’re at it (pure sarcasm for those who can’t pick up internet sarcasm)</p>
<p>Four: Besides, aren’t gays supposed to have GOOD taste? (just joking – gotta laugh a bit =D)</p>
<p>I hear Michael Jackson wants you to meet him at neverland ranch for some pointers ;)</p>
<p>Just Kidding, had to say it </p>
<p>I wouldn’t say “Advantage” but maybe it gives you something to be proud of in your essay.</p>