Questions regarding LGBT as an URM Forum

[Chadallen]

Hi everybody,

I'm beginning to put the materials together for applications and I am unsure of whether or not to mention my being gay as a piece of a diversity statement. I can imagine this is considered a lesser degree of minority but it has affected my life in a big way and I've got some great things to say about how it has helped shape who I am ect. But I'm must unsure if it might hurt prospects. Any ideas?

The four schools I'm looking at right now are Depaul, Loyola (Chicago), Chicago-Kent and John Marshall (Chicago). I got a 157 on the June LSAT and I'm retaking in October and a 3.3 LSGPA. Hopefully I'll do better but at this point 3/4 are somewhat of a reach I think.

Thanks!

[D-hops]

Definitely mention it in a diversity statement. It won't give you a traditional URM boost but schools will look at it as a soft factor in admissions. None of the schools you mentioned, to my knowledge, would treat being gay as a negative factor in admissions.

[tfc7x]

Tough one. As a gay person who just finished her cycle, I'll share my perspective. Do I think I was considered URM in the traditional sense (i.e. Afr-Am, Mex-Am)? No. I doubt my file was marked URM. I did not get into any schools where I was 4+ points below the avg LSAT. Do I think my experience as a lesbian helped me write a compelling diversity statement? Yes. Do I think my status as a lesbian made me stand out slightly from other applicants? Yes. In other words, being gay can only help your application, yet it's still more of a "soft factor" than anything else.

Hope that makes sense! Good luck!

[D-hops]

Tough one. As a gay person who just finished her cycle, I'll share my perspective. Do I think I was considered URM in the traditional sense (i.e. Afr-Am, Mex-Am)? No. I doubt my file was marked URM. I did not get into any schools where I was 4+ points below the avg LSAT. Do I think my experience as a lesbian helped me write a compelling diversity statement? Yes. Do I think my status as a lesbian made me stand out slightly from other applicants? Yes. In other words, being gay can only help your application, yet it's still more of a "soft factor" than anything else.

Hope that makes sense! Good luck!

I generally agree with this statement except when you are applying to schools with a strong, conservative religious component to the University.

[DorianGray89]

I've only heard positive stuff about coming out in your application. Most admissions directors are liberal in their views, even in religiously affiliated universities. Go for it, it can only help. It also helps in the professional field. Apparently gay lawyers stick together and help each other out.