New Resource Helps LGBTQ Students Considering Careers in Medicine

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students considering a career in medicine can now consult the LGBTQ+ Pre-Med guide for information about finding a good fit, answers to common application questions, and connections to additional resources. This newly published online guide from Northwestern University’s Health Professions Advising office also provides resources for advisors and medical schools outside Northwestern.

“We wanted to create a guide that was not just for Northwestern undergraduate students, but for LGBTQ+ pre-med students across the county. This was designed to reach beyond our community and help students who want to go into medicine and have questions, but don’t have someone to answer those questions,” said Tyler Lockman, a health professions advisor who wrote the LGBTQ+ Pre-Med guide.

The guide provides resources and answers questions for LGBTQ students through different phases, from the initial stage of deciding on pursuing a career in medicine to selecting potential schools to the application process itself. Much of the content in the guide was inspired by Lockman’s master’s degree research on the experiences of sexual and gender minority medical school applicants, which led him to speak with current medical students across seven different schools in the Midwest.

“The most important message for LGBTQ students considering medical school or any health profession is that yes, there is a place for you, there is a need for you, and there is a huge community of LGBTQ health professionals ready to support and mentor you,” said Lockman.