In response to the Common Application’s decision to exclude questions on sexual orientation and gender identity last week, Penn hopes to include such questions in its supplement.
Citing the problematic nature of the questions, the Common Application board released a statement on Jan. 26 saying that applicants to its 414 constituent schools will not have the option to explicitly declare their sexuality.
Given “evolving social norms” and the stress such questions may pose to potential applicants, the board decided that other means — such as the option to check the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender category for nonacademic activities — are more prudent forms of expression, according to a Jan. 26 article in Inside Higher Ed.
The board’s decision was made “in direct response to member feedback,” Dean of Admissions Eric Furda wrote in an e-mail.
Such questions may not be necessary to admissions officers because “for any ‘identification’ question, the various short answer replies, essays or additional information prompt always supplies more insight and texture than checking a box,” he added.
At Penn, however, adding similar questions to the supplemental application is “under discussion,” said Bob Schoenberg, the director of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center.
“Obviously Penn’s supportive and vital community for LGBTQA is an important consideration” in the decision, Furda wrote, adding that a question could appear on Penn’s supplement on Aug. 1 at the earliest.
Since Penn began an outreach program to identify LGBT applicants last spring, such clear-cut questions would provide “useful information,” Schoenberg said.
“The flagging process is definitely imperfect,” said Hugh Hamilton, the vice chair of Finance and Development of the Lambda Alliance — Penn’s umbrella organization for the LGBT community. “Some applicants could be overlooked,” he said.
As the questions would grant the applicant “flagging” process more precision, they would “allow students to gain access to LGBT resources on campuses more easily,” said Corinne Rich, the chair of the Lambda Alliance.
Despite the “well-intentioned” nature of these questions, however, asking for such “information on a college application — although clearly optional — can put unnecessary pressure on a teenager who is still wrestling … with gender identity and who may not feel ready to come out,” Sally Rubenstone, senior adviser at College Confidential, wrote in an e-mail.
However, “sexual orientation and gender identity are definitely aspects of diversity,” said Hamilton, who expressed support for the questions to be added to Penn’s supplement.
“There are questions on religion and ethnicity,” Rich said. “Why not sexuality?”
Note: This article was updated from its original version to reflect that the Jan. 26 article appeared in Inside Higher Ed, not The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.