Does anyone have examples of successful coming out college essays?
I'm starting to brainstorm topics for my personal statement and I'm thinking about writing about my coming out experience. I want to make sure I approach it in a way that's authentic but also shows who I am beyond just that event.
If anyone is comfortable sharing, do you have examples of essays about coming out, or do you know of any resources where I can read some? I'm really curious how people balance talking about their identity while connecting it to other parts of themselves or their goals.
Hoping to read some real essays (or even just excerpts) to get an idea of how admissions officers might receive this kind of story. I want mine to be meaningful but not cliche, and also not just trauma-focused. Any advice is also welcome!
If anyone is comfortable sharing, do you have examples of essays about coming out, or do you know of any resources where I can read some? I'm really curious how people balance talking about their identity while connecting it to other parts of themselves or their goals.
Hoping to read some real essays (or even just excerpts) to get an idea of how admissions officers might receive this kind of story. I want mine to be meaningful but not cliche, and also not just trauma-focused. Any advice is also welcome!
6 months ago
•
17 views
Roger Lopez
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Writing a personal statement about your coming out journey can be powerful and memorable—especially when you connect your experience to broader aspects of who you are or what you care about. Coming out essays stand out most when they move beyond just narrating the moment and instead reflect on how that experience shaped your perspective, resilience, or values. Admissions officers are looking to understand your personal growth and how your experiences have prepared you to contribute to a diverse community.
A strong coming out essay usually focuses on a very specific moment or realization, then connects it to personal growth or future aspirations. Alternatively, you could use humor to break tension. One applicant detailed planning the perfect moment to come out at a family dinner, only for their little brother to interrupt by announcing his own big news (winning the middle school spelling bee!). The essay explored themes of timing, patience, and how unexpected moments shape self-acceptance.
If you want to avoid cliché, try to focus on a unique perspective or a side of your story that isn't often highlighted. Maybe your essay could connect coming out to an unrelated passion—such as how being open about your identity strengthened your empathy as a camp counselor, or how learning to embrace uncertainty helped you become a more adaptable musician.
You’ll find a few coming out essay examples or excerpts through college admissions blogs and sites dedicated to LGBTQ+ student experiences—some universities even publish sample essays. But remember, yours should reflect how coming out has shaped you, your voice, and your outlook, rather than just retelling what you’ve seen elsewhere.
If you’re worried about being trauma-focused, try to weave in moments of joy, humor, or personal pride alongside any difficulties. Admissions readers appreciate authenticity and vulnerability, but they’re also looking for optimism and personal insight.
To sum up: focus on a specific story or moment, reveal how it impacted you, and don’t be afraid to tie in your goals or other interests. That combination is your best bet for writing a compelling, memorable essay.
A strong coming out essay usually focuses on a very specific moment or realization, then connects it to personal growth or future aspirations. Alternatively, you could use humor to break tension. One applicant detailed planning the perfect moment to come out at a family dinner, only for their little brother to interrupt by announcing his own big news (winning the middle school spelling bee!). The essay explored themes of timing, patience, and how unexpected moments shape self-acceptance.
If you want to avoid cliché, try to focus on a unique perspective or a side of your story that isn't often highlighted. Maybe your essay could connect coming out to an unrelated passion—such as how being open about your identity strengthened your empathy as a camp counselor, or how learning to embrace uncertainty helped you become a more adaptable musician.
You’ll find a few coming out essay examples or excerpts through college admissions blogs and sites dedicated to LGBTQ+ student experiences—some universities even publish sample essays. But remember, yours should reflect how coming out has shaped you, your voice, and your outlook, rather than just retelling what you’ve seen elsewhere.
If you’re worried about being trauma-focused, try to weave in moments of joy, humor, or personal pride alongside any difficulties. Admissions readers appreciate authenticity and vulnerability, but they’re also looking for optimism and personal insight.
To sum up: focus on a specific story or moment, reveal how it impacted you, and don’t be afraid to tie in your goals or other interests. That combination is your best bet for writing a compelling, memorable essay.
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Roger Lopez
Chicago, Illinois
Yale University BA, Political Science | Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, MBA Candidate |
Experience
4 years