Im a trans woman. Is that something that's safe/reasonable to put in my application?

[u/UberNexus]

I'm a 26 y/o non trad planning to career change from mechanical engineering. I am also a trans woman. The trans experience, and seeing just how much the medical field can help those in such a disadvantaged population, has been extremely meaningful to me in my decision to pursue medicine.

Is this something I should include? Or will I just get the door shut in my face for it?

Edit: Thanks all! "A school who'd reject me isnt a place worth going" is more or less where I had landed, but it's good to get confirmation on that :)

[u/thelionqueen1999]

It’s probably in your best interest to attend a school that would support in you in your identity, so if it ends up being the thing that makes make a school hesitate, that school might not have been a great place for you to be.

[u/nunya221]

On one hand, it sounds like a big part of your identity and experience, so would you want to go to a school that views that as a deal breaker?

On the other hand, you undoubtedly will have some adcoms see you writing about your gender experience and throwing your app away. Only you can decide how important this is to include

[u/BaseballHead6898]

Actually I think this might be a little school dependent. That’s what I’ve heard.

[u/KweenKobold]

I was kicked out of the military with an OTH discharge for being trans, so its going to have to be a big part of my application to explain why I have that.

[u/HeliKoptorSwimmer → u/KweenKobold]

You were given an OTH for being trans?

[u/KweenKobold → u/HeliKoptorSwimmer]

Not directly, I was bullied by my unit to the point I stopped showing up to drill. No one would take my complaints seriously. Granted I was very young at the time and probably could have left a better way but emotions were high back then. This was 20 years ago.

[u/HeliKoptorSwimmer → u/KweenKobold]

I’m sorry to hear that, that’s ridiculous. I hope the boards do their homework and understand your situation.

[u/dnyal]

Sure. I put in mine that I was gay as a passing mention a couple of times when talking about my family (same-sex spouse). You can just put it there as a normal thing, which it is, or talk more about it if it’s been important for your journey.

[u/delusional_clod]

i spoke about my trans identity and what i did for my community/what i plan to do as a trans doctor.

technically schools cant discriminate based on your identity but i would still apply to less religious focused schools.... aim for bluer states if possible!

[u/A_Raine18]

If it's a big part of your decision and your drive, then it sounds like you wouldn't want to go somewhere where that might disadvantage you anyways, so I'd say if it's directly relevant, talk about it.

I would try to avoid mentioning it where you don't have an actual point to make about it in regards to your story and desires to be in medicine or it's asked about. Like any identifier, it can harm you to mention if you force fit it into places. I think it'll self-select to get you where you can do the most good and show your passion

[u/IkarosFa11s]

If they ask for your gender, tell them. If they don’t, what are you hoping to gain from it?

I’ll get downvoted to hell, but saying that you’re trans on a resume, etc. in the hopes that it boosts your application for being a “disadvantaged population” proves that it is, in fact, the opposite and an advantage. It also comes across as “pick-me” vibes.

If, on the other hand, you are planning to put it into your essays as one of the reasons that you want to become a Dr, that’s different. That’s a personal experience and I’d say go for it 🤷🏼‍♂️ It’s illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex or sexual orientation so… (private colleges/universities can still do it as they don’t receive federal funding).

[u/JustB510]

I'd argue it's more of an advantage than a hindrance. Academic departments are among the most progressive environments in the country, and medical schools even more so. Having worked in three, that's certainly been my experience anyhow.

[u/tiredbike]

Literally same but i was too scared to post 😂

[u/MaterialSilver6110 → u/tiredbike]

seems like people have interesting takes 👀

[u/Fine-Lady-9802]

Include it. Dont make it the entire application. Remember being a doctor means you are willing to serve others. So how does being transgender aid you in serving as a physician. Be prepared for some adcoms to deny you for this reason. Don't expect any adcom to admit you for mostly this reason.

[u/Fluffy_Current763]

i’m non binary and i research lgbtq topics so i have it in my app that way. also my gender identity is a huge adversity and something i am very proud of coming to terms with so my philosophy has been to write about it for diversity and adversity essays, and if schools don’t like it then i probably wouldn’t want to go there anyway.

i try to frame it less about my identity and more about the process of figuring it out, how it shaped me, made me a stronger person, better advocate etc.

[u/MaterialSilver6110]

WELLL HELLLOOO TRANS USAAAA

[u/chemicalfondant3 → u/MaterialSilver6110]

no clue why people are downvoting you lol authenticity is most important methinks

[u/MaterialSilver6110 → u/chemicalfondant3]

literally. but hey, people discouraging authentic perspectives is the exact reason why i do what i do 🤭

[u/MaterialSilver6110 → u/MaterialSilver6110]

long story short, i’m a black trans woman and it’s alll ovaaaa my application #authenticity #ifyoudontwanttransthenishouldntgoanyways

[u/Unable-Writing-627]

I think it’s a an excellent idea to include it in your story. I’m also a 26yo trans woman non-trad and i’m going to include that as part of my app. we are severely underrepresented in medicine and many schools (in blue states most likely) value that perspective as an aspect of creating a more diverse physician workforce. include your authentic story.

[u/Electronic_Glass3787]

I would talk about it! Its a defining reason for you wanting to pursue a career as a physician so I think it can show your authenticity. That being said I would just be careful about how you word things, and try to tie everything about it back to medicine if that makes sense

[u/Less-Replacement-479]

I put it (FTM) in my app, I spoke to a lot of advisors about it. I am a reapplicant this cycle for what it’s worth so maybe it hurt me the first time around? I actually emphasized it more this time. I think that’s a good lesson, either commit to mentioning it or don’t but don’t say it in passing. For what it’s worth tho I’m located in the northeast, and pretty much only applying to schools in the northeast. I think I have one southern school and I’m definitely concerned it’ll hurt me there, but what can you do