Is it worth it to disclose being gay? Forum

[jim1986]

Does anyone know whether or not it helps if you disclose being homosexual? I am also curious if anyone knows of a good DS example. Thank you.

[lsatwizkid]

DS on this might boost your chances a little I think.

[Helmholtz]

Wouldn't hurt unless it's Pepperdine, Liberty, Notre Dame, etc.

[IAFG]

You ask if it's "worth" it. Is there a cost to you? You'll likely get targeted emails and mailings either from or about the school's LGBTQ groups. If that's something that would be a problem for you, it might not be worth it. It's unlikely to give you an admissions boost.

[lats19nys]

You ask if it's "worth" it. Is there a cost to you? You'll likely get targeted emails and mailings either from or about the school's LGBTQ groups. If that's something that would be a problem for you, it might not be worth it. It's unlikely to give you an admissions boost.

Nah, LGBT does get a boost. They are looked as "underrepresented." That always seemed silly to me since anyone on an elite undergraduate/law campus will tell you if anything they are well well overrepresented. If you haven't noticed from many of the sample essays given out even by Yale this round, a lot of people play it up to get that advantage.

[RonnyDworkin]

To the extent that your LGBTness plays an apparent and essential role in what you've done, then I think it makes sense for you to write a DS. Now.... if that's not the case, then of course you should indicate that your LGBT on your application (most schools have a check box for this), but I would not write a whole DS. It would seem contrived.

[jim1986]

I have yet to see a question regarding sexuality on any of the applications I am filling out.

[jetissent]

I have yet to see a question regarding sexuality on any of the applications I am filling out.

Only a few schools I applied to asked directly (I think Chicago and Berkeley were among the few that did); however, if you signed up for CAS they asked there so it will be indicated in the demographic information sent LSAC sends to the school. Personally, I would agree with the posters above. You certainly don't have anything to lose by indicating it (at least not at any school you'd be comfortable studying at anyway).

[IAFG]

Nah, LGBT does get a boost.

Prove it. LSN doesn't indicate that. Schools may want you to believe they're boosting for a number of things that will make them seem holistic and interested in diversity but that's pretty much lip service.

[ec2xs]

You think admissions officers look to see if anybody in their class is lgbt? Sure they do. Who wants to be the one school without any lgbt students? That would cause a major shitstorm at most universities this side of BYU.

[IAFG]

You think admissions officers look to see if anybody in their class is lgbt? Sure they do. Who wants to be the one school without any lgbt students? That would cause a major shitstorm at most universities this side of BYU.

But you don't have to boost any LGBT applicants to achieve this.

[ec2xs]

You think admissions officers look to see if anybody in their class is lgbt? Sure they do. Who wants to be the one school without any lgbt students? That would cause a major shitstorm at most universities this side of BYU.

But you don't have to boost any LGBT applicants to achieve this.

Not a quantitative boost, no. But it does help to ensure a diverse class. Schools are receptive to all sorts of diversity that aren't quantifiable: age, military services, geographic location, gender. Why would it not matter if a student is lgbt? I know my university prides itself on its diversity, and it shows in more ways than just race.

[Cupidity]

Nah, LGBT does get a boost.

Prove it. LSN doesn't indicate that. Schools may want you to believe they're boosting for a number of things that will make them seem holistic and interested in diversity but that's pretty much lip service.

I know the numbers and admission statistics of most of the 25 1L's that attend my school. We all performed exactly as anticipated by LSN and LSP.

[IAFG]

You think admissions officers look to see if anybody in their class is lgbt? Sure they do. Who wants to be the one school without any lgbt students? That would cause a major shitstorm at most universities this side of BYU.

But you don't have to boost any LGBT applicants to achieve this.

Not a quantitative boost, no. But it does help to ensure a diverse class. Schools are receptive to all sorts of diversity that aren't quantifiable: age, military services, geographic location, gender. Why would it not matter if a student is lgbt? I know my university prides itself on its diversity, and it shows in more ways than just race.

If a boost exists over a class with a big enough sample size, it's going to emerge in the data. If ti's not quantifiable, what is it worth to an applicant?

I am not saying you shouldn't disclose it. It's just not going to help you in admissions.