Cookie cutter physicians!

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HealingHands

HealingHands

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Heard from a birdy that things such as your physical appearance could be a potential reason you would or would not get into medical school??

I personally believe that this is possible...

Take obesity for instance, I think medical schools look for prime examples of future doctors...which are usually fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. I have yet to see a physician that is extremely overweight.

Any thoughts, comments...?
 
What happen if you have a thyroid problem? Adcom probably isn't comfortable asking that, nor would I want to divulge my medical history either. I would find that insulting.
 
Naw it's just more like human biases that are either innate or societal. For example there's proven bias against fat people in general in the United States, or bias for taller people in business, or ridiculously gorgeous women in everything. You should not be surprised if there's a similar bias towards medical admissions, not only in the interview but also things you wouldn't expect. For example, you might get lower grades because your professor is less sympathetic when you turn in an assignment late. Or preference for a research position. Etc.
 
Total bull**** if it does happen. We're children of the enlightenment for ****s sake. The entire philosophy of our country hinges on the rationalization that people should be judged by their ability to perform a task, not how good looking or fat or whatever other physical traits there may be. Saying it's human bias doesn't excuse it if it happens; we have executive functions for a reason.
 
Worry about your MCAT and GPA, not about your weight. The pretty girl with the 3.5/30 isn't getting in over the 400-pounder with a 3.8/34.

If both of them have the same stats and comparable ECs/Recs/Interview, then of course adcoms will take the pretty girl. But all things rarely are equal in life, so it's really just an academic exercise.
 
Loveless said:
Total bull**** if it does happen. We're children of the enlightenment for ****s sake. The entire philosophy of our country hinges on the rationalization that people should be judged by their ability to perform a task, not how good looking or fat or whatever other physical traits there may be. Saying it's human bias doesn't excuse it if it happens; we have executive functions for a reason.
Click to expand...

If only that was the way that things really did happen 😳

However, here was kind of a "reality TV show" a several years ago (I think on PBS) that followed several medical students around and if I remember correctly, they were all overweight.
 
I think it might be possible if you get someone who feels obesity is only a self control person, and if you yourself are quite obese. If a school rejects people because they are obese I wouldn't want to attend their anyway... In general I see nothing wrong with a physician who has a health issue (obesity or otherwise). That's like not trusting your derm since their skin is not perfect, your orthopedist since he also has knee issues, or your endocrinologist since he also has type 2 diabetes.

On you second point I have seen several extremely obese physicians and I'm in NY. It's a epidemic that affects everyone, physician or not.
 
HealingHands said:
Heard from a birdy that things such as your physical appearance could be a potential reason you would or would not get into medical school??

I personally believe that this is possible...

Take obesity for instance, I think medical schools look for prime examples of future doctors...which are usually fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. I have yet to see a physician that is extremely overweight.

Any thoughts, comments...?
Click to expand...

I suspect part of the reason the medical student population is thinner, fitter, and healthier than the general population of the same age is that the population in medical school has been selected for high educational achievement (probably reads more), type A personalities, and is, on average, in a better socioeconomic position than the general 20-30 year old population, not the fact that someone in a medical school wanted a skinny person.
 
HealingHands said:
Heard from a birdy that things such as your physical appearance could be a potential reason you would or would not get into medical school??

I personally believe that this is possible...

Take obesity for instance, I think medical schools look for prime examples of future doctors...which are usually fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. I have yet to see a physician that is extremely overweight.

Any thoughts, comments...?
Click to expand...

I have seen MANY
 
I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bias against obese candidates. The question is how common is it and how much will it hurt a fat applicant? IMO I don't think it would be as big of a deal as other issues, like being a male with long dyed hair, nose and lip piercings, or someone who comes into the interview wearing a t-shirt and ripped jeans with flip flops.
 
Depending on how long you have to go until you apply, you have ample time to lose the weight 😳

I do agree, though, that it is entirely unfair to judge people on appearances if it is something that can not be controlled or impacted in any way.
 
I wonder if they have a subconscious bias against those early 20's applicants who look boyish or very young.
 
I don't think there is a "real" bias, but I have heard of the halo effect. Meaning, when you walk into an interview dressed well, overall looking nice and physically fit, there may be a subconscious bias when they grade you.
 
HealingHands said:
Heard from a birdy that things such as your physical appearance could be a potential reason you would or would not get into medical school??
Click to expand...

I don't know if it's true but I had to go get my wisdom tooth removed a few weeks ago and that doctor was HOT, HOT, HOT! (And I'm a gay female, but he looked like Mark Harmon. No joke.)

There are all sorts to studies that show the innumerable benefits of being good looking…. Acceptance to med school wouldn't surprise me.
 
chenzt said:
What happen if you have a thyroid problem? Adcom probably isn't comfortable asking that, nor would I want to divulge my medical history either. I would find that insulting.
Click to expand...

Every flocking time somebody talks about being overweight. Every time.
 
Hey, if obesity is classified as a disease, as it might be according to the AMA, you have more to talk about 😉
 
TheShaker said:
I wonder if they have a subconscious bias against those early 20's applicants who look boyish or very young.
Click to expand...

I hope not... I'm almost 21, but when I shave, I look like a 14 year old... It also doesn't help that I'm only 5'6... :scared:
 
I kind of gained 15 lbs because of the MCAT... time to hit the gym before interviews... >.>
 
Arkangeloid said:
Worry about your MCAT and GPA, not about your weight. The pretty girl with the 3.5/30 isn't getting in over the 400-pounder with a 3.8/34.
.
Click to expand...

Timmy? Timmy wake up its time for school.
 
is it true that aesthetic people have it easier in life?




yep it is brah



same stats and everything else equal, a better looking candidate will win
 
TheShaker said:
I wonder if they have a subconscious bias against those early 20's applicants who look boyish or very young.
Click to expand...

You'll be fine. I could have passed for a high school senior and didn't get any strange looks.

26 now...and still look somewhat the same. Still get carded 🙁
 
U Wot M8 said:
is it true that aesthetic people have it easier in life?




yep it is brah



same stats and everything else equal, a better looking candidate will win
Click to expand...
That's why they ask for a photo as part of your application.
 
I have the opposite problem. I'm 20 but am often confused for 25 or hell, even 30 once! It makes me mad. I hope it doesn't count against me for interviews!
 
chenzt said:
What happen if you have a thyroid problem? Adcom probably isn't comfortable asking that, nor would I want to divulge my medical history either. I would find that insulting.
Click to expand...

I have a thyroid problem and was able to get to around 7% bodyfat. Bad excuse, plus treatment is readily available.
 
Very few people have legitimate excuses for being fat. I used to be chubby until I kicked my ass and quit eating candy and fast food every day. I'm not jacked right now, but I'm at a comfortable, "normal" level now.

Excuses are easy, work is hard.
 
HealingHands said:
Heard from a birdy that things such as your physical appearance could be a potential reason you would or would not get into medical school??

I personally believe that this is possible...

Take obesity for instance, I think medical schools look for prime examples of future doctors...which are usually fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. I have yet to see a physician that is extremely overweight.

Any thoughts, comments...?
Click to expand...

I've seen obese doctors, but........

someone who is willing to put forth the time and effort to get into medical school and become a doctor is likely also willing to put forth the minimal time and effort to take care of himself and watch his weight. Also people going to medical school probably realize the dangers of obesity and doctors likely know very well the nasty comorbidities.
 
Arkangeloid said:
Worry about your MCAT and GPA, not about your weight. The pretty girl with the 3.5/30 isn't getting in over the 400-pounder with a 3.8/34.

If both of them have the same stats and comparable ECs/Recs/Interview, then of course adcoms will take the pretty girl. But all things rarely are equal in life, so it's really just an academic exercise.
Click to expand...

Actually she might. The 400-pounder might have a heart attack in the middle of med school. And if he's so smart, why hasn't he gotten a lapband surgery yet?!
 
Radon XP said:
I have the opposite problem. I'm 20 but am often confused for 25 or hell, even 30 once! It makes me mad. I hope it doesn't count against me for interviews!
Click to expand...

Don't worry I had this same problem and it levels out eventually. You probably have an angular face like me...(or just dress and act old?)
 
Cookie cutter physician?

il_340x270.419959069_m5mf.jpg
 
HealingHands said:
Take obesity for instance, I think medical schools look for prime examples of future doctors...which are usually fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. I have yet to see a physician that is extremely overweight.
Click to expand...

You have a limited view of physicians, then. I know a number of overweight, even obese, physicians off the top of my head.

Considering that you only get a couple of interviewers at any given school, and your fate is determined by a committee, I don't put much stock in the fact that appearance makes a difference. Yes, how you present yourself does... if you show up in basketball shorts instead of a suit, it will hurt your application, but beyond that... I don't buy it.
 
"Well, I don't think we should take candidate X on. He's fat." - said nobody ever.
 
To some extent, being extremely overweight could impede your ability to perform your job.
 
HealingHands said:
Heard from a birdy that things such as your physical appearance could be a potential reason you would or would not get into medical school??

I personally believe that this is possible...

Take obesity for instance, I think medical schools look for prime examples of future doctors...which are usually fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. I have yet to see a physician that is extremely overweight.

Any thoughts, comments...?
Click to expand...

If they're fat/overweight it's probably because of a low fat diet. Med schools will love you because that's what they teach.
 
Doudline said:
A very thorough scientific inquiry you've got here.
Click to expand...

You're right, I'll do a scientific study to show that you can get perscription thyroxine. Keep your eye on nature, it's getting published there soon!
 
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