To think this question is irrelevant and out of order?

[Blacksheepcat]

DD has just submitted her UCAS application and after submitting she let me read through (I had already read her personal statement previously). There was a question asking sexuality!!! She had put heterosexual (she’s always told me she identifies as bi-sexual). I asked “why have you put that”? and she said “I didn’t want to answer it really and I definitely didn’t want all my teachers seeing my answers” so she basically put what she thought was the ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’ answer. I told her she could have left it blank if she wanted...AIBU to think this question is outrageous, irrelevant and none of their damn business? If it’s just for ‘data reasons’ then they have not got an accurate answer anyway as she has just given the ‘normal’ answer she thought they were looking for. Seriously saddened and disappointed that they would even ask this question from vulnerable young people who are still discovering themselves and maybe still unsure. It has absolutely no bearing on their a academic ability?
In my whole life, I have never, in college or job applications, interviews, or anything been asked my sexual preferences and if I was I would obviously say MYOB.

I'm an admissions tutor and never even look at that part of the application form it irrelevant to me. But as others have said it's about data collection, widening participation etc etc etc

@Frenchw1fe why was that spiteful? University is more self research and self learning rather than guided and being spoon fed answers.

If the OPs daughter is failing to understand instructions that are clear and highlighted, then surely it is a reasonable question to ask regarding university suitability. It’s an expensive education choice - and a decision to not be taken lightly.

Thank you for your feedback everyone. I never saw her UCAS application at any stage until she’d sent it off. She quite obviously didn't read it properly (and yes, she does have a processing disorder). Her school were helping her with the application so that is probably why she didn’t want them to see that bit?

@JonSlow..really? Is there any need to make such a nasty comment about my young daughter? But, in answer to that spiteful question...she’s predicted 3 A*’s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics so yes, she should definitely be applying to University.

I think the OP was just more interested in finding things “outrageous” that actually being interested in understanding the topic.

In 2015, 15% of universities did not have an LGB society. Even if someone is not interested in a ‘scene’ or joining a society, no-one wants to join a hostile environment. There is a Stonewall report that shares - and now if you want to use words like outrageous, go for your life - some of the verbal abuse received on campus by LGBQT+ students. There is a real need to challenge universities with low applications, they need to work on welcoming and safe environments.

www.topuniversities.com/student-info/university-news/gay-friendly-uk-universities-rated-new-2015-guide

No-one is asking your daughter to fight a crusade on her own. Her data and her sexuality is hers to share or not share.

But, stop with your “outrageous” nonsense - those who are choosing to anonymously share their data are making a difference. Those that implemented the policy of asking for the data, are making a difference.

The only thing that is outrageous here, is that they still need to.

Thank you for your feedback everyone. I never saw her UCAS application at any stage until she’d sent it off. She quite obviously didn't read it properly (and yes, she does have a processing disorder). Her school were helping her with the application so that is probably why she didn’t want them to see that bit?

So you went straight to outrage with absolutely no research? You can't leave everything to the school and then kick off afterwards.

Its her business only. She did the right thing. Even declining to answer has an implication. Let her keep it private

I ticked YANBU, because your OP led me to believe that the form didn’t explain that the information wouldn’t be shared with the school. Since the screen shot shows that it is extremely clear that the school won’t see the answers then YABU, it’s not their fault if your DD is paranoid. No real harm done though, so she can take this as a learning exercise in the need to have strategies in place to deal with form filling.

Yep @Blacksheepcat I fully believe those are her subjects and predicted grades.

I dont get why they need to know that on a UCAS application.
When they re at Uni, I can get why it could be helpful. But when applying? wat is going to happen? They wont give a place to a student only because they are gay/bi/black.

Once they are at Uni, they can use that

• to support said student
• ensure they are some outreach system for those specific groups in secondary schools

But it will not have any effect on selection and therefore should not be there imo.

They wont give a place to a student only because they are gay/bi/black.

As previously explained, the uni doesn't get that data until after a place has been given.

If 0.1% of people who apply to a particular university are LGB+ then surely the university will want to investigate why? Similarly of 20% of applicants are black and then only 1% are accepted then the university can investigate if there is any discrimination in the interviews.

I think it should be removed from the UCAS form given how many 17 year olds do not want to have a sex chat with their parents who might well see the form and given the specific nature of that kind of application (whereas with later job applications when you are an adult etc and can choose not to answer it does not raise such an issue at such a vulnerable age and stage).

I dont get why they need to know that on a UCAS application

Because there has been systemic inequality in higher education which needs addressing.

UCAS actually has statistics on the website for over 100 universities about how many people applied, their ethnicity and their socioeconomic status, and how many were accepted.

I dont get why they need to know that on a UCAS application.
When they re at Uni, I can get why it could be helpful. But when applying? wat is going to happen? They wont give a place to a student only because they are gay/bi/black.

Try reading the numerous examples in the thread for reasons why asking at application is important. I'll help. If most universities have 10% of applicants declaring themselves Martian, but one year Poppleton University only has 0.5% of applicants declaring themselves Martian, then Poppleton knows it had an issue in attracting Martian applicants that year and can try and find out why and address those issues for the next cohort.

Welcome to everyone else’s 20 years ago, OP.

probably first time your dd has filled in form of this importance by herself & regardless of her not picking up on the details -it is quite intimidating & perhaps a bit of personal information overload. re some pp negative remarks that her misinterpretation means that she is unsuitable as a candidate - really??? She may not trust their assertion or feel its her privacy that is at stake - goodness that security of personal information on line is not what it should be. She has the right to fill in or not fill in this form in anyway she chooses & to change her mind at any time. Don't worry about the form op & don't let her either. I hope she enjoys & flourishes at Uni & does well academically.

She may not trust their assertion or feel its her privacy that is at stake - goodness that security of personal information on line is not what it should be.

Except that's not what happened - she didn't read the question properly. Unless you're saying a question about sexuality which does not need to be answered is more personal than the vast quantities of private data ACTUALLY REQUIRED the UCAS form?

OP it's obvious reading this thread that you don't understand the need for equal opportunities monitoring.

Many have tried to explain. I get that you want to be outraged. By it's quite normal and she will likely be asked t provide similar info for every job she applies for in the future.

@JonSlow I love the faux innocence.

You were just having a cheap dig because it's easy on a keyboard.
Universities are often where students actually learn how to write and research properly for the first time.

Universities are often where students actually learn how to write and research properly for the first time.

Really? I am 37 and was taught this is school, for gcses. Then taught further during my A levels my daughter is in hee final GCSE year and doing the same.

I don't agree the daughter shouldnt be going. But surely, this is still taught before university.

OP, you didnt see the form. You opted out of helping your daughter with that or even looking at it. Despite implying you did see it in your op. Now you are complaining about something, you know very little about

I do think someone needs to step in and help your daughter more, if she didnt see something as obvious as the opt out on an equality form.

Will her chosen universities be able to support her?

It is overly intrusive for people under 18 to have to be asked if they want to anwwer and as people say above not answering obviously also could be hugely difficult for some people too as their teacher or parent might say why haven't you answered that bit. I just don't think as most universities do not even interview they need to know sexuality when people apply. I can see why they might find it helpful to ask if you are black or male or female but sexuality is much more intrusive in many cases.

At that age, they might not have come out yet. They might not be sure if they are straight, gay or bi. They might still grapple with how to deal with it. They might not have had sex yet.
And yet they are supposed to somehow know it’s ok not to answer. Or to be confortable with school/parents knowing.

I think it’s putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on those teens. The ones Uni are supposed to want to support

@slashlover if only 0.1% of people APPLY for a certain Uni and they are in one those category, then there will also be about 0.1% of the students in that category. They will know there is something wrong.
The one thing it could highlight is the fact students are been discriminated according to their sex life/race if a lower % of people from those groups end up been accepted vs straight white students. But again, this will show up in the lower number at that Uni from that particular group.
Saying they HAVE to have those information is saying you are happy for them to take the lazy way whilst making those who need the support uncomfortable. And having your data available to people with all the issues coming with it (eg lack of scrutiny).

if only 0.1% of people APPLY for a certain Uni and they are in one those category, then there will also be about 0.1% of the students in that category. They will know there is something wrong.
The one thing it could highlight is the fact students are been discriminated according to their sex life/race if a lower % of people from those groups end up been accepted vs straight white students. But again, this will show up in the lower number at that Uni from that particular group.
Saying they HAVE to have those information is saying you are happy for them to take the lazy way whilst making those who need the support uncomfortable. And having your data available to people with all the issues coming with it (eg lack of scrutiny).

I legit cannot understand what this is trying to say.

If they are not asking who is in a particular group then how will they get the number from that particular group? Also they don't have to have the info IT IS OPTIONAL.

I agree with Hey. Most of the country might be having sex in their teens but none of my 5 children as far as I know nor I had sex by 17 or even 18 and it is intrusive even to ask even if there is an option to put you do not want to answer. They are still children under the age of adulthood.

Sexuality is not about having sex WTF? Are you saying you cannot be straight and a virgin?