Common Questions

It is entirely your decision whether or not to share your sexual orientation or gender identity on your medical school application. Additionally, there is no right or wrong answer. This should be a personal decision that you feel good about.

If you decide to be “out” on your application, it is also up to you just how out you want to be. Some applicants may decide to check a box (if offered) on a secondary application indicating an LGBTQ identity and say nothing more about it. Other applicants may decide to share their identity as part of their narrative in a personal statement. Still others may share their identities as part of an extracurricular description. Be as out as you are comfortable being on your application, and if you are not sure how out you want to be, seek out a trusted advisor or mentor to discuss your decision.

If you decide to share your LGBTQ identity prominently on your application, it can be advantageous to demonstrate clearly to medical schools how your identity and the perspective you have gained from it will contribute to their diverse medical community.

Questions you might consider or discuss with an advisor include “What is the relevance or significance of your identity to the overall story you are trying to tell on your application?” and “What is your comfort level discussing your sexual orientation or gender identity with an interviewer in the event it comes up?” Remember: Anything on your primary or secondary applications is fair game for interview discussion (if the school makes your application available to interviewers).

Some LGBTQ applicants decide not to share their identities on primary applications, which are sent to all the medical schools to which they choose to apply, and then selectively share their identities to certain schools they trust with that information on secondary application, which are only sent to the specific school that provided it.

Note: It is inappropriate for a medical school interviewer to ask you your sexual orientation or gender identity if you have not disclosed it.

There are several ways you might share your identity during the application process, should you choose to do so. There is no single approach that will work for everyone, and your approach should be one with which you feel comfortable. A few examples:

If you share your identity in one of these written forms, consider having a friend or advisor read what you have written. Ideally, this person would already understand your motivation for coming out on the application and focus on language and tone.

No. Some applicants may choose to share their LGBTQ identity briefly, such as in a “check box” secondary application question, or with a quick mention in a personal statement. You may also have developed important skills or competencies (e.g. leadership, communication, teamwork) via participation in student group or community organization related to your LGBTQ identity. It is appropriate to discuss your LGBTQ identity in such contexts, and it is helpful to highlight how those experiences have shaped your perspective and preparation for a career in medicine.

How a school uses the information you share about your identities will vary. Some schools are restricted by law to not include identity (particularly race and ethnicity) in their considerations. Others may limit their considerations of identity in the admissions process to race and ethnicity as they work to craft a diverse class of students. Further, some schools take a broad approach to diversity and will consider LGBTQ representation an important component of a diverse medical school class. A 2013 study examined how some U.S. medical schools approach definitions of diversity in admissions and programming.

Some schools will use LGBTQ identity disclosures to connect applicants with opportunities at their institution, including the chance to meet with or talk to current LGBTQ students, the chance to interview with a similarly identified faculty member, or an invitation to a diversity event during interview day.

If your identity has played a role in your overall narrative or trajectory and you choose to share it, schools may consider that identity as part of their holistic review the same way they might consider the role race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, life experiences, and other aspect contribute to an applicants’ journey to the point of application.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) currently defines underrepresented in medicine as “those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.” Thus, by definition, LGBTQ applicants are not considered underrepresented in medicine by the AAMC. However, some medical schools adhere to their own institutional definitions. A 2013 study showed about one-third of participating institutions considered diversity factors beyond the AAMC’s definition.

A small number of schools, including the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, publicly state sexual and gender minorities are considered underrepresented in medicine by the institution.

The AAMC also does not currently consider LGBTQ applicants underrepresented minorities for the purposes of admissions. Again, individual schools may take a different approach, even if they do not say so publicly.

While the vast majority of U.S. medical schools have a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity (and in some cases gender expression), some LGBTQ students still experience discrimination during the application process, be it directly or more subtly.

In a 2019, Northwestern IRB-approved study conducted by an HPA advisor (submitted for publication), 9.5 percent of respondents said they had experienced discrimination while applying to medical school. Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) also shows a small percentage of graduating medical students report discriminatory experiences based on sexual orientation or gender.

In rare instances, LGBTQ applicants may face overt discrimination, such as intrusive or inappropriate interview questions. More often, LGBTQ students report facing subtle discrimination, such as heteronormative or cis-normative interview questions or a lack of gender-neutral facilities.

Some students see being out on their application as a way to determine if they would feel safe and supported at a school. If a school were to discriminate based on an LGBTQ identity, it is not likely a place an LGBTQ student would feel comfortable and happy learning.

The bottom line: Though it is prohibited and not common, discrimination on the basis of LGBTQ identities still occurs, just as it does on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, disability, and other attributes. Consider how you might handle an instance of discrimination, both in the moment and after the fact. Being prepared will help you handle discrimination if you encounter it.

If you feel like you have experienced discrimination or bias, you have a right and a responsibility to report it. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), medical schools are responsible for establishing procedures by which applicants can report discrimination confidentially, and those procedures should be shared with applicants prior to interviews. The AAMC offers more insight on this, as well as examples of inappropriate interview questions and ways you might want to respond.

If a medical school did not share its confidential reporting procedures with you, the AAMC recommends reporting the incident to an admissions officer during the interview day, if possible, or afterward by email. Further, the AAMC also says you have a right to request another interview in order to receive an unbiased evaluation of your candidacy.

If you are concerned about reporting an incident of discrimination or bias, particularly if a school does not have a confidential process, consult with a trusted advisor or mentor on your options for what to do next. While some students may choose not to report incidents out of fear it will have a negative impact on their application, doing so helps schools address problems and prevent future incidents for other applicants.

As you go through the application process, there are several resources that may be helpful. Consider the following:

How to finance dental work

Our experts answer readers' personal loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how they assess personal loans). In some cases, they receive a commission from their partners; however, their opinions are their own.

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Affording everything you need for dental care isn't easy. Whether you have dental insurance or not, some dental procedures simply aren't in the budget. 

Fortunately, you may be able to finance dental work. You can take out a dental loan or pursue several other options to spread the cost over time. 

See Insider's picks for the best personal loans >>

Dental loans are personal loans that you take out for the purpose of paying for dental treatment. 

Dental loans are approved based on your creditworthiness, including factors like your credit score, employment status, and income. They're typically unsecured loans, with no collateral needed. You can use a dental loan to help pay for major expenses like root canals, crowns, and cavity fillings. As with any personal loan, a higher credit score will usually get you a lower interest rate. 

A big advantage of a dental loan is that most providers don't require you to specify it being used for dental work. While you may direct all of those funds toward dental expenses, you're usually free to use some of it for other needs. You might receive more flexible repayment options than you'd get from other financing. 

While dental loans are used for necessary work to keep your teeth and gums healthy, it's still important to pay attention to your borrowing terms. If you take out any kind of loan, examine your available funds and make a repayment plan first.

"No matter how you pay for your dental work, understand all the terms and conditions before committing," says Leslie H. Tayne, Esq., the founder and head attorney of the Tayne Law Group.

You can talk to your loan provider about what kind of terms you need to be able to repay it on time. For especially costly dental work, you may need a longer repayment period, for example. Loan providers at banks and credit unions should be able to work with you to create a loan that works for your circumstances.

See their picks for the best credit union personal loans >>

Taking out a dental loan means looking for a personal loan at a reasonable interest rate that you expect to be able to pay off over time. Collateral usually isn't required with these types of loans, but providers will evaluate your credit history and other factors when determining your qualifications as a borrower. 

Getting a personal loan can be preferable to options like provider financing plans because you aren't locked into spending the funds solely on dental work. For example, if a minor home repair comes up, you could theoretically use some of the personal loan for that versus only for dental procedures. 

"Since you can use funds from a personal loan to cover nearly any expense, most lenders don't differentiate medical loans from general personal loans," Tayne explains. 

Getting a dental loan is often no different from getting a personal loan, though some providers may offer benefits when the loan is for a medical reason. Here are some of the key factors to understand about dental loans:

There is a possibility that a lender would charge a different APR based on your reason for borrowing, while many have uniform rates for personal loans. That's why it's so important to shop around to compare your dental loan options.

A dental loan is a personal loan marketed for use to cover dental expenses. 

"Some lenders may differentiate or specialize in dental or medical loans, while others simply categorize them as personal loans," says John Owens, executive vice president of Monterey Financial.

A personal loan for dental expenses can be appealing due to the flexibility. Borrowers have the freedom to choose how to spend the proceeds. Of course, presumably you'll use all of the funds to pay for your root canal, crowns, or other dental services. 

Don't worry that you need to find a loan specifically for dental work. Even if a lender doesn't advertise dental work as a loan purpose, you'll likely be able to get a loan and use it to pay for whatever you want, as long as you meet the qualifications. 

Banks, credit unions, and online lenders all provide dental loans.

When researching your loan options, focus on the interest rates, terms, and maximum borrowing limits that lenders can provide. You might start with your current financial institution and find out what your personal loan options are. Some banks offer loans to people without an existing account, but others don't. Look into credit unions and online lenders as well. 

When you start shopping around for a dental loan, be prepared to get at least three options to compare. If you prequalify for a personal loan with multiple lender, you can find out the interest rates, repayment terms, and other details about the loans they might offer you without affecting your credit score. 

By reading customer reviews of providers, you can gain a sense of how the company works. You can also consider whether or not they offer in-person support. Choose your dental loan based on a combination of those factors and what matters most to you.

Quick tip: You can use an online loan marketplace like Credible or LendingTree to quickly compare offers from multiple lenders. 

A few of the larger dental loan providers include: 

A dental loan can mean the difference between enduring dental pain and getting relief, and the funds can go toward any type of dental expenses.

Here's an estimated range of costs for common dental services and procedures, according to CareCredit:

If you have dental insurance, you can use it for covered procedures. But if you've met your deductible or a procedure isn't covered, loans may be necessary. Dental care expenses can get into devastating totals and may stem from emergency circumstances. This is why dental loans and other financing options are so vital. 

If you need a dental loan, here are the typical steps to take:

1. Check your credit score

In order to qualify for a dental loan, as for any personal loan, your credit score is key in determining your eligibility. You can check your credit score for free through most credit card accounts, or check with one of the credit reporting agencies. 

2. Pull a credit report if anything looks off

If your credit score seems lower than expected, you may want to get a full credit report. This can show you all of the credit issued in your name, so you can ensure that there aren't any negative marks that don't belong there. 

3. Check whether your bank offers dental loans

Wherever you normally bank, see if you can get a personal loan or specific dental loan there and what rate you'd qualify for. Check other online and in-person lenders as well. Try to get information on whether you prequalify from your bank and other lenders before proceeding. 

4. Research cost of your dental work

Find out from your dentist or dental specialist what your likely total cost for dental procedures will be. This helps to determine the amount of your loan (you may want to add on another 15-25% in case of unexpectedly higher charges). 

5. Gather paperwork

For most personal loans like dental loans, you'll have to gather pay stubs, recent tax returns, rent or mortgage history, financial account documentation, and a photo ID. 

6. Get prequalified for several loans 

If possible, get prequalified by lenders you've chosen so your credit score won't be affected. This can help you see the likely rate and loan terms you'll receive if you're fully approved by that lender. 

7. Examine the terms of the loan

Look over the dental loan terms and make a plan for paying it back. Be sure to understand the interest rate and when payments will begin and end. Only accept the loan if it's a reasonable agreement.  

When you need dental work done, it can be tempting to put it off due to finances, but the issue could grow worse. Any loan has pros and cons to consider, so keep these factors in mind.

Taking out a dental loan isn't your only option when you're facing high dental bills. You might also consider putting it on one or more credit cards, checking with your provider about their in-house financing program, or using a medical credit card. 

Medical credit cards: These are credit cards specifically for medical purposes including dental work. However, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) warns consumers that these cards can actually increase financial stress due to high interest rates and frequently deferred interest payments. 

0% APR credit cards: If you're able to open a credit card with an introductory 0% APR, this can be a valid option fof dental financing as you won't be charged interest during the promotional period. However, be aware of when the rate will increase so you can transfer the balance to a new 0% card or pay it off. 

Dental provider financing: Your dentist may offer in-house financing for dental work. Depending on your provider, this can be a good option. However, always compare several options and don't default to the dental office's financing program unless it's the best.

Important: One of the most important parts of deciding how to finance dental work is the interest rate. Medical credit cards sometimes charge rates above those of consumer credit cards, the CFPB found. 

As Owens notes, the best choice of dental financing depends on your financial situation, loan terms, and your ability to repay. Do your due diligence to understand your loan terms and options before settling on a dental loan. 

Qualifying for a low-interest dental loan generally requires a good credit score and solid payment history. 

A credit history and proof of income will be needed in order to apply for a dental loan. Most dental loans are unsecured personal loans, so collateral isn't needed. 

Yes, the way you manage a dental loan will affect your credit score. The initial soft credit pull won't impact your credit, but if you make installment payments responsibly, your credit score will increase. Conversely, missed or late payments will result in a drop in your credit. 

Dental work costs can be astronomical, so dental loans are a bridge enabling you to get dental work done without breaking the bank. These personal loans often have flexible terms so that you spread this cost over years rather than paying all at once.

Kate Underwood

Kate Underwood