US: Duke University debuts new LGBT-inclusive college application
Duke University will debut a new LGBT-inclusive application this fall, making it the fourth college or university in the US to provide such an application.
Duke senior and LGBT student leader Daniel Kort said in a Huffington Post article that the new application will include an essay question specifically mentioning sexual orientation and gender identity.
According to Kort, the question will read: “Duke University seeks a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience; we believe that the diversity of our students makes our community stronger.
“If you’d like to share a perspective you bring or experiences you’ve had to help us understand you better–perhaps related to a community you belong to, your sexual orientation or gender identity, or your family or cultural background–we encourage you to do so.
“Real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke.”
The question, according to Kort, is meant to allow prospective students to have the room to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity if they wish.
Admitted students who do disclose their sexual orientation and gender identity on their application will also be contacted by LGBT student resources when they arrive on campus, according to Kort.
