How Conservative are DO schools?

[SupDO]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello, I'm new to the thread and I'm glad I found this site.
I am currently applying to several DO schools but wanted to know how conservative the DO schools are in their views on gay rights.
Reason why I ask is that I started school late due to personal struggles with my sexuality. It was a hard time for me and I wanted to know whether I should even mention it in my secondaries or during the interviews. The struggle was a big part of my life and has affected my education greatly.
I do not wish to lie, but I also do not want the admission panel's prejudice (if there are any) to hold me back. I am not applying to William Carey not because of the school, but because I am uncomfortable to work in rural Mississippi where homophobia is still largely present (little bit I can handle).
I wanted to know if mentioning my struggle will either hinder or increase my chances. And also which schools I may want to avoid.
Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[emericana]

Nobody cares. They dont look at your sexuality they look at your stats/extra curricular's.

 

[Adamb83]

This is a tough one. My own instinct says when in doubt just be honest. Then again, I'm not sure if this has a place in your personal statement. Just as I wouldn't include religious or political views either. Truthfully, I'm not sure what I would do... Go with your gut.

 

[randomusername]

Best advice is to just leave it out if you're concerned about it hurting or helping your chances. You likely have plenty of experiences not directly-related to your sexuality which you can draw upon, so why chance it?

 

[Adamb83]

Best advice is to just leave it out if you're concerned about it hurting or helping your chances. You likely have plenty of experiences not directly-related to your sexuality which you can draw upon, so why chance it?

Excellent point. If your competitive already, no need to risk anything. But if you're a long shot, then maybe it's a different approach.

 

[willen101383]

I honestly wouldnt do it. While at my school (pcom philly) there are plenty of openly gay students...I would still be concerned with mentioning this stuff....especially down south. Even if people claim they are still open minded....I am sure there are still adcom members who will judge you based on this.

However, if this is THE reason you decided on medicine somehow (to work with gay populations etc)...and your PS would be complete BS and lacking real "depth" without it.....go for it.

 

[KDT]

If they don't ask about it then don't say anything about it (Mostly likely they wont even ask about it). Either way it shouldn't really matter and I'm pretty sure many DO schools don't really care. As long as you are a competent physician then it shouldn't matter.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

I hope it doesn't matter. I don't think it should be something that should be looked at or cared about. But my friend does tell me his DO school is kind of conservative in general, so avoid mentioning it unless necessary for the applications...

 

[willen101383]

It shouldnt matter what sex/race/creed/sexual orientation/what you do in your free time, etc....but the reality is it MAY matter.

I doubt any adcom member is going to come out and say they dont want you at their school because you are gay....but I am sure there are plenty of adcom members who are opposed to the gay lifestyle or think it is wrong based on religous beliefs. The admissions process is competitive enough...I wouldnt want to give anyone a reason to reject my application.

It sucks that things are the way they are. But the admissions game is exactly that: a game...so just play to win.

 

[guydudcl371]

Based on my previous posts, feel free to message me to talk more about this, I've found that a lot of SDN members can be really ignorant about queer topics. So just warning you in advance you may get some stupid advice on here (but I guess that's true for every topic).

There is homophobia everywhere. It is a huge stereotype that there is more homophobia in the Southern US than in other parts. Hell, there are even very homophobic people in San Francisco and NYC. It is just a part of many different people living in one place.

As far as ADCOMS go, I was advised not to mention being gay at all in any of my application process. All it takes is one ignorant person to have an issue and your application is done for. However, having gone through the process I would give the following advice. DO NOT mention it in your primary or secondary, but if you believe your identity has impacted your path to become a physician, I think it is very important to mention in an interview. I mentioned it in two interviews at schools that are well known for pushing working with "diverse" communities and wanting a "diverse" student population. Both of the interviewers eyes lit up both times, and they were very interested in this experience.

All in all, you have to play it by ear. Some schools it is more appropriate to discuss than others, and either way it is a serious risk. Members of ADCOMs hold less trivial things all the time against applicants, so of course sometimes your sexual orientation can be held against you. But again, SDN is really NOT a good place to get advice on this topic form my personal experience. I'd try and get a hold of queer students who have gone through the process and get their perspective.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Actually, there are plenty of threads on "queer" topics, in which a lot of LGBT applicants mention that if their sexuality tied into their reason for being a doctor that it would actually benefit their application and those who applied without mentioning it, looked back and regretted it. Furthermore, SDN is a good place to discuss this topic, however it is of course one which needs to be treated very sensitively as if you try force it or use the wrong words it may turn into a debate.

 

[willen101383]

Actually, there are plenty of threads on "queer" topics, in which a lot of LGBT applicants mention that if their sexuality tied into their reason for being a doctor that it would actually benefit their application and those who applied without mentioning it, looked back and regretted it. Furthermore, SDN is a good place to discuss this topic, however it is of course one which needs to be treated very sensitively as if you try force it or use the wrong words it may turn into a debate.

🙄 Clearly we are stupid and give stupid advice on the topic.

After all, since I am not gay, I must know nothing about gay topics, and furthermore my assumptions that old white folk adcom members down in mississippi may be a bit homophobic are completely wrong.

Tell away OP!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

🙄 Clearly we are stupid and give stupid advice on the topic.

After all, since I am not gay, I must know nothing about gay topics, and furthermore my assumptions that old white folk adcom members down in mississippi may be a bit homophobic are completely wrong.

Tell away OP!

I'm hoping that's directed towards Guy and not me lol. But yah, the last few threads on this which Guy participated in weren't as big of failures as much as he was too much of a control freak and got so pissy and basically felt the need to lecture everyone including me ( And apparently stated that I was a bad gay 🙁).

 

[willen101383]

I'm hoping that's directed towards Guy and not me lol. But yah, the last few threads on this which Guy participated in weren't as big of failures as much as he was too much of a control freak and got so pissy and basically felt the need to lecture everyone including me ( And apparently stated that I was a bad gay 🙁).

haha no it wasnt directed at you. I recall some of those theads as well.

 

[SupDO]

Thx for the advice. I have not mentioned it in my PS but I am currently working on my secondary right now.
The reason why I asked is because few schools asked for me to explain some of the 'gaps' i had between my education. I started university late cuz I was partying and taking money from my parents for 6yrs (not proud of it at all). I understand deep emotional letters can seem coy and negative so I am trying to steer away from that. I know the questions are made to understand the applicants better, but I need to tread carefully of what I put and how I word things cuz it is still a 'game'.
For schools that are around the 'bible belt', I doubt I will mention it at all. But schools in more liberal places like NOVA and CCOM, I may mention it if asked during my interview.
But I understand about being safe and not give the adcom a reason to reject my application.
BTW, I was inspired when I saw that lesbian OBGYN on Boston Med show. Gave me some hope, especially the fact she's from Texas.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Honestly, just keep it professional. I would not tell the admissions offices my heterosexual endeavors, so my advice would be to just not bring it up.

And honestly, as long as your doing your job, nobody should care. Just keep it to yourself and you should be fine. I didnt bring up my sexual preferences in my recent job interview and I think it went well.

 

[willen101383]

Thx for the advice. I have not mentioned it in my PS but I am currently working on my secondary right now.
The reason why I asked is because few schools asked for me to explain some of the 'gaps' i had between my education. I started university late cuz I was partying and taking money from my parents for 6yrs (not proud of it at all). I understand deep emotional letters can seem coy and negative so I am trying to steer away from that. I know the questions are made to understand the applicants better, but I need to tread carefully of what I put and how I word things cuz it is still a 'game'.
For schools that are around the 'bible belt', I doubt I will mention it at all. But schools in more liberal places like NOVA and CCOM, I may mention it if asked during my interview.
But I understand about being safe and not give the adcom a reason to reject my application.
BTW, I was inspired when I saw that lesbian OBGYN on Boston Med show. Gave me some hope, especially the fact she's from Texas.

I thought she was sorta cute too haha

 

[SupDO]

I thought she was sorta cute too haha

Yes she was...and several other OBGYN docs. Kinda makes me wonder if looks help get into residency programs....seems to me there are many good looking docs in that show.
Not to sound shallow, but if I had to choose from 2 candidates with exactly same qualifications, I would choose the one who is more amiable and better looking. Patients also like good looking docs 😉

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Yes she was...and several other OBGYN docs. Kinda makes me wonder if looks help get into residency programs....seems to me there are many good looking docs in that show.
Not to sound shallow, but if I had to choose from 2 candidates with exactly same qualifications, I would choose the one who is more amiable and better looking. Patients also like good looking docs 😉

Superficial or not, good looks are a major advantage in life. It is statistically observable that an attractive individual will be able to get a job/position after an interview.

 

[Goro]

We don't care about your sexual orientation...we care about whether you'll make a good DO. Still, I'd recommend NOT applying to the schools in the southern tier of the US, or the midwest. That still leaves a lot to choose from.

Hello, I'm new to the thread and I'm glad I found this site.
I am currently applying to several DO schools but wanted to know how conservative the DO schools are in their views on gay rights.
Reason why I ask is that I started school late due to personal struggles with my sexuality. It was a hard time for me and I wanted to know whether I should even mention it in my secondaries or during the interviews. The struggle was a big part of my life and has affected my education greatly.
I do not wish to lie, but I also do not want the admission panel's prejudice (if there are any) to hold me back. I am not applying to William Carey not because of the school, but because I am uncomfortable to work in rural Mississippi where homophobia is still largely present (little bit I can handle).
I wanted to know if mentioning my struggle will either hinder or increase my chances. And also which schools I may want to avoid.
Thanks for the advice in advance.