Being called "reserved" and "quiet" in recommendation letters

[virtuoso735]

So I have had the chance to read two of my recommendation letters, and they both each had a few words about how I am reserved or quiet. It's really just a few words and they don't focus on it (the rest of the letters are positive), but I was wondering if this would have a negative impact on my application? I do admit I'm introverted, and I'm not too big on small talk, so I may come across as reserved. I tend to be quiet, but I'm also polite and respectful in all my interactions with people. I'm just wondering if this is a bad trait for a doctor to have, and should I reconsider my career choice if it's going to present me with difficulties down the road? And what will adcoms think when they read about this in the letters?

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[Charles Darwin]

Most physicians are introverts. It's not going to matter that much. How you act in an interview setting is far more important, imo.

 

[Ravizzle]

Not a huge problem. But if you want to work on it, i suggest taking some public speaking and group communication classes.

Sent from my Galaxy S2 via tapatalk

 

[Catalystik]

So I have had the chance to read two of my recommendation letters, and they both each had a few words about how I am reserved or quiet. It's really just a few words and they don't focus on it (the rest of the letters are positive), but I was wondering if this would have a negative impact on my application? I do admit I'm introverted, and I'm not too big on small talk, so I may come across as reserved. I tend to be quiet, but I'm also polite and respectful in all my interactions with people. I'm just wondering if this is a bad trait for a doctor to have, and should I reconsider my career choice if it's going to present me with difficulties down the road? And what will adcoms think when they read about this in the letters?

When I read "reserved" or "quiet", I interpret it to mean: calm, thoughtful, respectful, mature, dignified, probably because I'm an introspective sort and think this is a good thing. But I've learned that some adcomms interpret those words in a less-positive light, preferring to read: interactive, social, contributes positively. So maybe the interpretation depends on the reader's nature. If Charles Darwin is correct, then the odds are in your favor.

[I liked the other fish avatar better.]

 

[von Matterhorn]

I think most will agree it's better to be quiet and careful about what you say than to speak without thought to fill space.

 

[MedPR]

How did you work up the courage to read your LORs? A teacher sent me a copy today and I'm very nervous to read it. I have no doubt that it has only good things, but I'm worried that it isn't in the "proper" format for med schools.

For example, these things are supposed to be organized in the following way, right?

Paragraph 1: Description of me
Paragraph 2: Experiences/interactions with me
Paragraph 3: Why I am a good fit for medicine

Or is it really just important that it discusses good/positive qualities?

 

[virtuoso735]

I'm pretty sure there is no set template for medical school recommendations, although it is probably better that they are organized in some coherent way. I felt comfortable reading them because they were given to me to be read, so I assumed that there wasn't anything too negative in them.

 

[mapandterritory]

Don't worry about it too much, it probably won't be seen as a negative thing. You said they didn't dwell on it. Besides, you don't have to be very outgoing to handle social situations well. I tend to be pretty introverted, but I got over my fear of public speaking a few years ago. Someone already suggested it. There's always Toastmasters or public speaking classes.

 

[MedPR]

I'm pretty sure there is no set template for medical school recommendations, although it is probably better that they are organized in some coherent way. I felt comfortable reading them because they were given to me to be read, so I assumed that there wasn't anything too negative in them.

Well I hope you're right. I went ahead and read it and I am very happy with how the teacher views me and what they had to say.

More on topic: I agree with Catalystik 100%. I'm a pretty quiet person and I've had people interpret me in the way Catalystik described and also as being stuck up or unfriendly. I plan to disprove the assumption of quiet=unfriendly during interviews though.

 

[Disinence2]

As a total introvert in a field stereotypically filled by extroverts, let me assure you a certain personality trait will have no effect on your success in your career.

As long as u have reasonable social skills, and the ability to communicate with people of different background you'll be fine.

"Quite" has been included in most of my evaluations throughout my life, I don't consider it a negative.

 

[Stumpyman]

Better than shy and timid. I don't think it sounds bad at all.

 

[Charles Darwin]

As a total introvertin a field stereotypically filled by extroverts, let me assure you a certain personality trait will have no effect on your success in your career.

As long as u have reasonable social skills, and the ability to communicate with people of different background you'll be fine.

"Quite" has been included in most of my evaluations throughout my life, I don't consider it a negative.

Is this really the case though?

 

[MedPR]

Is this really the case though?

I've always thought EM/Surgery were mostly extroverts. Not medicine as a whole though.

 

[huihui]

How did you get the chance to read the letter? Did you ask for it or the writers offered?

 

[Ismet]

OP, I think you'll be perfectly fine. Whenever my interviewers asked what I would consider to be my main flaw or weakness, I said that I am typically reserved and introverted unless I'm with people I know well or the situation calls for speaking up. The interviewers seemed to like my response, some of them even joked that they didn't believe me, as I apparently carried myself well in the interviews. As long as you're not completely asocial and can be personable and communicate effectively when required, it's not a negative to be reserved.

 

[Neuralbunny]

I have a friend who had almost this exact thing written about her--she still got interviews, but was not accepted at most of the places she interviewed at--one interviewer told her she didn't seem enthusiastic. So although I'd say it's definitely not a problem, and might be a complete non-issue for a lot of adcoms like Catalystik suggested, show in your interviews that even though you might not be effusive, you are definitely still extremely invested in going to medical school. And I think you'll be golden! 🙂

 

[jesse120]

excellent book on this topic that'll help you appreciate and embrace your introversion. It's certainly not a bad thing 😉

http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking/dp/0307352145

 

[thlaxer]

Similar experience as Ismet, either my committee letter or LORs said that I can be quiet and shy. An interviewer told me that when I said my biggest weakness is shyness. They didn't believe it though because I appeared quite outgoing during the interview day 😛. The key is to show that you can keep up a conversation without being overly shy. There were a few interviews where my shyness got the best of me and I (unsurprisingly) ended up on their waitlists. So be prepared to open up about yourself. For me at least I found that being slightly shameless helped.

 

[virtuoso735]

I think I should be okay as far as interviews go as long as I practice. I can carry on conversations on topics that interest me and when I have to, but I'm not really too keen on small talk unless I'm with my friends or people I know well. Thanks for the reassurance that being reserved or quiet isn't necessarily a bad thing.

 

[armybound]

I think I should be okay as far as interviews go as long as I practice. I can carry on conversations on topics that interest me and when I have to, but I'm not really too keen on small talk unless I'm with my friends or people I know well. Thanks for the reassurance that being reserved or quiet isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I'm the same way. I am usually more of a listener than a talker when in groups, but when someone seems genuinely interested in hearing me talk about something I'm interested in, it's hard to get me to shut up. Fortunately with patients the experience is usually very good, as we have something important to talk about and conversation tends to flow.

You just have to find a way to portray to your team (in 3rd year) that you're just quiet and not uninterested. I've had this issue a couple of times.

 

[NickNaylor]

I think I should be okay as far as interviews go as long as I practice. I can carry on conversations on topics that interest me and when I have to, but I'm not really too keen on small talk unless I'm with my friends or people I know well. Thanks for the reassurance that being reserved or quiet isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I also operate the same way. As long you don't come across as weirdo in your interviews it won't matter. If you're able to hold a conversation without making the other person feel weird, you'll be fine. Fake the small talk for your interviews and once you get in you won't have to worry about it.

 

[gettheleadout]

Most physicians are introverts. It's not going to matter that much. How you act in an interview setting is far more important, imo.

O rly?

 

[CodeBlu]

Most physicians are introverts. It's not going to matter that much. How you act in an interview setting is far more important, imo.

I'm gonna disagree here. I know a few introverted physicians. However, my personal observation is that there are more extraverted physicians. Introverts shy away from primary care/EM/surgery and tend to go into technology specialties like radiology, radonc, med biochem, pathology etc.

 

[Myuu]

O rly?

Actually, that'd be a huge problem here. Most of our work in the first two years is group work. Quiet people who don't say much are, uh, not favored.

 

[realmeaning]

I think most will agree it's better to be quiet and careful about what you say than to speak without thought to fill space.

Agreed.

Being introverted does NOT equal being socially awkward. Furthermore, as long as your quietness isn't symptomatic of intense social anxiety that would negatively affect your work and patient relationships in the future, your quietness will have zero impact on how good of a doctor you are.

I'm introverted as well. Does it sometimes suck when you're trying to network, impress people, and make connections? Yes. Sometimes I wish I were louder or bubblier to make an impression. However, on the other hand, people are quick to trust me and I'm told I'm dependable and "solid"-- two qualities that are also invaluable to professional success.

 

[nemo123]

Interesting how I got different responses when I asked a similar question...

 

[drizzt3117]

I'm gonna disagree here. I know a few introverted physicians. However, my personal observation is that there are more extraverted physicians. Introverts shy away from primary care/EM/surgery and tend to go into technology specialties like radiology, radonc, med biochem, pathology etc.

I think it's more psych and path for introverts but most introverted people go the phd route in my experience; the majority of people in medicine are type-a extroverts. I actually think most people in rads are very social but if you think about it, you spend a huge portion of your day talking to other physicians. In our teaching hospital rads ran the IM b-ball teams and the NCAA tourney brackets because they saw everyone every day.

 

[theseeker4]

Interesting how I got different responses when I asked a similar question...

Probably the key word "unanswering" in your post.

 

[semicharmed]

Great video on the "power of introverts." Maybe you can find a clue on how to respond to potential interview questions on the LORs by watching.

http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html

 

[realmeaning]

Great video on the "power of introverts." Maybe you can find a clue on how to respond to potential interview questions on the LORs by watching.

http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html

+1 Loved this.

 

[nysegop]

From my experiences shadowing, I've noticed that some physicians are introverted, while others are extroverted. There is a vast diversity. The ones that are introverted aren't socially awkward, they just don't feel the need to blather on about inconsequential minutia. As a patient I like my doctors to be in the middle of the road, I don't like the ramblers or the quiet ones.

 

[survivordo]

As another person who is often called "quiet" I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about, I would much prefer to work with someone like you than someone who constantly feels the need to express their opinion!! The only place this may hold you back is during interviews, make sure you can turn on the BS when appropriate!

Survivor DO

 

[nysegop]

As another person who is often called "quiet" I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about, I would much prefer to work with someone like you than someone who constantly feels the need to express their opinion!! The only place this may hold you back is during interviews, make sure you can turn on the BS when appropriate!

Survivor DO

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