About
About The Hag Doctor® and its subprojects.
Hey, I'm Lo!
(she/they)
I'm a goth naturopathic doctoral student out of Seattle, WA with overlapping roots in the alternative/goth, queer, activist, and spiritual communities I call home.
In 2023, I created The Hag Doctor® as a multifaceted social media project. Focused on transforming the narrative around professionalism in healthcare and higher education, the project and its subprojects center alternative subculture representation and advocacy.
Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship
The Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship seeks to support and affirm alternative students who are pursuing higher education in STEM fields.
A Vision for STEM
The Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship seeks to support and affirm alternative students pursuing higher education in STEM. This scholarship is founded on the belief that STEM fields are stronger, more innovative, and more compassionate when they reflect the full spectrum of human culture and community.
The Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship aims
not only to reduce financial barriers, but also to stand as a visible affirmation—
that alternative students and professionals bring value to their fields,
that their presence is a force for change,
and that the future of STEM is brighter with them in it.
Scholarship FAQs
When will scholarship applications open?
The goal is to be completely funded and open for applications by January 2026.
Once fundraising is complete and applications are open, information will be available here at thehagdoctor.com. Join our email list below or follow @thehagdoctor on Instagram to receive updates.
Who can apply for the scholarship?
Any undergraduate or graduate student pursuing STEM—including healthcare or mortuary sciences—who identifies as generally alternative or as part of an alternative subculture (including but not limited to: goth, punk, metal, emo, body-mod, occult etc.), and expresses that identity through their presentation (e.g., tattoos, piercings, alternative dress, etc.) is welcome to apply.
Applicants should also be prepared to reflect meaningfully on how their identity and expression have shaped their journey in STEM, any challenges they've overcome, and the role they envision for themselves in the future of their field.
Is the scholarship open to international students?
International students enrolled at U.S. educational institutions and studying domestically or abroad are eligible to apply. Unfortunately, students studying at institutions outside of the U.S. are not eligible at this time.
How much is the scholarship for? How is the scholarship funded?
The Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship's minimum award goal is $1,500 with 3 recipients ($500 per recipient), however, if fundraising surpasses the goal the award amount per recipient and/or number of recipients will be increased accordingly.
The scholarship will be funded completely through fundraising efforts like Goths Belong in STEM merchandise or through direct donation to Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship Fundraiser hosted on the Bold Foundation website.
Who is Bold Foundation and how are they involved?
The Bold Foundation, Inc. (“Bold Foundation” or “Bold.org”) (EIN: 84-2719715) is a Colorado nonprofit corporation and is classified as a private foundation. The mission of Bold Foundation is to help reduce the cost of education and academic research through scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other financial benefits to students; every dollar fundraised through Bold goes directly to student scholarships. Learn more.
The Goths Belong in STEM scholarship's fundraising, application process, and fund distribution is hosted by Bold Foundation and overseen by creator of The Hag Doctor Project, Lo Carter.
What types of expenses can the Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship cover?
The scholarship can cover tuition, student loans, or other educational expenses that enhance a recipient's academic growth.
How will applicants be evaluated?
The Bold Foundation's Scholarship Evaluation Specialists will review each application to ensure alignment with The Goths Belong in STEM Scholarship's listed criteria. Applications will undergo a multi-point assessment, scoring various aspects of the applicants' profile and goals related to the scholarship's purpose. Bold Foundation also evaluates the essays received for originality, checking for AI usage and plagiarism to maintain fairness and authenticity.
Final recipient decisions will be made by a panel of alternative STEM students/professionals in collaboration with Bold Foundation's donor team.