A Pilot Study of Sexual and Gender Minority Student Experiences in Application to U.S. Medical Schools

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) students in the United States experience adverse dynamics as undergraduates and as medical students, including discrimination or fear of it, heightened stress, and lower social support. Yet little is known about the experiences of SGM medical school applicants. An original survey distributed via SGM student groups at 10 allopathic medical schools in the Midwest yielded quantitative and qualitative data about disclosure of SGM identities during application, experiences of support and discrimination, and resources used. A majority (61.9%) of respondents (n = 42) withheld SGM identities during primary application, most often due to fear of discrimination. A majority (73.8%) expected little or no support from medical schools when deciding whether to disclose SGM identities. Four (12.9%) of 31 total respondents who at some point disclosed an SGM identity experienced discrimination, and three of five (60.0%) gender minorities who disclosed experienced discrimination. Recommendations are offered in light of results.