One hundred and twenty high school student Ss read a fictitious transcript from an interview for a study-abroad program. During the interview, a male college student applicant (1) revealed that he had experienced either a happy or an unhappy childhood and (2) presented himself as normal, previously mentally ill, or as having suffered a serious physical illness. Ss evaluated the stimulus person less favorably when he reported either an unhappy childhood or a serious physical illness. The predicted dislike and derogation of the mentally ill stimulus person was not evidenced, but the Ss rated him as the most interesting. Consistent sex differences emerged, as female Ss evaluated the stimulus person in more favorable terms and indicated that, if they were to meet him, they would like him significantly more than did male Ss.