Should I Disclose being Trans during the Application Process?

[Sophisticated-Banana-147]

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I know this is super close to the AMCAS submission open on 5/28, but I wanted to be sure nothing like this had been posted recently before making a thread myself. I'm making another post like this because the Trump administration and the GOP are going after trans people, specifically, as the newest scapegoat (along with migrants and socialists). Lots of past threads focused on self-authenticity and relevance to medical journey, but with the recent wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation and executive orders, along with the federal government threatening to pull funding from institutions of higher education for "promoting woke ideology," I think the topic deserves another look.

Ideally, this post will help any queer applicants, but my situation may be unusual. I'm trans (NB), but I found out less than 2 months ago. That means being trans isn't in any part of my app or essays, and I can probably stealth throughout the entire application process if I have to. Ideally, I'd like to at least add it to my Gender Info on the AMCAS app. I want to increase visibility of trans people (as many friends did for me before I came out to myself), I'm probably going to end up asking interviewers about LGBTQ medicine and affinity groups anyways, and maybe I can get brownie points at the more progressive schools?

On the other hand, I could see schools viewing me as a liability if I'm out on my apps and during interviews. If I'm trans, they might have to consider whether they need to spend extra resources protecting me, which might lower my chances of getting into any school, including progressive ones.

If anyone has any insight into how adcoms consider trans applicants in the current political climate, that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[glycolysister]

Nothing but love for my LGBTQ+ peeps, but I don’t see this helping or hurting your application in any major way on its own.

Most schools aren't going to view you negatively for being trans, but I also wouldn’t suddenly try to frame yourself as an major advocate in LGBTQ+ health when this is perhaps something you’re only just beginning to understand and navigate for yourself. We know adcoms and people in general tend to respond well to authenticity. If this realization happened recently, it’s completely okay for it to just be a personal part of your life right now rather than a central pillar of your application. You don’t need to immediately turn it into a narrative or mission statement for it to be valid or meaningful.

If putting it in AMCAS feels important because visibility matters to you, then do it. If staying more private during the process feels safer or less stressful, that’s okay too. I just wouldn’t make the decision based on whether you think it’ll earn “brownie points” with adcoms.

 

[Goro]

The only schools you need to worry about are LUCOM, Belmont, and Loma Linda.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Happy Pride month.

Read

"Dear Future Queer Medical Student" — Medical Student Pride Alliance

www.medpride.org

I don't know how updated this list is, but start with...

Meet Our Chapters — Medical Student Pride Alliance

www.medpride.org

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Ideally, this post will help any queer applicants, but my situation may be unusual. I'm trans (NB), but I found out less than 2 months ago. That means being trans isn't in any part of my app or essays, and I can probably stealth throughout the entire application process if I have to. Ideally, I'd like to at least add it to my Gender Info on the AMCAS app. I want to increase visibility of trans people (as many friends did for me before I came out to myself), I'm probably going to end up asking interviewers about LGBTQ medicine and affinity groups anyways, and maybe I can get brownie points at the more progressive schools?

Not everyone has an epiphany about being non-binary. Heck, not everyone has an epiphany about being pre-med. But I would advise you to take your time to reflect and determine your own conditions about sharing. Practice how you would tell others about your gender identity, and prepare safely with a trusted friend to anticipate how you would respond to less than hospitable replies, including from your younger, more conservative-minded peers.

What is more important is knowing what safe support networks you have been using to help you understand your non-binary gender identity and health concerns therein. Two months isn't a lot of time to reflect on "what this means" to you. I don't know if you have been involved long-term with community service activities working with multiple diverse communities (race/ethnicity/heritage, disability, gender identity, veterans/military, elderly, immigrant/refugee, etc.).

On the other hand, I could see schools viewing me as a liability if I'm out on my apps and during interviews. If I'm trans, they might have to consider whether they need to spend extra resources protecting me, which might lower my chances of getting into any school, including progressive ones.

If anyone has any insight into how adcoms consider trans applicants in the current political climate, that would be greatly appreciated!

I shared the MSPA site. The Supreme Court ruling explicitly prohibits race/ethnicity considerations; gender identity was not covered.