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You may have thought coming out was the hardest thing you had to do in high school, but now try getting in. For lesbian, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and  

Gay college students

 , picking a College has a set of complications most teens need to never think about. Will I be accepted? Will I be safe? Will I be the only one? Will people accept my coming out?

With every passing year, more and more LGBT students are coming out in high school. And that directly affects many college decisions, says Todd Smith, director of New York University's Office of LGBT Student Services and the chair of the National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education. "More and more LGBT and ally students seem to be considering the atmosphere for LGBT students when considering what college they choose to attend."

There are not many college guides specifically for LGBT students, and no rating system for gay--friendly schools currently exists. Some cities have college fairs specifically for LGBT students (Boston's in its third year), but not all students can make it to one. There are alternate ways to find this information, however - knowing the right questions and the right people to ask. In fact, the guidelines to finding a gay--friendly college are similar to those for writing a college paper. With a few simple rules, you can easily become a pro.

1. Tackle the Question Head--On
The first step in writing a college paper is defining your thesis. No one wants to wade through pages of introduction to get to the point of your essay. If you want to know about LGBT services on a particular campus, just ask directly. Buzzwords like "diversity" and "tolerance" can mean different things to different people. The only way to be certain about the information you get about diversity and tolerance is to ask specifically. If you're nervous, you can ask via e--mail or over the phone, or have someone you trust ask these questions for you. If the university representative does not have the information, or makes you feel ashamed for asking, that in itself is a good first indicator of the state of LGBT issues on campus.

2. Do the Reading
You can't write a paper without reading the subject material first. Look at what your choice schools have to say about themselves. School Web sites and brochures are a great place to start your research. Consider them a table of contents or index in a book: The more information you see there and the easier it is to find, the more likely this is going to be a good match for your needs. Some schools even have a specific brochure detailing resources for LGBT students on campus and in the local community. For instance, Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) publishes a "Lavender Guide" for those "out and about in the local community."

Specific things to search for: Does the Web site or brochure profile LGBT student, faculty, or staff? Can you find information on LGBT groups or services on campus? Are there classes in sexuality or gender studies? A good rule of thumb: If you have to spend two hours looking for one reference, it may not be worth your time.

3. Get the Facts
The strongest essays are those based on objective and quantifiable facts. Similarly, there are a few hard and fast indicators of the LGBT--accepting atmosphere of a particular college or university. For example, does it have a staffed LGBT Resource Center or Student Services Office? Offer domestic partner benefits to staff and faculty? Are same--sex couples allowed to live in "married" student housing? Is there theme housing for the LGBT and ally community?

Also important is the school's non--discrimination policy. Almost all have one, but is it inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity? Does the school have a Safe Zone or Straight Ally program that allows heterosexual students to show their support and acceptance of the LGBT community? Is sexual orientation based--discrimination included on campus climate surveys? If so, ask to have a copy of the survey mailed to you, or see if it is available online. Most of this information can be found by calling and talking to an admissions counselor, or at www.lgbtcampus.org, hosted by the National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education.

4. Use Primary Source Material
Sure, research is great, but there is some information a book just can't give you. If you want the real scoop, you need to talk to the people in the know. Visit the school and assess the campus and community. If you are uncomfortable being there for a day, imagine what four years would be like. Contact the school's LGBT student or faculty group, and get their impressions. Ask your friends and family if they know anyone who went to the school, and talk up those connections. If there's an alumni organization, find out if you can meet a representative near your home. Remember, however, that one person's opinion is just that: One person's opinion. Everyone's experience is going to be different.

5. Remember the Bigger Picture
You can write the best essay in the world, and still fail the class if you don't pay attention to all of the other course requirements. The same holds true in your College Search - make sure LGBT--friendliness is not the only criteria you use in evaluating a school. Every student needs the right--sized school, with the right majors, and the right location. LGBT students are no exception. This is just one factor among many to consider in finding a place where you will be happy.

Every student is looking for different things from college, but the only way to ensure you get what you want is to have the information to make the best choice. When it comes to being LGBT--friendly, there's a wide range of schools out there. Whether you want to be a trailblazer or go to a school where your sexuality is not an issue, preparation is key. After all, this decision sets the stage for your next four years - and beyond! Jim Ryan is a senior at a small public high school in suburban New York, who has been been thinking for years about what it means to be a gay student. It keeps him busy.

"I started the Gay Straight Alliance in my high school at the beginning of my sophomore year. It was the first time someone had tried to start a club like it," he says. How have other students received the group? "There were more than enough people who were ready to support it. Thankfully the club is still running strong two years later with quite a following. We've become like any other club - we have assemblies, sponsored events like the Day of Silence, even had bake sales to raise Money."

Now that Jim is considering colleges, what's the first thing on his mind? "What I look for at the schools I visit are how comprehensive the resources are for LGBT students," he explains. He was happy to note that almost every school on his list had a center dedicated for such students.

The thing that has been most helpful to him is having someone knowledgeable on his side.. "My aunt, a Guidance Counselor, was ready when I started my college search with a list of potential schools. She knew that beside the academic concerns, I would need a place that would suit a gay teenager." In the end, though, he is just like most teens, with vast dreams. "The school I most want to go to is Vassar... if not that, another liberal arts school, like Oberlin or Wesleyan. I want to study English/Writing or maybe Political Science."

Hugh Ryan is the former college and Career counselor for The Harvey Milk High School (New York, NY), the largest public school for lesbian, gay and bisexual, and transgender students in the world.




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Gina LaGuardia is the Editor-in-Chief of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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