Identifying Medical Schools With Robust LGBTQ+ Support Systems

Here are some features and key criteria of medical schools that have strong LGBTQ+ support systems and communities.

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Over the past few years, medical schools have seen an increase in matriculants identifying as a sexual orientation other than heterosexual. According to data from the AAMC 2021 Matriculant Student Questionnaire, 14% of all matriculants identified as LGBTA+. (“LGBTA+” is used to encompass all members of the sexual behavior minority and gender identity minority communities.)

In response to these shifts and to address health care disparities, medical schools have made great strides in creating more inclusive learning environments and updating curriculum to address LGBTQ+ patient populations. However, programs vary widely based on each institution. Review the factors below to help identify schools that prioritize LGBTQ+ health equity and inclusion:

• Curriculum
  Across the country, medical schools are exploring ways to build LGBTQ+ content into their curriculum. However, while some schools are just starting, others are much further along. For instance, many institutions have LGBTQ+ electives or certificate programs, but others have seamlessly integrated LGBTQ+ topics into their required classes. For example, a school may demonstrate this by incorporating LGBTQ+ scenarios into standardized patient instructional cases. Browsing a medical school’s website or speaking with an admissions officer can you help you get a sense of this.
  
• Community
  Applicants should also consider how a medical school supports diverse communities through on-campus organizations and social events. Each school’s website will typically feature a list of clubs and social groups. To gain an even better understanding of support, you may want to research if their LGBTQ+ community organizations are primarily student run or if there is faculty support or institutional funding for further support. Also, when reviewing a school’s professional development offerings, you may want to consider: do they regularly include speakers from diverse backgrounds?
  
• Current Student Experiences
  One of the best ways to evaluate a school’s support for LGBTQ+ students is by visiting the campus and speaking with current students. In-person interviews or second-look events are prime opportunities to get a feel for the campus and determine if you will feel comfortable, supported, and welcomed throughout your four years there.

Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources for premeds to consider when researching schools:

• The Medical Student Pride Alliance (MSPA)
  • The Medical Student Pride Alliance (MSPA) is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting current and future LGBTQ+ medical students by fostering community and connections among members. Currently, they have over 100 chapters in medical schools across 36 states.
  • Check out MSPA’s LGBTQ+ Health Equity Report Card . This resource ranks 25 institutions based on 11 criteria to help gauge LGBTQ+ equity at U.S. medical schools. Note that scores are solely based on medical student survey responses, regardless of medical school institutional policy.
    
  • The AAMC Medical School Admission Requirements TM (MSAR ® ) Reports for Applicants and Advisors allows students to compare medical school characteristics from 170 medical schools in one convenient PDF report. Of particular interest is their report on Support Systems for Gender and Sexual Minority Students.
    
  • This website aims to support LGBTQ+ premedical students by discussing common questions, considering how to find the right fit in a medical school, and connecting premeds to additional resources.