It’s commonly accepted that woman have an advantage in applying for STEM fields because less of them apply for STEM fields. However, would this advantage still apply to transgender women, assigned male at birth? Would it be more advantageous to just put my gender as Unsure/Questioning? Or should I deny being transgender all together?
I am looking to be a math major and physics minor. My top picks are Caltech, MIT, and Princeton. I would be considered a “transgender woman”, but I will deny that if it’s going to get me discriminated against.
It may be commonly accepted but it is based on data which doesn’t say what people think it says. First of all, MIT does not admit by major. So whether you intend to major in Poli Sci, Linguistics, Econ or Engineering- you aren’t getting a finger on the scale based on your stated interests because that’s not how they admit. And second- the “finger on the scale” at schools which do admit by major is a very, very light touch. It might be marginally relevant at RPI for example– but Princeton doesn’t need to worry about its gender balance- there are more than enough qualified people, regardless of how they identify- that they can ignore the who/what.
Apply as the person that you are. I don’t think there’s an advantage AT ALL to obfuscating the issue.
How do we know these colleges don’t automatically reject transgender applicants? They say they’re accepting, but do we have any proof of any transgender students being enrolled there?
I dont think that would happen BUT in the very unlikely event it did, why would you even want to attend a college that rejects you simply for being who you are?
There’s no college that I am certain will accept me, but the alternative would be to live in my parents’ basement forever. Granted, I’d only be willing to disclose those parts of my identity if I was confident that a college’s priority on diversity outweighed the social stigma pressuring it against admitting applicants like me.
I know many trans students who have been admitted to colleges (my kids’ friends). MIT? I don’t know anyone who’s been admitted there recently (trans or cis), but I doubt they are discriminating. At the same time, LGBTQ+ identity is not a leg up in applications – you wouldn’t fill a “diversity bucket” (which at this point is technically non-existent, because it’s very difficult for colleges to openly prioritize diversity in admissions). It’s a neutral factor. If admitted, it will matter for housing options, but that’s it.
This is a dangerous time to be trans – I know. But there are absolutely universities where you can live authentically in states that will protect you as much as possible. I recommend, in your college search process, that you look up LGBTQ+ student groups at the schools that interest you and contact them to see if you can talk to someone about life on campus. That might help you find some honest information.
Of course nobody can predict how any one admissions officer will read any one application – but on the whole I disagree with the notion that colleges will not accept you if you are honest in your application (exception being very religious/conservative schools like BYU, Liberty, etc.).
IMO best to present yourself honestly and let things fall where they may. Your top picks (which by the way all have gender neutral housing) have acceptance rates under 5% and are absolute reaches for any unhooked applicant. Focus on creating a well considered application list with reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable and that you would be excited to attend.
Agree with @Shelby_Balik that it would be a good idea to contact LGBTQ+ groups on campus or if you visit campus, see if you can make an appointment and speak with a representative.
Identify authentically. Assume that at some point, you’ll be applying for housing. Honestly, I suspect that this won’t move the needle much, if at all.
CDS has an “another gender” category for gender, as well as an “unknown”. They won’t all be trans,but it is an indication of nonbinary acceptance rates. One would hope they are similar to the overall rate assuming there are not just a few applying where you can’t judge statistically.
Why would you answer a question falsely or deny who you are - thinking if you don’t, it will get you rejected? Anyone who doesn’t want you - doesn’t deserve you.
My guess is what will get you rejected is you don’t have the right academic profile, secondary profile (ECs/essays/LORs) for a given school. Not your gender.
But guess what, if your identity is what got you rejected and I find it highly unlikely, then good for you. Why go to an intolerant place.
You be you - and let your record speak for itself.
I’m Jewish. If a school rejected my kid for being Jewish, I’d be glad to know up front.
Except they would never know the why - and neither will you.
Your top schools all admit less than 5% of kids and you can be rest assured they turn down loads and loads and loads of qualified kids. Statistically, and I know nothing about your record, but I would most likely be correct that all three will turn you down - and you’ll never know the why - but I’m beyond confident, your identity won’t be the reason.
But work hard to achieve your goal. Don’t put up unnecessary and likely false walls.
