5 answers
Xander
Student
Norton, Virginia
5
Questions
Asked
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When writing my admissions essay, should I include the fact that I am trans?
I don't know how much they need to know about me. I'm not transitioned yet, and I'm afraid if I say I'm a male and then show up female presenting they won't accept me or will kick me out.
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5 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Xander,
Thank you for your question! That is such an important and difficult issue.
I would also be scared that I would be disadvantaged in some way if I reveal my identity. On the other hand, going to college is such a natural break in your biography that it would be easier to "start fresh" before you get diplomas and transcripts and a work history with the wrong gender and a deadname on it. You could also craft a killer essay writing about your story.
Obviously, this is a very personal decision that only you can make. Things I would consider:
Do you plan to transition any time soon?
What are the relevant laws in your state (or the university's state) with regard to name changes, gender affirming care, access to hormones etc.
Is the university LGBTQ+ friendly?
Look for LGBTQ+ organisations on campus. Check if there are physical spaces and support groups or counselling for LGBTQ+ people. What about access to facilities, participation in sports, assignment of dorm rooms? Also check if there have been any incidences of violence or bullying against LGBTQ+ students, and how the university dealt with it.
I have left some resources for you at the bottom.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/
https://www.campuspride.org/
https://www.lgbtcampus.org/
Thank you for your question! That is such an important and difficult issue.
I would also be scared that I would be disadvantaged in some way if I reveal my identity. On the other hand, going to college is such a natural break in your biography that it would be easier to "start fresh" before you get diplomas and transcripts and a work history with the wrong gender and a deadname on it. You could also craft a killer essay writing about your story.
Obviously, this is a very personal decision that only you can make. Things I would consider:
Do you plan to transition any time soon?
What are the relevant laws in your state (or the university's state) with regard to name changes, gender affirming care, access to hormones etc.
Is the university LGBTQ+ friendly?
Look for LGBTQ+ organisations on campus. Check if there are physical spaces and support groups or counselling for LGBTQ+ people. What about access to facilities, participation in sports, assignment of dorm rooms? Also check if there have been any incidences of violence or bullying against LGBTQ+ students, and how the university dealt with it.
I have left some resources for you at the bottom.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much, this will help a lot :)
Ashley Gibbons
Writer
2
Answers
Monona, Wisconsin
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Hey there!
I know I'm a bit late here, but I feel like I could share some useful advice.
As a trans person myself, I can tell you that as a general rule, most individuals you come across in most contexts won't care whatsoever whether you're trans or not, so I wouldn't let the fear of discrimination factor into your decision-making too much. That's not to say that nobody is going to take issue with you for who you are (because people will sometimes), but it's unlikely to seriously impact your long-term goals.
When it comes to admissions essays, the overall purpose of them is to illustrate your character. Admissions officers have to sort through hundreds of thousands of pages every year to vet potential students and most of the information at their disposal, like GPAs or organizational memberships, doesn't really tell them anything about an individual. Plenty of universities have multitudes of smart, hard-working people lining up to get in, but those aren't the only qualities that matter.
An admissions essay is the one opportunity to show what you're truly like as a person. You can elucidate others about your level of personal growth, how you problem-solve, what your soft skills are, what your perspective is, and what your underlying motivations are in life.
Being trans is a major component of who anyone is, so it's definitely a viable subject to write about and unlikely to be a topic other students pick, so there's the uniqueness factor to consider. That being said, you under absolutely no obligation to write about it unless you want to; only you get to decide how relevant it is to your character, nobody else. There are certainly other aspects of your personality you can highlight in your essay.
When it comes to certain decisions like on-campus housing, then mentioning your gender identity will be an important thing to do, but it's by no means obligatory in your college essay.
On a more personal note, I know what it's like to navigate through life while transitioning and it can be super awkward at times, especially in the beginning, but over time you start to get a feel for what's appropriate to do and what isn't, until it doesn't really phase you much anymore.
I hope this helps, good luck!
I know I'm a bit late here, but I feel like I could share some useful advice.
As a trans person myself, I can tell you that as a general rule, most individuals you come across in most contexts won't care whatsoever whether you're trans or not, so I wouldn't let the fear of discrimination factor into your decision-making too much. That's not to say that nobody is going to take issue with you for who you are (because people will sometimes), but it's unlikely to seriously impact your long-term goals.
When it comes to admissions essays, the overall purpose of them is to illustrate your character. Admissions officers have to sort through hundreds of thousands of pages every year to vet potential students and most of the information at their disposal, like GPAs or organizational memberships, doesn't really tell them anything about an individual. Plenty of universities have multitudes of smart, hard-working people lining up to get in, but those aren't the only qualities that matter.
An admissions essay is the one opportunity to show what you're truly like as a person. You can elucidate others about your level of personal growth, how you problem-solve, what your soft skills are, what your perspective is, and what your underlying motivations are in life.
Being trans is a major component of who anyone is, so it's definitely a viable subject to write about and unlikely to be a topic other students pick, so there's the uniqueness factor to consider. That being said, you under absolutely no obligation to write about it unless you want to; only you get to decide how relevant it is to your character, nobody else. There are certainly other aspects of your personality you can highlight in your essay.
When it comes to certain decisions like on-campus housing, then mentioning your gender identity will be an important thing to do, but it's by no means obligatory in your college essay.
On a more personal note, I know what it's like to navigate through life while transitioning and it can be super awkward at times, especially in the beginning, but over time you start to get a feel for what's appropriate to do and what isn't, until it doesn't really phase you much anymore.
I hope this helps, good luck!
Curtz W. Jackson
Content and Script Writer
11
Answers
Bay Shore, New York
Updated
Curtz W.’s Answer
You have a choice of who you wish to be and your sexual orientation. Why feel obligated to state the personal details if it is not legally required? A person has plenty of opportunities to confirm their integrity and truthfulness. However, certain institutions may require the identification of sexual orientation for specific reasons.
If you are a trans person applying for an opposite-gender school, of course, with little to question, the administrators want to have such awareness of a candidate. Are they not entitled to know the facts in fairness toward the student body and faculty? The laws of the land might allow the school to conduct the inquiries. If you are uncomfortable admitting, then some self-examination may be forthcoming. A choice to live a way of life usually involves responsibility and accountability, like a driver's license offering freedom with some life-long costs.
If you are a trans person applying for an opposite-gender school, of course, with little to question, the administrators want to have such awareness of a candidate. Are they not entitled to know the facts in fairness toward the student body and faculty? The laws of the land might allow the school to conduct the inquiries. If you are uncomfortable admitting, then some self-examination may be forthcoming. A choice to live a way of life usually involves responsibility and accountability, like a driver's license offering freedom with some life-long costs.
Louis Adorno
Screenwriter & Filmmaker
10
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Louis’s Answer
Hi Xander,
It depends. As others have said, the schools you are applying to and what the application looks like will help guide your decision. I'm not in your shoes, and maybe I'm a little behind the times, but I still feel if they do not ask, it is not their business unless you want them to know your personal details. With that said, a lot of job applications do explicitly ask questions such as: What is Your Sexual Orientation? and What is Your Gender/Sex? and those questions have options including "Trans-Man" "Trans-Woman" and other options. So if the school you're applying to has a formal application portal and asks about your gender identity along with things such as Race, Ethnicity, etc. then 100% let them know you are transgender.
I would not say you are female instead of male, but clearly indicate at this point you are a "Trans Female". (For legal and identity purposes, because colleges need to verify your information as it is registered with the federal government). Heck, when I applied for college, I was notified that I was "Not A Resident of The United States" which was not true.
Now in terms of something like an application essay, colleges LOVE to hear about your specific journey, your hardships, and what makes you unique. So if you had to write an admissions essay, you can totally write about your experience being a transgender person.
Regardless of what you decide, only share what you are comfortable with. Best of luck to you, and I do not believe being transgender will help or hurt your chances of getting accepted. Colleges just want to know who you are, and why you are slightly more worthy than the next person. Don't overthink it, and you will be fine.
It depends. As others have said, the schools you are applying to and what the application looks like will help guide your decision. I'm not in your shoes, and maybe I'm a little behind the times, but I still feel if they do not ask, it is not their business unless you want them to know your personal details. With that said, a lot of job applications do explicitly ask questions such as: What is Your Sexual Orientation? and What is Your Gender/Sex? and those questions have options including "Trans-Man" "Trans-Woman" and other options. So if the school you're applying to has a formal application portal and asks about your gender identity along with things such as Race, Ethnicity, etc. then 100% let them know you are transgender.
I would not say you are female instead of male, but clearly indicate at this point you are a "Trans Female". (For legal and identity purposes, because colleges need to verify your information as it is registered with the federal government). Heck, when I applied for college, I was notified that I was "Not A Resident of The United States" which was not true.
Now in terms of something like an application essay, colleges LOVE to hear about your specific journey, your hardships, and what makes you unique. So if you had to write an admissions essay, you can totally write about your experience being a transgender person.
Regardless of what you decide, only share what you are comfortable with. Best of luck to you, and I do not believe being transgender will help or hurt your chances of getting accepted. Colleges just want to know who you are, and why you are slightly more worthy than the next person. Don't overthink it, and you will be fine.
James Peterson
Writer/Cook
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
James’s Answer
It depends on the college. If you're going to Berkeley, you don't even have to think about it, but if you're going to a conservative, private school, a certain amount of discretion might come into play. Of course, if your biological gender doesn't match your current one, you may need to mention it ahead of time since there will be no way to avoid the question. One approach, when you write your college essay, would be to talk deeply about being trans in a way that might be powerful and act in your favor. By no means try to obfuscate or in anyway act ashamed.