Bad secondary photo

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crgirl

Ok, I need to hear from some people (please don't be harsh...)
I am in that super-insecure phase where I review all the mistakes I made. One thing I feel really stupid about is my secondary photo. I was just not smart and put in some casual, non-professional pictures. I wish I was more attentive to detail in this respect, but I guess I did not believe it was a huge deal until I read more about secondaries. Can someone please offer some insight? Is the photo a make or break?
Thanks.
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Not a make or break. Adcoms would rather something professional like a dress shirt or a formal top. But every secondary I completed (25+) they asked for a passport size picture which barely shows what you're wearing. So to answer your question can it be viewed negatively on you ?? Yes.
Will this make or break your app ? NO
If everything else is solid you should be fine. no one will throw away your application because of this but it can plant basis in peoples head about your professionalism/maturity.
 
May I ask what exactly you were wearing? T-shirt?
 
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Which dress are you wearing right now?
 
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Chelsea FC said:
Not a make or break. Adcoms would rather something professional like a dress shirt or a formal top. But every secondary I completed (25+) they asked for a passport size picture which barely shows what you're wearing. So to answer your question can it be viewed negatively on you ?? Yes.
Will this make or break your app ? NO
If everything else is solid you should be fine. no one will throw away your application because of this but it can plant basis in peoples head about your professionalism/maturity.
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Thanks for that... I appreciate your honesty and comforting words! I THINK my app looks good elsewhere, so hopefully this doesn't really screw me over.
 
At my first interview they had a big poster board with all of our pics we sent. It seemed like most people were pretty casual with theirs (a lot of them looked like they just downloaded a random selfie from Facebook or something)


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I don't think it's make or break. Sure, it's better to dress more conservatively since you don't know who would be looking at your app. But I think as long as you aren't holding a shot glass looking semi-drunk I don't think it will be detrimental. Does it affect adcoms' first impression? Absolutely.
 
Doggo said:
At my first interview they had a big poster board with all of our pics we sent. It seemed like most people were pretty casual with theirs (a lot of them looked like they just downloaded a random selfie from Facebook or something)


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rolliespring said:
I don't think it's make or break. Sure, it's better to dress more conservatively since you don't know who would be looking at your app. But I think as long as you aren't holding a shot glass looking semi-drunk I don't think it will be detrimental. Does it affect adcoms' first impression? Absolutely.
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So glad there are so many supportive people on here! totally agree...not a great first impression. Hopefully they see beyond that. Again, thanks so so much. Y'all are good people :)
 
I think as long as you don't give any serial killer or "will likely be actively drunk while performing surgery" vibes you should be fine.


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*A spotlight appears center stage and reveals Doc.gif, poised and sullen*

Doc.gif: They blew it. Can you imagine that? Just a picture, that was all, and they blew it.

*A crescent moon comes down from the flyspace. It holds the rest of the SDN members, who make up the chorus. They sing*

Chorus: They blew it! Just a picture oh my! They blew it. Will be an acupuncturist oh my!
 
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Where, oh where is the wise @gyngyn when you need him????

crgirl said:
Ok, I need to hear from some people (please don't be harsh...)
I am in that super-insecure phase where I review all the mistakes I made. One thing I feel really stupid about is my secondary photo. I was just not smart and put in some casual, non-professional pictures. I wish I was more attentive to detail in this respect, but I guess I did not believe it was a huge deal until I read more about secondaries. Can someone please offer some insight? Is the photo a make or break?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
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gyngyn said:
Was it a selfie while driving?
Underwater in scuba gear?
Taken in a bathroom with the shower curtain as a backdrop?
Wedding photo?
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Wait, would a wedding photo really be as bad as the other 3?
 
rolliespring said:
I don't think it's make or break. Sure, it's better to dress more conservatively since you don't know who would be looking at your app. But I think as long as you aren't holding a shot glass looking semi-drunk I don't think it will be detrimental. Does it affect adcoms' first impression? Absolutely.
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What, would he balance a shot glass on top of his head?
 
did selfie with kissy lips. Will update on results
 
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Huggy said:
Selfie crew checking in. Wore a nice shirt with a red brick wall as the back drop.

Actually went to CVS and paid to get a passport photo - picture could not have been sketchier. Chose the selfie in the end
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I like you. Selfie crew pride
 
If you're good looking I'm sure no one will care.
 
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crgirl said:
Ok, I need to hear from some people (please don't be harsh...)
I am in that super-insecure phase where I review all the mistakes I made. One thing I feel really stupid about is my secondary photo. I was just not smart and put in some casual, non-professional pictures. I wish I was more attentive to detail in this respect, but I guess I did not believe it was a huge deal until I read more about secondaries. Can someone please offer some insight? Is the photo a make or break?
Thanks.
Click to expand...


You're not showing cleavage are you?
 
You're screwed, would recommend looking into podiatry programs or something.
 
I sent in a pic of me at a wedding with a pretty large beard. I'm coming in with a clean shave. Always keep them on their toes.
 
From ADCOMS at Utsw, I heard that it's a big deal. But that was only two from the twenty that openly make a big deal about the photo.
 
Jordan95 said:
You're screwed, would recommend looking into podiatry programs or something.
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That's a good question actually. I have heard from certain adcoms that it may be a big deal. Trying not to give myself away but it is a big deal to some....but not most of course
 
@crgirl I think at this point you should just post the picture on here (for research purposes, of course).
 
crgirl said:
Ok, I need to hear from some people (please don't be harsh...)
I am in that super-insecure phase where I review all the mistakes I made. One thing I feel really stupid about is my secondary photo. I was just not smart and put in some casual, non-professional pictures. I wish I was more attentive to detail in this respect, but I guess I did not believe it was a huge deal until I read more about secondaries. Can someone please offer some insight? Is the photo a make or break?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
i sent a photo of myself with a tshirt on a boat to all my schools. already got interviews from usc, ucsd, and irvine, so i'm thinking it's not a break at the least :) don't overthink it too much, they understand that you're a person and that you probably don't wear dress clothing every day
 
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