Med Schools Recruiting for LGBT students

[kkcc]

For this thread, please stay on topic, and can ppl list schools that either recruit for LGBT (lesbian gay bisexusal transgender) med students, or include sexual orientation as an item in the list for diversity consideration?
Yale and Northwestern do, but are there other more reachable schools that do?
Thanks.

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[Womb Raider]

What's LGBT?

 

[kkcc]

lesbian gay bisexusal transgender

 

[Spinach Dip]

Yale and Northwerstern DO that!?!

 

[Womb Raider]

lesbian gay bisexusal transgender

I wasn't aware someone could be all of those things at the same time! I guess the old saying "you learn something new every day" really is true!

But I'm still confused as to why they should/would get an advantage in their application? Do Northwestern & Yale somehow guarantee that their LBGT students end up catering for this class of person when they start practicing medicine?

Also, I've always wondered... If you're a male, but "changed" to a female, are you considered a female or male by legal standards?

 

[qtpai]

The med school admissions process is influenced by... *gasp* political ideologies?!

 

[kkcc]

Yale and Northwerstern DO that!?!

http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2011/10/25/medical-school-targets-lgbtq-applicants/
For the first time, the Yale School of Medicine is targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer applicants with its recruitment efforts.
Last month, the medical school released a LGBTQ-specific admissions brochure and plans to release this material in the official informational packets starting with next year’s entering class. Joseph Rojas MED ’11, who designed the pamphlets, said LGBTQ applicants often go to schools in major metropolitan areas rather than Ivy League institutions like Yale, and these brochures will attempt to combat this trend.
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/diversity/recruitment/prosp-students.html
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/diversity/recruitment/prosp-students.html
Feinberg defines the following groups as underrepresented in medicine: African American, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBT).

I wasn't aware someone could be all of those things at the same time! I guess the old saying "you learn something new every day" really is true!

No, someone is either L, G, B, or T, not at the same time. LGBT means not heterosexual.

 

[kkcc]

Also, I've always wondered... If you're a male, but "changed" to a female, are you considered a female or male by legal standards?

You're biologically the same sex born with: XX or XY chromosome.
Legally you may change your gender to the opposite gender, and thus at schools etc. you could legally use bathrooms or lockers corresponding to your new gender.

 

[edgerock24]

Stupid thread. LBGT individuals are not special when it comes to medical school admissions.

 

[Fedaykin]

Also, I've always wondered... If you're a male, but "changed" to a female, are you considered a female or male by legal standards?

Depends where you are. Some people live in a region where you can change your gender legally by going to a courthouse and filling out some paperwork. Some people live in an area where you can do this but it's tied to some benchmark (like completing a full course of sexual reassignment surgery). Some people live in an area with no legal standing for changing your gender. Some people live in an area where they'd be stoned to death for doing so. YMMV.

 

[touchpause13]

What's LGBT?

Is this a serious question?

 

[PreciousHamburgers]

http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2011/10/25/medical-school-targets-lgbtq-applicants/
For the first time, the Yale School of Medicine is targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer applicants with its recruitment efforts.
Last month, the medical school released a LGBTQ-specific admissions brochure and plans to release this material in the official informational packets starting with next year’s entering class. Joseph Rojas MED ’11, who designed the pamphlets, said LGBTQ applicants often go to schools in major metropolitan areas rather than Ivy League institutions like Yale, and these brochures will attempt to combat this trend.
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/diversity/recruitment/prosp-students.html
Feinberg defines the following groups as underrepresented in medicine: African American, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBT).


No, someone is either L, G, B, or T, not at the same time. LGBT means not heterosexual.

Technically you can be L, G, or B, AND T.

 

[familyaerospace]

I wasn't aware someone could be all of those things at the same time! I guess the old saying "you learn something new every day" really is true!

But I'm still confused as to why they should/would get an advantage in their application? Do Northwestern & Yale somehow guarantee that their LBGT students end up catering for this class of person when they start practicing medicine?

Also, I've always wondered... If you're a male, but "changed" to a female, are you considered a female or male by legal standards?

1) You can be two of those at the same time. Like me who is gay and trans. I know a few lesbians that identified as such, transitioned to become male, then started identifying as gay men. Their sexual history though was very much bisexual.

2) Underserved area and we are still very much discriminated against especially regarding medical care and most medical schools don't really want to deal with us very much either.

3) I am going in the opposite direction. My birth state requires top surgery and was requiring some form of penis reconstruction (Meta or phallo don't think they cared which), my current state requires top surgery and a hysterectomy. I am only top surgery and hormones, no interest in further surgery. Passports require a letter from a physician. My birth certificate says female as does my drivers license, but my passport however says male. On AMCAS, I am listed as female but use male pronouns so it is Mr FamilyAerospace. I think Washington only required a therapists letter to change drivers license.

What sex I am legally depends on what identification you want to use. It is my understanding that if I move to another country (at least the country I want to move to) I would be able to be registered as male.

 

[PreciousHamburgers]

Is this a serious question?

I like how they can post something like this and at the same time deny that the group is underserved in medicine....

 

[occams_razor]

You're biologically the same sex born with: XX or XY chromosome.
Legally you may change your gender to the opposite gender, and thus at schools etc. you could legally use bathrooms or lockers corresponding to your new gender.

not everyone is either XX or XY

 

[toutou]

I would like to know this too please
Coming from a really small town, I would like to go to a metropolitan area for med school. The area that I live in is just too conservative for my taste. I want to focus on school but also enjoy myself and meet people on the very little free time that I will have. Yale and Northwestern might be a little reach for me, but nonetheless it's nice to know that they're outreaching to us folks. My interest is definitely family medicine with focus on LGBTQ population and their health.

If anyone know anything about D.O schools LGBTQ outreach that would be awesome too!

 

[Kaputt]

Not again!

Just yesterday a thread was closed on this topic. If you're going to post in this thread, please, discuss what the OP is asking instead of making it your soap-box for how you think "LGBT folks don't deserve special treatment".

 

[PreciousHamburgers]

I know my state school does. Almost all schools have some kind of diversity statement somewhere on their website. You can also try and find student groups at the school and see how active they are. If you are really ambitious, some schools have something like a diversity officer or recruitment specialist that you could contact and ask.

 

[Goro]

*sigh* If you get into medical school, be prepared for classes in "Sexual Medicine". There are several states that require this level of education.
I wasn't aware someone could be all of those things at the same time! I guess the old saying "you learn something new every day" really is true!

As a corollary, I'll list one school that ISN'T recruiting LGBT students: LUCOM!

If there's any one school that would be LGBT receptive, it would be TUCOM-CA. But pretty much any school in a metro area will be friendly. I know mine is.
If anyone know anything about D.O schools LGBTQ outreach that would be awesome too!

 

[BeancheBlanco]

I like how none of the posts in this thread actually answer the question.

 

[toutou]

It will only incite arguments. You should really do your own research into this topic before asking questions like this.

Forum member's personal anecdote can be helpful in a sense if they've had experience at a certain institution, even though we should take it with a grain of salt. Either way, just because it can incite an argument is not a good enough excuse to not ask the question. It's a legitimate question. Most of us are not trying to get into school and play the system of "URM", we just wanna go to a place that will accept us for who we are and not oppress us and tell us we're ****ty people because we don't fit your mold.

 

[blueharbor]

Posting this question is not going to get you any closer to answering this question. It will only incite arguments. You should really do your own research into this topic before asking questions like this.

There is nothing wrong with this post. It is a perfectly reasonable question. There may be ignorant posters out there but the OP should have a chance to get their question answered. I'm sure there are many, many other SDNers who would be interested in the answer as well.

 

[toutou]

If there's any one school that would be LGBT receptive, it would be TUCOM-CA. But pretty much any school in a metro area will be friendly. I know mine is.
If anyone know anything about D.O schools LGBTQ outreach that would be awesome too!

Thank you

 

[Ismet]

This thread will remain open as long as the discussion remains on topic, aka regarding schools that are LGBT friendly. Remember to keep your posts courteous and productive.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

*sigh* If you get into medical school, be prepared for classes in "Sexual Medicine". There are several states that require this level of education.
I wasn't aware someone could be all of those things at the same time! I guess the old saying "you learn something new every day" really is true!

As a corollary, I'll list one school that ISN'T recruiting LGBT students: LUCOM!

If there's any one school that would be LGBT receptive, it would be TUCOM-CA. But pretty much any school in a metro area will be friendly. I know mine is.
If anyone know anything about D.O schools LGBTQ outreach that would be awesome too!

Lol ofcourse you would say the christain school is anti gay while san fran is pro gay.

Was this only based on the area these schools are in?

 

[familyaerospace]

As a corollary, I'll list one school that ISN'T recruiting LGBT students: LUCOM!

Based on my interview a few years ago, I would add GA-PCOM although things might have changed.

 

[toutou]

To OP,
I found this online, it's a directory to help us gauge how medical school and residency program rate in LGBTQ friendliness. Hope it helps
amsa.org/gender/ programreviews.cfm

 

[PreciousHamburgers]

Go


Lol ofcourse the christain school is anti gay while san fran wouldnt be. Anyway I don't think most school care if your lgbt or not and wont affect your app. Some areas wont be as friendly as others though

I agree most schools probably do not care. However, I think that you may get an application reader who can appreciate the maturity, empathy, and other positive character traits that can result from someone growing up queer and then coming to terms with it; an extremely difficult and transformative journey. And, some schools may have policies that tell readers to keep this in mind when reviewing. I don't know. That is what the OP is trying to find out.

 

[touchpause13]

DMU seems friendly. The university of MN is as well, as are the Twin Cities in general

 

[Womb Raider]

I am only top surgery and hormones, no interest in further surgery.

Interesting.

I would have thought transgender individuals would want to go "go all the way" regarding physically changing their gender. So for you, it's more important to be able to self-identify with a gender and be able to express yourself in society as a male than actually "feel" like a male on a personal/physical level? I know for me, having my "baby maker" is a huge part of my masculinity.

Perhaps this lack of desire to pursue further surgery is in part due to having reservations about the permanency of these actions? (I.e. it would be much more difficult to revert back to a girl after you pursued genitalia reconstructive surgery). Of course, I'm not implying this is how you feel, I'm just trying to get a better grasp on these concepts. I also see it being money related, safety related (no idea how dangerous these surgeries are) or simply wanting to hold both masculine and feminine traits simultaneously.

I understand these are personal questions and I don't expect you to answer them, but I'm genuinely curious and not trying to offend you, so please don't take it as such.

I like how he they can post something like this and at the same time deny that the group is underserved in medicine....

When did I deny that LBGT are underserved in medicine?

 

[Ismet]

Again, please keep the discussion on topic to LGBT-friendly medical schools.

 

[DermViser]

Yale and Northwerstern DO that!?!

Yup: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2011/10/25/medical-school-targets-lgbtq-applicants/

Not surprised as they were the ones who at first invited a gay porn star to speak: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2010/04/15/porn-star-uninvited-to-pride-month/

 

[Theafoni]

edit

 

[toutou]

DMU seems friendly. The university of MN is as well, as are the Twin Cities in general

I'm gonna have to look into that. I live in the northeast. Even though my state is liberal, we're not as liberal as Washington state for example. It's one of those thing people sweep under the carpet and pray no one trips on it.

I gotta say Brown is pretty accepting during my tour of the school. They have their own organization and I always see them parade as a group during RI pride week holding signs and banners with Alpert Medical School on it. Seems like a pretty big group.

 

[toutou]

BTW, happy pride month to all my LGBTQ folks and supports

 

[familyaerospace]

Interesting.

I would have thought transgender individuals would want to go "go all the way" regarding physically changing their gender. So for you, it's more important to be able to self-identify with a gender and be able to express yourself in society as a male than actually "feel" like a male on a personal/physical level? I know for me, having my "baby maker" is a huge part of my masculinity.

Perhaps this lack of desire to pursue further surgery is in part due to having reservations about the permanency of these actions? (I.e. it would be much more difficult to revert back to a girl after you pursued genitalia reconstructive surgery). Of course, I'm not implying this is how you feel, I'm just trying to get a better grasp on these concepts. I also see it being money related, safety related (no idea how dangerous these surgeries are) or simply wanting to hold both masculine and feminine traits simultaneously.

I understand these are personal questions and I don't expect you to answer them, but I'm genuinely curious and not trying to offend you, so please don't take it as such.

Top surgery is permanent. Hormones are permanent.

You want to continue this discussion? You know where to find me.

 

[medschoolmyname]

At the end of the day it's the person who reads your application and the interviewer that decides it. There may be more friendly schools, but that isn't representative of their entire admissions board

 

[Ismet]

At the end of the day it's the person who reads your application and the interviewer that decides it. There may be more friendly schools, but that isn't representative of their entire admissions board

It's not just one person making the decision to accept or reject you. Usually multiple people on the committee (# varies by school) fully read the application and vote/rank/whatever the policy.

 

[tantacles]

For this thread, please stay on topic, and can ppl list schools that either recruit for LGBT (lesbian gay bisexusal transgender) med students, or include sexual orientation as an item in the list for diversity consideration?
Yale and Northwestern do, but are there other more reachable schools that do?
Thanks.

On topic: The University of Pennsylvania actively and openly recruits LGBT medical students.

 

[tantacles]

Also, I've always wondered... If you're a male, but "changed" to a female, are you considered a female or male by legal standards?

You are a female, though some of the older faculty have trouble understanding this.

 

[DifferentialDiagnosis]

Edit- did not answer OPs question

 

[occams_razor]

Interesting.

I would have thought transgender individuals would want to go "go all the way" regarding physically changing their gender.

All transgender people are different and there is a spectrum in terms of what different trans people want and need in terms of surgery/hormones. You also have to consider access and the fact that for many trans people they cannot afford these medical procedures or they may have medical contraindications that prevent them from starting hormones or having surgery.

For example I have a friend who is a trans man (transitioned from female to male) who went on hormone replacement therapy and in his case, he wanted to have surgery. He ended up having a mastectomy, total hysterectomy and bottom surgery. These surgical procedures were very expensive and he saved up for many years to pay out of pocket.
Another person I know who identifies as transgender but has decided not to undergo hormones or surgery for their own personal reasons.

In short, The lgbtq community is very diverse and there are a lot of different gender identities and presentations.


To the OP - I know pcom in Philly is lgbt friendly. I have also heard (from a friend who goes there) that Drexel is as well

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

All transgender people are different and there is a spectrum in terms of what different trans people want and need in terms of surgery/hormones. You also have to consider access and the fact that for many trans people they cannot afford these medical procedures or they may have medical contraindications that prevent them from starting hormones or having surgery.

For example I have a friend who is a trans man (transitioned from female to male) who went on hormone replacement therapy and in his case, he wanted to have surgery. He ended up having a mastectomy, total hysterectomy and bottom surgery. These surgical procedures were very expensive and he saved up for many years to pay out of pocket.
Another person I know who identifies as transgender but has decided not to undergo hormones or surgery for their own personal reasons.

In short, The lgbtq community is very diverse and there are a lot of different gender identities and presentations.

off topic. This isn't the topic of conversation

 

[tantacles]

So far, Yale, Northwestern, and the University of Pennsylvania are three schools who recruit LGBT students. Any others that we know of?

 

[readingrl]

Schools that I have come across that mention LGBT issues in their diversity statement include Drexel, Rosalind Franklin and University of Vermont. They don't specific mention that they recruit LGBT students, but they do include them in their list of populations that would make the campus more diverse.

There are also schools that do not mention recruiting any group (even traditional URM), just that any group with unique experiences will add to the diversity of the school. Heres a list of the schools I found with this extremely vague, but very inclusive diversity statement:
Eastern VA
FAU
FIU
Wake Forest
Western Michigan

This is definitely not a full list, these are just the ones included in the list of schools I am applying to. I hope this helps!

 

[goft20]

This is why I will claim that I am a bisexual lesbian gay transexual with an attitude.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

My med school is kind of bad at actively recruiting anyone of any social background, but being an LGBTQ person at the University of Washington is probably about as nice as it can be, short of being at UCSF - which I hear is made of rainbows and unicorns. Being transgender is a little weird because I have no peers in the entire school, but that's true of almost any med school (outside of UCSF, which had two trans students last time I checked). I'd go with a school where the administration is accepting and you can have access to community outside your cohort.

Also, I wanted to plug the thread in my signature below.

 

[DermViser]

My med school is kind of bad at actively recruiting anyone of any social background, but being an LGBTQ person at the University of Washington is probably about as nice as it can be, short of being at UCSF - which I hear is made of rainbows and unicorns. Being transgender is a little weird because I have no peers in the entire school, but that's true of almost any med school (outside of UCSF, which had two trans students last time I checked). I'd go with a school where the administration is accepting and you can have access to community outside your cohort.

Also, I wanted to plug the thread in my signature below.

UCSF is a whole weird med school in and of itself when it comes to its students.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I have a friend who just graduated from there! She loved it. They rejected me, but that's fine because rent in SF is probably higher than med school tuition.

 

[kkcc]

Schools that I have come across that mention LGBT issues in their diversity statement include Drexel, Rosalind Franklin and University of Vermont. They don't specific mention that they recruit LGBT students, but they do include them in their list of populations that would make the campus more diverse.

Thanks, these 3 schools definitely sound more in reach with my low-30 MCAT score. I look forward to applying to them!