Should I write about my transsexuality in this scholarship essay? (see details)?

Question

I'm applying for the Patricia M. McNamara Scholarship. The essay topic is this:

"In 1000 words or less and in your own words, define diversity including an experience in which diversity has affected your life in a positive or negative aspect"

Here's a bit about Patricia McNamara...
Patricia M. McNamara was born on March 25th, 1931 in Chicago Illinois. From the start Patricia had many obstacles to overcome. Her father was a strict man with a catholic background. He believed, as others did of that generation, that educating women was not important. He denied his daughter the right to attend high school. Patricia's father refused to pay her tuition to catholic high school. The only way for her to attend this school was to get a job and pay her own way. At age fourteen Patricia started work at the neighborhood soda shop, and graduated school, basically making her own way..ect ect

Well..my issue is I'm a transsexual. I feel like I have a good shot at this, because I can tell you a LOT about how I've been accepted and NOT accepted in society and my own struggles I've gone through. I'm just wondering though, transsexuality is still not widely accepted, so would it be appropriate to include this in my essay?

Answer 1

Go for it. But stick to the topic of diversity, and don't make it sappy.

Answer 2

Find out who the scholarship is for. If it is for a Christian group, they probably do not want to know about your transsexuality. However, if it is for a group like Amethyst Scholarship Foundation (GLBT friendly, link below), it would definately be the right essay. You could always choose the middle road and use your knowledge about diversity. You do not have to disclose that you are transsexual, but that you have encountered many diverse issues throughout your life. Pick certain events and talk about them. It is less overwhelming for others if transsexually is not flaunted (or homosexuality for that matter). Just talk about what you have encountered in your life. There should be some situations that have arisen that would create a wonderful essay. Always know the audience you are writing to. It is the quickest way to win or lose a scholarship or grant. If you do not know who they are, read about them on their website, or call and find out about them. Under no circumstances should you ever send a scholarship like you were goinon a blind date. It is like going on an interview with your fly open and toilet paper stuck to your shoe. You aren't such a pretty sight and people don't want to be associated with you if you don't have a clue about them. Be the suave date with a bouquet of flowers, a nice bottle of wine and expensive cologne (even if you are the beer & pizza type). It'll get 'em every time. Good luck.

Answer 3

I don't think this would be appropriate. It would be better to talk about some situation you've overcome. These essays are designed to pick out the straights in your character and/or your ability to learn from your mistakes. You're trans-sexuality something you want to put on display right away as a positive or negative. Many people would find the subject very uncomfortable. I'd leave it all out of your essay. It's just too much information.

Answer 4

If I were you, I would not write about my transsexuality for the scholarship essay. Most people, even those who accept transsexuals, are somewhat uncomfortable when thinking and talking about this minority group. I would use your experiences with diversity to write the essay without discussing the fact that you are transsexual. Many people consider a person's sexuality to be something personal, to be discussed only with close friends and family. I think that writing about your experiences as a transsexual may hurt your chances of getting this scholarship.

Answer 5

No, I would not and here is why. Like you said trans-gender people are not widely accepted into society. You might say in the essay that you have a relative that is trans-gender, but if it obvious that you are trans gender than this would defeat the purpose. If you said you were tran-gender in the essay and I were on the selection committee I might through your application out simply because I would not want you on campus were you might spread your way of thinking to the other students. I am not trying to be rude but I feel like we are born the gender we are and must remain that way and any feelings other wise should be dealt with in a therapy session and not on a surgery table.

Answer 6

I could answer better if you had some idea who the folks are who will be doing the judging of the essays. Do you know?
It's a great topic, but as you realize, it may not be right for every contest. See if you can be more sure of how open the judges would be to such a controversial topic ... or just do your thing and let the chips fall where they may.

Answer 7

it depends on the college. A more liberal college highly interested in diversity, yes. if not I wouldn't. However, college is not just about THEM accepting YOU, but also YOU accepting THEM. What better time to discover what college would be a good fit then by seeing if they'll accept you as you are? A college rejection usually means that someone decided you wouldn't fit into their class pool. That's great, saves you the time of going to a school full of jerks and having to transfer.

Answer 8

no not for a school essay .. put all the other stuff in it and leave out the part of being a transsexual... but honey you should think about writing a book about it instead.. that would be a helluva book..and you can also put in about the other people that are transsexual too what kinds of problems they have faced..and maybe will understand and be more compastionate and more understanding

Answer 9

That is a good question, because I am sure you've faced plenty of acceptance issues, and yet, there is the level of acceptance of the people judging your entry to consider. I'd say give it a shot. The fact that you asked this question instead of assuming everyone will accept it shows to me that you are sensitive to the issues, and if you portray that sensitivity in your essay, then it should be judged fairly. Good luck!

Answer 10

Of course. Traditonally scholarships love to hear little personal differences. I would say that transsexuality is definitely a point of diversity... however I would make it positive (or at least hopeful for change)... and end .. with a perspective about how diversity will positivly enhance our future.


alrighty.. hope that helps..

Answer 11

What does that have to do with your transexuality?

I used to work in admissions in California, a hoity-toity liberal arts college. We got really tired of everyone trying to be "different".

Write something real, don't try and anticipate what the committee wants to read and don't think being transgendered is some automatic pass or proof of anything. What else ya got? Why should they give you a bucket of cash?