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As we seek to increase diversity, we need to insure that we are being inclusive.
Diversity â Inclusion
A thread about a med school diversity open house.
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Diversity â Inclusion
A thread about a med school diversity open house.
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As a pre-med, I was eligible for accommodations and was enrolled with my college's Office for Accessibility.
My dream med school shared an invite for their diversity open house with the Office of Accessibility and the office shared the invite with me.
I was SO excited!
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My dream med school shared an invite for their diversity open house with the Office of Accessibility and the office shared the invite with me.
I was SO excited!
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The invite included students with disabilities/needing accommodations in their definition of diversity.
I didn't have a suit to wear, but I pulled together a business casual outfit--a red sweater, white button-up shirt, and black slacks.
I felt very professional.
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I didn't have a suit to wear, but I pulled together a business casual outfit--a red sweater, white button-up shirt, and black slacks.
I felt very professional.
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I was so excited to attend the open house, to tour the school. I felt welcomed and included.
I could absolutely imagine myself there as a student.
Hearing about the diverse and inclusive environment they fostered made me want to attend even more.
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I could absolutely imagine myself there as a student.
Hearing about the diverse and inclusive environment they fostered made me want to attend even more.
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I was the only student who wasn't visibly diverse. I worried about standing out, but reminded myself that the invitation included students who needed accommodations.
At lunch the Dean of Admissions approached my table and introduced herself to everyone.
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At lunch the Dean of Admissions approached my table and introduced herself to everyone.
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When she got to me, she said, "And why are you here?"
I was consumed by shame. I wanted to disappear.
I looked around. It seemed like I was the only student there because of a disability. I didn't want to disclose my disability in public, in front of peers, over lunch.
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I was consumed by shame. I wanted to disappear.
I looked around. It seemed like I was the only student there because of a disability. I didn't want to disclose my disability in public, in front of peers, over lunch.
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I felt sick. I stopped eating.
I tried to think of other reasons I could offer.
I told her that I was the first in my family to apply to medical school (true), that I grew up in a medically underserved area (true), and that I was low SES (true).
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I tried to think of other reasons I could offer.
I told her that I was the first in my family to apply to medical school (true), that I grew up in a medically underserved area (true), and that I was low SES (true).
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I was willing to tell her. I wasn't trying to hide how I received the invite. I just didn't want to say it in front of other people.
Stigma is so real and so powerful.
I wanted to fit in and be accepted.
I didn't know what else to say.
I could see she was disappointed.
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Stigma is so real and so powerful.
I wanted to fit in and be accepted.
I didn't know what else to say.
I could see she was disappointed.
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I don't remember the afternoon sessions.
I imagined that the welcoming faculty of the school saw me as entitled and dishonest. I feared they thought I was taking unfair advantage of an opportunity for diverse students.
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I imagined that the welcoming faculty of the school saw me as entitled and dishonest. I feared they thought I was taking unfair advantage of an opportunity for diverse students.
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I was also worried about prematurely disclosing my need for accommodations--would that hurt my application? Would they give me time to explain in this setting if I tried?
I was too afraid to try.
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I was too afraid to try.
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Students overheard the question from the Dean at lunch, so for the rest of the day, they also asked me why I was there.
I felt so much shame about my disability, and now my seeming dishonesty, that I couldn't respond.
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I felt so much shame about my disability, and now my seeming dishonesty, that I couldn't respond.
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I was waitlisted at that school every time I applied (re-applicant here).
To this day, 10 years later, I still fear that they think I lied or lacked integrity.
I am also more cautious about joining diverse spaces. I don't want to take up space in groups not meant for me.
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To this day, 10 years later, I still fear that they think I lied or lacked integrity.
I am also more cautious about joining diverse spaces. I don't want to take up space in groups not meant for me.
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I am seeing a push for diversity and inclusion efforts (important and needed).
Our efforts must be thoughtful and intentional.
A diversity open house doesn't mean a supportive environment has been created.
We need to create supportive environments.
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Our efforts must be thoughtful and intentional.
A diversity open house doesn't mean a supportive environment has been created.
We need to create supportive environments.
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We need to attend to these supportive environments and maintain them with intention.
So that when we open our doors, the foundation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is solid and secure; and permeates throughout the organization.
/Fin
So that when we open our doors, the foundation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is solid and secure; and permeates throughout the organization.
/Fin
