Brief Profile:
I completed applications to 19 schools. I applied to a LOT of reach schools - only because I had the Fee Assistance Program backing me up. Hey, a kid can dream, right?
2 Years High School Teacher 2 Years Lab Experience 2 Years Competitive Dance Teams 100+ Hours Clinical Experiences and Shadowing Leadership Roles (SGA, Global Health Groups, PRIDE, LGBTQ student groups, Student Diversity office) Volunteering Roles (Hospitals, Tutoring Refugees, Local Communities)
This is for my fellow queer applicants. I, myself, had some silly anxieties about being "out" on my applications. Based off of the interviews I've had so far, the interviewers are never going to probe you about your sexual/gender identity. If you have leadership experiences in something queer-related, definitely put it on your AMCAS. The interviewers were more interested in my motivations for becoming a doctor than the fact that I was queer. So fear not.
Just to be clear, my PS was NOT about my being queer (I would NOT recommend that... unless it really does tie in to your motivations for being a doctor somehow). I simply listed my leadership roles in LGBTQ student groups on AMCAS. However, my interests in medicine are motivated in part by my desire to address health disparities/systematic issues/etc that bar the LGBTQ community from receiving competent/available services.
I'm no expert, but I would be happy to relay my personal experience on the application trail. Feel free to message me if you have any questions!
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 05/31/2012
Undergraduate college: Top 20
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
Summary of Experience:
3rd Interview. The interviewers were super nice; I did not feel at all stressed out. Although some of my fellow interviewers complained about one interviewer that I managed to dodge. The student tour guide was hilarious; he really seemed to enjoy his time at the school. Great gym - didn't get to see a classroom - anatomy lab overlooks the city - people complained about the facilities looking old, but honestly it looked fine to me. They are also apparently renovating the lecture halls. One potential negative I did notice is that there aren't too many students hanging out anywhere - they were all studying intensely or in anatomy lab dissecting their cadavers. Definitely saw community in the anatomy lab but not much out in the hallway or in the streets.
Summary of Experience:
2nd Interview. I loved this place. Everything about it. The interviewers were wonderful. Tons of students walking around that look very happy. No matter where you went you saw the students sprawled out or rushing about but being super social. All of the facilities/student spaces/surrounding cityscape is amazing. This also surprised me but Rush is very seriously serious about their community outreach programs. We also met faculty members who were involved in community advocacy (super passionate about ending gun violence) but still involved in the clinics. I was worn out by the days end, but I felt I got a very good perspective of the school.
Summary of Experience:
1st Interview. I came out of one of my interviews a little shocked; I believe after receiving my acceptance that it was a stress interview. The discussion was rife with political issues, human rights, Obamacare, and the idea of personal choice. He shot down my ideas often. By the end I started laughing because it did not seem like real life. The overall feel of the campus was cozy. I was actually surprised by how nice the facilities were. The students were cramming because it was exam day, but they all seemed pretty happy in the common areas. The probation thing is making me a bit cautious, but happy to have been accepted here.
