Official Homo Premed Thread

[DubZteR]

I like how you've phrased your argument. However, it is exactly in-your-face gays that present a shield behind which silly pseudo-closetted people can hide.

Making the claim that pseudo-closetted people hide from this so called shield which arises because of in your face gays is pointing that finger in the wrong direction. I'll stop here for now.

So, if there is any advancement to be attributed to these - as I've called them - psedu-closetted people, it is because they are able to do whatever work they do well-hidden behind the queens, and the other femme people, who you all appear to have done quite a bit of bashing against.

I have never bashed any of the categories of people you listed above so don't be too quick to use words like "you all .... If anything, it is yourself who has done the reverse to other "gays".

I am not a rude person. I am simply a truthful, direct and for-the-sake-of-fun person. So, get over yourselves! Yes, all of you!

I never said you were a rude person. It is the tone of your posts which makes it seem like you are crossing into this category ... and that "get over yourselves!" line is soo cliche girl. I would have expected something more innovative from a chic Carlosmielefan like yourself.

Lastly, pets are disgusting creatures. People who own them are usually irrational, and entirely irritating people... I find.

I tend to think the opposite.

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[DubZteR]

I am usually a nice person - a bit toothy, but generally nice. I have tried to suppress the more evil tendencies I have but the especially unkind attacks at my noble intentions just make it entirely hard to be the nice person I am.

I love how you try to twist your words! How can you justify a remark like pets/beasts are repugnant and say you had noble intentions. Try to be more sensible and realize that there are others on this board like yourself who are emotionally charged so your comments may be viewed as you simply put it .. as unkind attacks on them.

It was fun getting a rise out of folks here and there, but now I am just plain upset. I do not like to be upset. My blood boils, my eyes get blood shot, my temperature rises, my chest heaves.... This is not the look I strive for.

Ok ... now you're becoming predictive ... and lucky for you .... extended holiday shopping hours are starting to kick in. Go take some of that anger out on your plastics.

And where is the moderator when I am been ripped to shreds? That's what I thought. And we ask for equity!

ripped to shreads? Can you list some examples cuz from what I've seen recently you've done a lot of the ripping.

 

[IAMS]

I do not like to be upset. My blood boils, my eyes get blood shot, my temperature rises, my chest heaves.... This is not the look I strive for.

Not to add to this exhausted conversation, but exactly how you do expect to handle being upset when you're a doctor? Nurses, patients and families, not to mention other doctors, will probably try to get under your skin. If you can't handle yourself in an online forum, what are you going to do when lives are at stake?

 

[DubZteR]

Great news for all you homo premeds in Canada ... This just happened 35 mins ago

--------

TORONTO - Canada's highest court said Thursday the government can redefine marriage to include same-sex couples, but it added that religious officials cannot be forced to perform unions against their beliefs.

The ruling by the court in Ottawa brings to the final stages a long, bitter fight over whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry in Canada.

Judges in six provinces and one territory have already overturned the traditional definition, allowing thousands of same-sex weddings.

Canada would join Belgium and the Netherlands in allowing gay marriage if the government acts to make it legal nationwide. To pass in the House of Commons, the legislation needs the approval of about 44 of the 95 Liberal backbench members of Parliament to obtain a 155-vote majority.

One top Liberal predicted the legislation should pass easily after its introduction, likely early next year. It already has the support of the 38-member Liberal cabinet and virtually all the 54 Bloc Quebecois and 19 New Democrat MPs.

 

[hamhamfan]

Not to add to this exhausted conversation, but exactly how you do expect to handle being upset when you're a doctor? Nurses, patients and families, not to mention other doctors, will probably try to get under your skin. If you can't handle yourself in an online forum, what are you going to do when lives are at stake?

are you sure this guy isn't a troll? I mean, this stuff that you guys are quoting is amazing. It seems like the mods deleted all his posts though. At one point I asked the mods to do that, but they couldn't.

DubZteR: lets see if they can pass it though. Harper says that the vote may be close. Another nice bit of news today was New Zealand passing civil union legislation.

among gay people, some have it way harder :/

RYAN KIM had just delivered an order - penne alla vodka and a Coke, as if he could ever forget - when his creaky old car broke down for the last time. Without wheels, he would have to quit his night job at the Italian restaurant. And with the bus drivers on strike in Los Angeles, he would have to walk a 10-mile round trip every day between his day shift as a bank teller and his room in a Salvation Army residence, what passed for home for an 18-year-old who had left it.

At that moment in October 2003, Ryan surrendered to a corrosive thought: what if he just hadn't come out as gay? If he had stayed in the closet, he would have been two months into his freshman year at New York University, which had admitted him. He would be getting tuition money from his parents. He would still be the star student, the worthy son, instead of an outcast on the edge of poverty.

But he knew what his mind and body had been telling him since his was 5 or 6 years old, a set of inchoate messages that suddenly made sense one day in his junior year of high school, when the health teacher introduced the subject of homosexuality. He knew there was finally no choice in the matter.

Part of him felt proud that he had stepped forward as gay during his senior year at Highlands Ranch High School near Denver, endured taunts in the locker room and stood up as president of the school's Gay-Straight Alliance.

Part of him readily reckoned the price. His mother and father did not attend his graduation, despite all his A's and Advanced Placement classes, normally the guarantee of parental approval. He moved to L. A. a few days later, lying to his friends that he wanted to take some time off before college.

On a night a few weeks after the car died on him, feeling jangled and hyper and so hopeless, Ryan careered through the Internet, searching for a scholarship, for a way out. He landed on a site for something called the Point Foundation, an outfit that provides grants to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered college and graduate students. "I thought, maybe by some weird chance," he recalled. "And in the space of two weeks my life went to awesome."

Even though I'm not out with my parents, I'd guess that they would still support me financially.

more http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/08/n...n=2c042f41632dd21e&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA1

 

[IAMS]

Huh, I guess they did take off all his posts.
He started PMing me yesterday, I just continued to ignore him and figured he'd latched onto someone else.

 

[DubZteR]

Thanks for sharing that story. I'm glad to know things worked out well in the end for him. I can relate on a personal level because I also made my grand exit from the closet in my senior year of high school and my folks did not take the news well at all. I was forced to make the choice between living a "normal" life and one of "sin" as my mom put it and well... I told her there was no choice for me so at that point I was asked to leave. It was very hard on everyone. Luckily though, things have worked out well in the end and my folks are now very supportive. It has been a long process of adjustment but the freedom it has brought me is well worth the bumps along the way!

 

[Cerberus]

are you sure this guy isn't a troll? I mean, this stuff that you guys are quoting is amazing. It seems like the mods deleted all his posts though. At one point I asked the mods to do that, but they couldn't.

DubZteR: lets see if they can pass it though. Harper says that the vote may be close. Another nice bit of news today was New Zealand passing civil union legislation.

among gay people, some have it way harder :/


Even though I'm not out with my parents, I'd guess that they would still support me financially.

more http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/08/n...n=2c042f41632dd21e&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA1

HAMHAM!!!!!! YOU ARE ALIVE!!!!!!! Where the hell have you been?!?!

 

[DubZteR]

HAMHAM!!!!!! YOU ARE ALIVE!!!!!!! Where the hell have you been?!?!

looks like someone has a fan

 

[runner1979]

Looks like Carlos has all but disappeared.....Moving on.....

Do any of you know what you would like to ultimately specialize in?

I'll start. I've always been really interested in OB/Gyn (go figure) and have always seen myself pursuing that specialty. I also know that as a gay male, there are certain health related issues that are specific to our population--and many gay individuals don't get the care they need because they don't feel comfortable talking to their doctor about it. In fact, it seems that sometimes my personal doctor asks me more questions than I to him.

Now I just have to figure out how to practice Ob/Gyn and also help provide treatment for GLBT individuals. Obviously, the L's and some B's are covered. But G's and Ob/Gyn are like oil and water! I just keep thinking of the movie Broken Hearts Club--where that one guy in the glasses is on a date with a gynecologist and everytime the word vagina is mentioned he spits food or fumbles his flatware. LOL. Hopefully, I'll be partnered off sometime in the next 7 years and that won't be an issue!

 

[DubZteR]

Do any of you know what you would like to ultimately specialize in?

Hey Runner!

Good question

I'll start. I've always been really interested in OB/Gyn (go figure) and have always seen myself pursuing that specialty. I also know that as a gay male, there are certain health related issues that are specific to our population--and many gay individuals don't get the care they need because they don't feel comfortable talking to their doctor about it. In fact, it seems that sometimes my personal doctor asks me more questions than I to him.

I've thought about this as well. I took this survey to help figure out what specialty I should go into based mostly on the lifestyle I want to lead and my top matches in order were derm, opth, otolaryn, rad oncology, and plastics. I figure if I enter into derm or plastics ..... I'll be helping the gaybees b/c we all know how obsessed they are with looking fabulous ... lol

Now I just have to figure out how to practice Ob/Gyn and also help provide treatment for GLBT individuals. Obviously, the L's and some B's are covered. But G's and Ob/Gyn are like oil and water! I just keep thinking of the movie Broken Hearts Club--where that one guy in the glasses is on a date with a gynecologist and everytime the word vagina is mentioned he spits food or fumbles his flatware. LOL. Hopefully, I'll be partnered off sometime in the next 7 years and that won't be an issue!

That's too funny. My mom seems to think I should be a OB/GYN b/c I might turn straight if I am exposed to a lot of you know what on a daily basis. She keeps telling me she doesn't understand how I can be attracted to guys. To her men are so rough, smelly, pigs etc yet girls are soft, pretty, delicate etc... so i just told her that maybe she's a lesbian . Something else that's funny is when I was 17 .. my mom caught me watching porn (str8) and she was furious. Later that year I came out and my mom said I should start watching "those movies" again to see how sex should really be. hahaha

Anyhow .. sorry for getting off topic

 

[werbowy]

I think Carlos was just trying to be funny. He is actually a really nice and respectful person in person. He feels really bad for taking his joke too far. He hopes you'll all accept his apology, and he wishes you all the very best.

 

[bth7]

So happy to see other gays being open about it during this process. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[hamhamfan]

HAMHAM!!!!!! YOU ARE ALIVE!!!!!!! Where the hell have you been?!?!

Sup Cerb. The lab cracked down on students coming on weekends and nights so my prime posting time was taken away. Anyways, I was losing lots sleep carrying out your demands

 

[getunconcsious]

I think Carlos was just trying to be funny. He is actually a really nice and respectful person in person. He feels really bad for taking his joke too far. He hopes you'll all accept his apology, and he wishes you all the very best.

I dunno, he was always nice to me, so I think he's pretty cool. But that being said, I didn't agree with most of what he said on this thread.

 

[DianaLynne]

Hey everyone,

I just interviewed at Rochester on Friday and I would like to report that all of my interviewers were very positive about my L status. It felt like a safe place to talk and they seemed very much on the same page on same-sex marriage that I do. I was very pleased.

 

[DianaLynne]

Looks like Carlos has all but disappeared.....Moving on.....

Do any of you know what you would like to ultimately specialize in?

Wow. I didn't realize when you were banned that all traces were erased. Kind of rough I think. I for one hope that Carlos can come back someday and not be quite so silly.

as far as my future specialization goes, I'm interested in internal medicine. I want to make it known that I'll be a doc that GLBTs can feel safe in. Even in Boulder, I don't think there's a list of docs that are GLBT friendly.

 

[uclabruin2003]

so i havent been a big poster in this thread...but i need some relationship advice. ive been dating a guy for 6 mo or so now. i finally started "the talk" about where we were and where things are headed. so turns out....although he is committed to me...he doesnt label us as "boyfriends;" and he's not into labels (yeah suspicious right?) But he seems to be a great guy in any other sense...very caring, warm and funny.

Unfortuantely (fortunately) I got in to CCLCM. Its my dream school. He is definitely staying in nyc to do fellowship. In any case, his stance is "lets continue to date knowing there is going to be an end." At this point I am unsure of what to do...I dont like the thought that there is going to be an end. Realistically there may be an end. However, Id like to entertain the thought that there will be not. We both have been in LDR that have not worked out. I am not asking for that type of committment now. Perhaps he was confused? All I want is for him to keep an open mind.

Am I asking too much? I can forsee myself developing more feelings for him in the future and would like to avoid being hurt. Anyways..any opinions? Thanks all.

 

[getunconcsious]

Congrats on getting in to CCLM! I don't know about the whole LDR thing, maybe yall could just leave it open-ended, ya know, put the relationship on hold like Case did to me, and tell him you'll make a decision by April 15.

Ok but all kidding aside, you could just wait and see where it goes, since it's not like you have to make a decision today. I wonder why he wants to make a decision so quickly, but it's probably to avoid being hurt later. Best of luck to you and congrats again!

 

[runner1979]

so i havent been a big poster in this thread...but i need some relationship advice. ive been dating a guy for 6 mo or so now. i finally started "the talk" about where we were and where things are headed. so turns out....although he is committed to me...he doesnt label us as "boyfriends;" and he's not into labels (yeah suspicious right?) But he seems to be a great guy in any other sense...very caring, warm and funny.

Unfortuantely (fortunately) I got in to CCLCM. Its my dream school. He is definitely staying in nyc to do fellowship. In any case, his stance is "lets continue to date knowing there is going to be an end." At this point I am unsure of what to do...I dont like the thought that there is going to be an end. Realistically there may be an end. However, Id like to entertain the thought that there will be not. We both have been in LDR that have not worked out. I am not asking for that type of committment now. Perhaps he was confused? All I want is for him to keep an open mind.

Am I asking too much? I can forsee myself developing more feelings for him in the future and would like to avoid being hurt. Anyways..any opinions? Thanks all.

Everyone on this board could spout advice to you, but in reality, you probably already know how you are going to handle your dilemna. Relationships can be a lot of work--and going off to medical school sure will put a strain on them.

My only advice--don't worry so much about the effect of medical school on your relationship that you forget to enjoy your relationship *now*. You can't live your life in such a manner as to avoid being hurt because you would never *live* life.

 

[uclabruin2003]

thanks getunconscious and runner.

yeah i should enjoy what i have now. but his view on how things will be is too fatalistic. its putting a damper in my moods. i cant get into him and give him 100% knowing that whatever happens.... its going to end. id always like to think that there is some hope (no matter how small).

 

[DubZteR]

thanks getunconscious and runner.

yeah i should enjoy what i have now. but his view on how things will be is too fatalistic. its putting a damper in my moods. i cant get into him and give him 100% knowing that whatever happens.... its going to end. id always like to think that there is some hope (no matter how small).

I was in a similar situation a while back and we both decided that it would be best if we remained friends. I'm your monogamous type so I'm in it for the long run and ... as soon as I knew there was going to be an end ..... that really put a dampen on things (like you said).

It worked out for the best b/c two months after we decided to be friends ... I met the most awesome, sweetest, cutest boy ever off of friendster and things have been great for us since. YaY Friendster!!!

Good Luck!

 

[rayofdiana]

Hey. I interviewed at Penn a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to share a really great experience I had there. I'm bi, but I haven't really been that out on my apps or at interviews. However, I do have my job working at a campus Gender & Sexuality center listed on my ecs. My interviewer at Penn asked me if that was code for LGBT and then talked about all of the LGBT friendly required lectures in the curriculum. He also told me that as an out member of the faculty, he's found Penn to be very welcoming. Also, I definitely got the impression that he was excited to be interviewing a queer applicant and would be pulling extra hard for me in adcom meetings.

Just thought that might be nice to know...

 

[DubZteR]

Hey. I interviewed at Penn a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to share a really great experience I had there. I'm bi, but I haven't really been that out on my apps or at interviews. However, I do have my job working at a campus Gender & Sexuality center listed on my ecs. My interviewer at Penn asked me if that was code for LGBT and then talked about all of the LGBT friendly required lectures in the curriculum. He also told me that as an out member of the faculty, he's found Penn to be very welcoming. Also, I definitely got the impression that he was excited to be interviewing a queer applicant and would be pulling extra hard for me in adcom meetings.

Just thought that might be nice to know...

That is really awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing and I hope that things work out for you

 

[VeggieGal]

I was just wondering whether people were talking about their sexuality on their med school applications. One of my friends is openly gay and will be applying next year, yet he is not sure whether he should include this aspect of his life in his personal statement or some of the diversity essays that the secondaries have. Has anyone experienced any negativity from adcom members? Does the issue come up in interviews? Any advice for him? Thanks!

 

[locoindio]

Yo,
TravellinDoc. I am not gay myself, but I am Indian. In this country, despite my educated background and the fact that I speak with no accent, someone somewhere in my family probably, according to stereotype, owns a convenient store, drives a f*ckin taxi. Whatever. Apparently ignorance pervades all sense of reason. Much love for the comfort you have with yourself, man. Tons of straight guys go off and do ******edass **** trying to impress other people, mainly because they're not comfortable with themselves....so you get much love from me for that. I've never seen why sexual orientation is such a huge issue among people. 'That is not the way God intended it to be.' or 'God condemns those who are homosexuals.' Both these statements make no sense to me at all. If we believe God to an all benevolent Entity, why would he/she condem someone just because they have a different sexual preference? However, if I commit a hit and run, and I end up in jail, according to religion in this country if I am truly truly truly sorry and never do it again, I'll still get into Heaven. What kind of lesson is that? people concoct and mould religion to their preference. Most of the people who believe gay marriage and homosexual anything is wrong will be dead in the next 30-40 years, allowing for guys like you me....young cats.....to change things. The hell with closed-minded authoritarian I care more about my pocketbook than your happiness and I'll do whatever I can not to accept change even if it does not affect my life at all....dinguses. Loco's out. One.

 

[bth7]

Great Article if you have the time to read:

Canada goes to h=ll by Mark Morford

 

[brainyjock]

I was just wondering whether people were talking about their sexuality on their med school applications. One of my friends is openly gay and will be applying next year, yet he is not sure whether he should include this aspect of his life in his personal statement or some of the diversity essays that the secondaries have. Has anyone experienced any negativity from adcom members? Does the issue come up in interviews? Any advice for him? Thanks!

Hi Veggie,
So, I also wrestled with this question while filling out my AMCAS. The admissions process is so competitive that I began to question every aspect of my application! I decided that it was important for me to be myself on my application, including mentioning the fact that I was the head of the GLBT organization at my school. I personally felt that if I was not out, then I wasn't representing myself accurately, and I would rather be admitted or rejected based upon all of the facts. Well, lo and behold, by the beginning of November, I had already interviewed at seven schools...and I've now been admitted to three very good schools! I am very excited. Granted, my stats were competitive, but my decision to be more than good numbers paid off. I hope this helps!

 

[DubZteR]

Great Article if you have the time to read:

Canada goes to h=ll by Mark Morford

Thanks for posting ... !!!

 

[getunconcsious]

on a side note, dubzter is very cute.

 

[shivalrous]

Hmm to be on the safe side...don't ask, don't tell? You don't have to hide your sexuality, but I can see how being TOO open with it...especially with adcoms...could possibly end up as a detriment. Considering the number of states that are against gay marriage should give us enlightenment about how homosexuals are still viewed. I am not against homosexuals, I believe they should possess every right heterosxeual people do. But I highly doubt that explaining your sexuality puts you at an advantage in an interview.

Just my $.02...good luck to all in interviews...regardlesss if hetero or homo.

 

[DubZteR]

on a side note, dubzter is very cute.

Thanks ..... but that's actually my bf ... I like to think I'm just as charming though *blush*

 

[Cerberus]

I was just wondering whether people were talking about their sexuality on their med school applications. One of my friends is openly gay and will be applying next year, yet he is not sure whether he should include this aspect of his life in his personal statement or some of the diversity essays that the secondaries have. Has anyone experienced any negativity from adcom members? Does the issue come up in interviews? Any advice for him? Thanks!

I would not advise it. The vast majority of this country is still not very accepting of homosexuals. I feel that being openly gay could only hurt you in the admissions process. Once you get in, flame away but until then, I think it would be prudent to say as little as possible about your sexuality.

 

[DubZteR]

I would not advise it. The vast majority of this country is still not very accepting of homosexuals. I feel that being openly gay could only hurt you in the admissions process. Once you get in, flame away but until then, I think it would be prudent to say as little as possible about your sexuality.

I don't know if I necessarily agree that being out could only hurt an applicant during the admissions' game but I do echo your concern with regards to individuals who would exclude us from entering medicine if possible. I was asked about my the car enthusiast club I founded and while my interviewer seemed very interested in what I had to say, I sadly did not have the guts to mention that it was a gay car enthusiast club. I ultimately was accepted at this school but ... looking back, I have to wonder if the outcome would have been different had I decided to come out .... It's a real toughie!!!!!

 

[DubZteR]

I personally felt that if I was not out, then I wasn't representing myself accurately, and I would rather be admitted or rejected based upon all of the facts. Well, lo and behold, by the beginning of November, I had already interviewed at seven schools...and I've now been admitted to three very good schools! I am very excited. Granted, my stats were competitive, but my decision to be more than good numbers paid off. I hope this helps!

I know exactly what you mean about representing yourself accurately .... It was a real dilemma for me. I ultimately decided I would not come out during any interviews or on any of my applications after I consulted several close gay friends about the issue. Each one of them advised against it at this stage (unless I was interviewing with the Dean at Tufts) because they told me that even as professionals ... it may cloud my interviewers' judgments of me.

Nevertheless, I'm really happy to hear how well things things have worked out for you.

Rest assured .. I will definately be out when I apply for residency

 

[CarlosMielefan]

CMf is back, call your friends! I've created a monster... etc. etc. Not a fan of Shady, but it seemed apt.

It's been quite the rest. I did get a little trollish there for a few days or so, and I think I deserved to be kicked off. In that time off, I read a very good book: "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter." It chronicles the journey of a man who knew something that many people in 1930s America did not know. He had ideas about race, worker rights and freedom and he went exhorting these ideas from city to city. Each time, he would realize that he was the only one who knew , and that would upset him so much that he moved to the next city. The book ends with him traveling to the next city having lost yet another battle in getting people to know. In his rude, insulting approach, he seemed tragic, lost, comical and even pathetic. I have not been unlike Jake Blount.

But I am rambling. I am glad to be back, and I will try to be civil in my approach. I think I know quite a bit.... I'd like to thank getunconscious and werbowy and VPDcurt and other kind and supportive SDN-ers. It is hard and bitter pill to swallow: SDN is not a democracy.

 

[uclabruin2003]

i never joined a glbt org or did anything in that area...so my amcas wasnt revealing in that way. in my interviews...it never came up .... though at my usuhs interview...i was definitely feeling the pressure to be "straight." thank god i dont have to go there....though...i guess i figured out that id rather go to any other school than that just bc of the whole gay thing as well as the looooong service time.

congrats to all who were out and were accepted!

 

[DubZteR]

bump

 

[DubZteR]

so how is everyone doing now that first year has finally started?

how was your orientation experience?

have you come across any other glbt students in your classes so far?

 

[bth7]

There are a lot of us queer types at this school. It's very gay friendly being in the bay area and all. Thought you might be interested.
Some info from a first year TUCOM student:

I am going to be interviewing at Touro soon. I wanted to get some information from a student who is there right now. How do you like it? And what are some of the highs/lows in your opinion. Is the area conducive to studying? thanks!!

hey dude,

sorry for the slow response. as you can imagine, I'm sort of busy.

i really like touro. I'm coming from Columbia, so i was excepting to be disappointed. so far I'm impressed.

you HAVE to understand, everyone's perspective is going to be different. a lot of people have a lot of gripes - about any school. so there's no reason you should listen to me necessarily. I'm an older (29) med student. So my perspective is different. I'm okay being a bit more self-directed.

you've probably read this elsewhere, and i agree with this general opinion.

TUCOM students - rock!, eclectic mix of backgrounds, fun people, want to live in bay area cause they know its better than elsewhere.
TUCOM profs - very good, care about students, like to teach, don't have a lot of other responsibilities besides teaching since TUCOM isn't a big institution.
TUCOM admin - problems. people don't like the computer admin people cause we don't have wireless in the lecture hall - "they're working on it." for some reason this infuriates everyone. i don't really give a ****.
TUCOM location - it ain't the most beautiful place in the world. you're going to be in a lecture hall all day everyday, so it won't really matter.
i couldn't stomach living in Vallejo so I live in Berkley. it takes me 25min to get to school each day. i could carpool, but I'm lazy and i skip a lot of classes so i don't. it adds about $250 to my monthly budget versus living in Vallejo/Bencia/Glen Cove, but my rent is only $400 so I can handle it. I have a lot of friends in East Bay / SF so I live to be able to drive into SF in 15min or take BART. Vallejo is a good 50 min from SF. THERE IS NO TRAFFIC coming from east bay to Vallejo in AM - its the reverse of all the other commuters.

The TUCOM library people are great. You have access to every journal is existence. TUCOM profs and course rely heavily on electronic resources - power point slides are posted, lecture notes are posted, students have an active yahoo group where we all post **** and b*tch about stuff. The library is open till midnight.
I go the the Berkeley Bio library to study a lot. I like being able to walk around and get food, which you can't do at TUCOM. Though a 5 min drive puts you within reach of whatever you want (Starbucks, Taco Bell, cheap Mexican, etc.)

Anatomy lab is great. Anatomy profs are great. Good class. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes musculoskeletal knowledge a lot more than allopathic schools, so you're going to know your anatomy. I have friends at MD schools so we compare notes.

OMM - hard class. hard to understand. hard to study for. everyone in my class seems confused. the profs are nice and want to help but there's not enough time. often it feels like this "additional" thing you are trying to learn on top of the already ridiculous workload. but it is pretty cool to be able to diagnosis and treat with your hands. its impressive and inspiring to see the docs at a school do it well.

Dorms- not as bad as website makes them luck.

rotations - i'm just a first year, so i don't really know jack about this. but it seems that TUCOM sets you up. you're not left to fend for yourself. you will have to travel though - Michigan, NV, SoCAL, NY. Not all these places, but one. It is possible to stay in bay area if you really try. but then you will be moving around a lot - Marin to SF to Solano county, etc.

bottom line - tucom is what it is. personally, i think we are the best osteopathic out there. simply b/c we're in the bay area we attract decent students and prof. Examples - public health prof is a Harvard Med School MD and PhD. Some of anatomy profs also work in UCSF anatomy lab.

Also, you CAN do research at Touro if you want. definitely possibly. not that you'll have the time. you won't.

so that's some info. hope it helps.

As far as being gay, lesbian, bi, questioning, or otherwise weird goes, there's no school in the country as open and welcoming as Touro - California.

good luck!!

 

[bth7]

Is there any life out there?

 

[Shatterstar17]

Yep, Penn MSTP next year, baby. Anyone else?

Is there any life out there?

 

[DubZteR]

still a homo ... but technically not a pre-med anymore

 

[kirexhana]

Is there any life out there?

sure is.

 

[Shatterstar17]

sure is.

Wow, you finished Duke's application? ****.. Hot avatar BTW.

 

[bth7]

There's a dramatic story at Touro College of Medicine in California unfolding at the moment. The university has inexplicably barred the Gay/Lesbian and Bisexual students from meeting as a group on campus.

Here's some links to important info:

Vallejo Times-Herald

Wikipedia Article on TUGSA

www.tugsa.net

Here's the number to call to voice your opinion on this matter:

These are the two numbers to call:

TUCOM SGA: (707) 567-4121 email: [email protected]
Dean of Students: (707) 638-5294 email: [email protected]

These are public, Touro University numbers for TUCOM classes 2007-2010. Anyone who has a question about where the SGA stands on this matter - refer them to these numbers. Also, you can just call the number and leave a message or make a comment about your position on the TUGSA matter. (Keep it friendly please.)

Please foward this information to anyone you think is willing to help.

Bryan Hopping, MS II
Touro University Gay-Straight Alliance

 

[wistarrat]

Woah. Thanks for posting that, Bryan. I'll make sure to pass that info along to MCV/VCU med. Let me know what else we can do to help.

 

[bth7]

Thanks for the response. This is going to be big. Please SPREAD THE WORD. GLMA is on board. AMSA is drafting their position at this time. We need to get phone calls and emails into the names listed in my previous email. Do what you can to motivate a response from your student body and school to this outrage. We trying to put a lot of pressure on them at his moment. Every phone call helps.

Thank you so much, Send those emails. Make the calls.

Bryan

 

[LizzyM]

If this portion of the article in the Vallejo Times incorrect?

The club can continue to function as an informal group, but can't receive formal sponsorship from student government, Church [university official] said.

The Gay-Straight Alliance group can post information on campus and hold activities there, but is restricted from using or referring to the university's name, he said.
----------------------------------

Might this be an explanation not unlike the NYMC dust up awhile back (NYMC is Catholic):

The gay lifestyle goes against the Jewish university's values, said Nathan Church, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

"The university is very much committed to its students and also is very much committed to its religious heritage," Church said.
---------------------------------
Is it correct that the club had 20 active members and that Touro has 865 students?

 

[bth7]

Subject: News Release: GLMA Decries Decision by Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine to Ban Gay Straight Alliance Student Group

Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 15:49:37 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2006

GLMA DECRIES DECISION BY TOURO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE TO
BAN GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE STUDENT GROUP
Pledges to seek relief for students of banned organization

SAN FRANCISCO - September 9, 2006 - The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
today publicly decried the decision of the Touro University College of
Osteopathic Medicine, a private medical school in Vallejo, CA, to ban a
student group that focuses on the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) patients and students.

In 2002, students at the school formed the Touro University Gay-Straight
Alliance (TUGSA) with the mission of "promoting equitable health care
delivery through awareness and education, and . . . representing diversity
both on campus and in medicine." This month, Touro's administration, citing
the school's Orthodox Jewish heritage, suddenly revoked the group's charter
and rescinded its funding, which had already been approved.

"This situation is reminiscent of the decision of New York Medical College
to ban its LGBT student group in 2004 based on that school's Roman Catholic
heritage," GLMA's Executive Director, Joel Ginsberg, JD, MBA, stated.
"However, after long discussions, the NYMC administration recognized that
the LGBT community continues to be marginalized in healthcare and reinstated
the group. As a result of this situation, the American Medical Association
updated its policies to state that the AMA 'supports the right of medical
students and residents to form groups and meet on-site to further their
medical education or enhance patient care without regard to their gender,
gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, ethnic
origin, national origin or age.'"

Bryan Hopping, a second-year medical student at Touro, said: "It's
disturbing how out of touch the Touro administration is, because the
students and faculty are overwhelmingly supportive of us. I've been really
touched by conservative students who have come up to me and said, 'this club
has made me aware of my own homophobia - thank you.'"

Hopping continued: "The LGBT community has a unique set of health issues
that young doctors-to-be need to know about, so that LGBT people get the
care they're entitled to, just like any other group."

The Healthy People 2010 Companion Document on LGBT Health, commissioned by
the US Department of Health and Human Services, documents a number of health
disparities experienced by LGBT persons as a result of their sexual
orientation or gender identity. According to Ginsberg, "many of these
disparities are associated with the fear or outright discrimination LGBT
persons experience when they reveal their sexual orientation or gender
identity to their healthcare providers."

"One of the major goals of our 25th anniversary conference to be held in San
Francisco October 11-14, 'Bringing LGBT Healthcare into the Mainstream,' is
to counter the false notion that LGBT health is an exotic area of health.
All physicians encounter LGBT patients in their practices and need to know
how to care for them as for all their patients.

"Modeling discriminatory attitudes in medical education perpetuates fear and
discrimination against LGBT people generally and undermines the health of
LGBT patients. We at GLMA hope that the administration at Touro University -
which states that its 'values involve a commitment to social justice,
intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity' - will discuss this very
serious issue with us. In the meantime, we continue to explore other ways of
raising awareness about this issue in the hopes that these students will
eventually get the learning environment they need and deserve."

-30-

For 25 years, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association has worked to ensure
equality in health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients
and health professionals.