Clearly in freak out mode

[runningmom]

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I'm just hoping someone else is doing the same thing. TMDSAS requires a 2x2 (or 2x3 depending on which page you look at) pic for each school you are applying to. This requirement is about to turn me into a quivering mass of jelly.

I've taken - oh I don't know - 100 pics in the last three days trying to get something that doesn't make me look old, tired, and slightly weepy. Of course, since I'm over 30, have two children, am 7 mo PG, and my hubby is deployed - I guess I'm just taking an accurate pic!

So, did anyone else freak on the pic? Am I the only one taking this thing way too seriously?

 

[prana_md]

took me days
post-bacc and the MCAT added 30 pounds, the camera did not need to add 10 more!
first I went to a photo place and got passport photos
$15 later and I knew I needed more advanced technology
thank goodness for digital cameras
at least with photoshop, those weird dark circles under my eyes were gone
then I changed clothes a dozen times
that four square inches has had more attention than any other part of my application!

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Hehehe... boy, does this bring back memories. I had to have photographs that would roughly match the way I would look at interviews. I've worn a mustache for 22 years and a VanDyke beard for at least 5... clean, neat, and perfectly appropriate for work but that wasn't the look I wanted for interviews so I couldn't use any of the photographs that I had on hand. I had to shave my beard and my mustache off and put my hair into this 1950s conservative part-on-the-side look - then run down to MotoPhoto for (expensive!) passport photographs. I've never taken photographs that I despised more - I looked fat (night classes and Kaplan have added 20 pounds or so to me, too) and definitely way over 40 (of course, I *am* over 40, but I don't try to encourage looking like it). The day my acceptance letter came, I stopped shaving so that everything would grow back. Don't worry if you look a little geeky in your pics - I think that's the appropriate look for interviews, and it's just part of the game!

 

[Tribeca]

I've worn a mustache for 22 years and a VanDyke beard for at least 5...

For some reason, this how I'd imagine you to be... weird, i know, but it just sounds like you (I'm a lurker and have been following your posts, especially about the financial stuff.) 🙂

 

[njbmd]

I'm just hoping someone else is doing the same thing. TMDSAS requires a 2x2 (or 2x3 depending on which page you look at) pic for each school you are applying to. This requirement is about to turn me into a quivering mass of jelly.

I've taken - oh I don't know - 100 pics in the last three days trying to get something that doesn't make me look old, tired, and slightly weepy. Of course, since I'm over 30, have two children, am 7 mo PG, and my hubby is deployed - I guess I'm just taking an accurate pic!

So, did anyone else freak on the pic? Am I the only one taking this thing way too seriously?

Hi there,
Go to a professional photographer, dress professionally (wear light make-up) and have some professional photographs taken. If you use the "Instant Passport" type services(or a buddy with a digital camera), you are going to spend less money and look worse because it is difficult to control quality here.

Once you look at your professional proofs, pick one that you like and keep it for residency applications and license applications too. The professional route takes more time and money but the results are clearly worth the extra effort.

There is a good reason why "it's time to come home from vacation when you start to look like your passport picture". 😀

njbmd 🙂

 

[Poety]

Hi there,
Go to a professional photographer, dress professionally (wear light make-up) and have some professional photographs taken. If you use the "Instant Passport" type services(or a buddy with a digital camera), you are going to spend less money and look worse because it is difficult to control quality here.

Once you look at your professional proofs, pick one that you like and keep it for residency applications and license applications too. The professional route takes more time and money but the results are clearly worth the extra effort.

There is a good reason why "it's time to come home from vacation when you start to look like your passport picture". 😀

njbmd 🙂

Oh NJ, now you KNOW we all look about 30 lbs heavier when applyign to residency 😉

Also for residency, did your school give you the graduation pictures for the residency apps? Mine did so that should be an option then (professioinally done)

 

[MiesVanDerMom]

Oh my, 7 months pregnant? That's so cruel for them to ask a 7 month pregnant mama for a photo! I'm not sure I could have done anything to hide the puff of pregnancy at that point! Maybe you could get someone to doctor the photos for you. I bet that's what celebrities do.... I guess, just keep trying til you get one you like. Or, opt for the Demi Moore approach and paint clothing onto your preggo body and send in a risque shot. It would definately make you stand out in the applicant pool 😛 Best of luck with the pic and with upcoming arrival! 🙂

 

[ShyRem]

Go to a professional makeup artist. (If you want a cheaper option, even try the makeup counters at a *good* department store.) A good makeup artist can do FABULOUS things for your face. And, having been pregnant myself twice, I can absolutely say that being pregnant does weird things to your face, skin, hair, etc. Get a professional to help you out - a fresh eye is a wonderful thing.

 

[njbmd]

Oh NJ, now you KNOW we all look about 30 lbs heavier when applyign to residency 😉

Also for residency, did your school give you the graduation pictures for the residency apps? Mine did so that should be an option then (professioinally done)

Hi there,
My school did the "professional photo" for graduation but I had the same problems as with the "passport" photo service. We took our senior photos on the hottest, most humid day in late spring during our junior year. I was post call from OB-Gyn and looked like "death warmed over" even though I wore a suit and put on some make-up.

My Dean let me substitute my professionally done photo for my senior photo. I used the same photo for my residency application. No only did I put on 80 pounds in medical school but my hair turned grey too. (Did I mention that medical school was stressful?)

Now during residency, I am pumping iron and dying my gray hair. Four years of general surgery residency have been less stressful for me than four years of medical school. There is just something about loving what you do to get rid of some of the stress.

njbmd 😎

 

[runningmom]

Well, I finally got one that will work. Actually I managed a couple of decent ones yesterday.

I will definitely get professional shots done next time (I'm hoping by "next time" I mean residency apps and NOT re-app next year!) around. But given that I have literally *NO* time these days during the work day (I'm either at the clinic or have no child care) and I don't know of any professionals that would be willing to come to my house while the children are sleeping to take my pics, the DIY version will have to suffice.

Not to mention that none of my "business attire" actually fits over my belly so I am carefully cropping the open gap out of all my pics. Yes, pregnancy and pictures are a cruel cruel mix. 😉

 

[NY Musicologist]

I've taken - oh I don't know - 100 pics in the last three days trying to get something that doesn't make me look old, tired, and slightly weepy. Of course, since I'm over 30, have two children, am 7 mo PG, and my hubby is deployed - I guess I'm just taking an accurate pic!

I had to do this a few days after having had my wisdom teeth out--the swelling had gone down, but one side of my face was bruised. I turned my face slightly away from the camera so the bruise wouldn't show so much--not a full profile, just a gentle turn so that, rather than looking right at the camera, you're looking over the photographer's shoulder. (The gaze also needs to follow that angle--if you have your head turned but your eyes are looking directly at the camera, you'll look shifty.) Some people might argue that the indirect gaze looks less honest or less assertive, but if it's what helps you relax the most in front of the camera, go for it.

Raise your chin just slightly to minimize any double-chin effect.

Have the photographer be at your level or slightly above you pointing down, not below your level and pointing up.

In any case, don't worry--I'm sure there are MANY people who put no effort whatsoever into the photo (and they're probably not all naturally photogenic!)