Do you look like a typical medical/pre med student?

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LebLlama

LebLlama

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Whenever I tell people Im pre-med and applying to medical schools this summer, they always seemed so surprised that I'm even capable of such a thing. I'm thinking its because of the way I look. I work out regularly, have a pretty good physique, have facial scars, shave my head, and I guess I look rough/scruffy/angry all the time. I guess people assume I am a mechanic, plumber, or in and out of prison or something. I couldnt be farther from that, and Im a complete and utter science nerd.

Its so annoying, especially when people dont take me seriously about going into medicine and dont think its possible for me based soley on my looks. Kind of like a nerdy looking fellow who knows a lot about weight lifting, but no one in the gym will give him respect based soley on his appearence.

Im worried about the impression Id make in an interview because of this too. Subconsciously we judge everyone on their looks. I feel I may be disadvantaged for not looking like the typical applicant. Im wondering if I should wear my glasses that day and even grow my hair out before hand to comb to the side or something to increase my nerd appeal.

Can anyone relate?
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Nah. Long hair and a pedophile moustache right now 😉

Um... don't increase your "nerd" appeal, but it might be a good idea to grow your hair out because shaved heads do have a certain stigma.
 
Pre-meds are a pretty diverse group, and adcoms like to see well rounded people. I think the "typical [successful] pre-med" is very different from the stereotypical pre-med.
 
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I am in a wheelchair. I have a hard enough time evading attempts to push me around the mall. Explaining that I'm applying to med school is a distant second. :laugh:
 
Hahaha, ya grow out ur hair and u'll be fine. As for me, I used to be sporty, and nerdy at the same time. Now tho, just got out of a lonnnnnnnnggggg term relationship and since I didn't care how I looked, my nerd side won big time, soooo ya I look like a huge nerd now but getting back in shape.

Besides, why worry so much? most med students I see look like just normal ppl, maybe a bit pale from all the hrs spend indoors studying, but most of the guys are def. fit and pass off more as jocks than nerds lol.
 
Guilty.

I'm pretty preppy, although I look good doing it.
 
All the premeds I've met look very different. I've gotten a few comments about how I don't look "hardcore" enough to be premed, whatever the heck that means. I think it's cause sometimes I doze off during my morning classes.

One of my older friends who is really gorgeous had people telling her she looks more like the nursing type than a premed, which is pretty dumb on so many levels. She did eventually switch into nursing, but the point is that people assume a lot of things so who cares?
 
look like i stepped out of a polo mag, but that's me.


i stopped telling people i was pre med so they stopped reacting
 
Frazier said:
They must not have been that dumb [with their assumptions] after all... :laugh:
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Haha, I never thought of it that way. It's just kind of insulting, I guess, and sometimes I do think their comments got to her.
 
I'm Dr. Awesome and if you must know I look like this. . .

pimp(1).jpg
 
I laughed looking at the Facebook pages of accepted applicants to the medical school I'll be attending next year. I'd say at least a third of the girls could probably model if they wanted to, and very, very few of them look like "complete and utter science nerds" (in fact, nearly half the class has some sort of alcohol-related or partying picture as their profile pic).

As for myself, anybody who has spent any time in actual conversation with me isn't surprised I'm pre-med, but I often have random people asking me if I'm going to be a teacher or enter into some other "traditionally feminine" occupation. My favorite was a guy who, overhearing a conversation I had with a professor about med school interviews, asked if I was a liberal studies major. When I responded that I was entering medical school, he very patronizingly told me, "Oh, ok. That's nice! My mother and sister-in-law are both nurses!"
 
I definitely do not look like the "stereotypical" pre-med. I am a promotion model for a beer company so our "look" is everything. People automatically assume I am some ditzy blonde majoring in Comm Arts and looking for my Mrs. degree. When I explain that I am a neurobiology major, the look on their face is priceless. Oh well, I've always been one to defy stereotypes.
 
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nintendo-nerd-king.jpg


I guess you could call this a part of my glory days. Sometimes I can't even believe I'm this much of a baller.
 
Love the above pictures! Haha!

I'm in my avatar. I'm kindof geeky, I guess haha!
 
My professors are never surprised...usually just kids my age are surprised, mostly because i have tattoos on my arms. I'm a peer tutor, so if i have to reach to get something my sleeve slips a little they see the beginning of my tat and their like wow, you have a tattoo?!?!
When hopefully ( :xf:) i get to the stage of interviews, and working, long sleeves will be my friend. I like my tattoos very much, i just feel that the majority of the general public would agree that tattoos aren't very professional looking.
 
They definitely like to see a wide variety of people. My girlfriend wore her nose ring (a stud) to all of her interviews and has been accepted to 6 schools.
 
mdbound1987 said:
They definitely like to see a wide variety of people. My girlfriend wore her nose ring (a stud) to all of her interviews and has been accepted to 6 schools.
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I'll also add that I wore my nose ring (stud) to about half of the schools I interviewed at, and took it out for the other half. I also wore bright colors and makeup (including eyeliner and brown eyeshadow *gasp*!) to all of my interviews.

Three of the schools I was accepted to I kept the stud in, and three of the schools I was accepted to I kept it out, I think. So I'm not too sure if it matters.

Now hopefully whoever is about to ask about this next interview season will use the search function and find these two answers. 🙂
 
StarryNights said:
One of my older friends who is really gorgeous had people telling her she looks more like the nursing type than a premed, which is pretty dumb on so many levels.
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You may think it's dumb, but 8.5 times out of 10, if I'm told there are nursing majors in a group of people, I can pick them out.
 
girlofgrace7 said:
I laughed looking at the Facebook pages of accepted applicants to the medical school I'll be attending next year. I'd say at least a third of the girls could probably model if they wanted to, and very, very few of them look like "complete and utter science nerds" (in fact, nearly half the class has some sort of alcohol-related or partying picture as their profile pic).

As for myself, anybody who has spent any time in actual conversation with me isn't surprised I'm pre-med, but I often have random people asking me if I'm going to be a teacher or enter into some other "traditionally feminine" occupation. My favorite was a guy who, overhearing a conversation I had with a professor about med school interviews, asked if I was a liberal studies major. When I responded that I was entering medical school, he very patronizingly told me, "Oh, ok. That's nice! My mother and sister-in-law are both nurses!"
Click to expand...

..........what school are you going to again?😀
 
I'm an overweight hippie. I don't quite fit in with the pre-med crowd by any means.
 
I'm kind of a dork, but more in the hyper overgrown small child kind of way. Most people think I can't be serious long enough to be a doctor lol
 
JJMrK said:
Pre-meds are a pretty diverse group, and adcoms like to see well rounded people. I think the "typical [successful] pre-med" is very different from the stereotypical pre-med.
Click to expand...

I would definitely agree with this statement. Although the stereotypical pre-med looks like a nerd with no sense of style, confidence, or social skills, the typical pre-med is diverse, as the person above said. Due to my personality, people tend to think I am not as smart as I am. Not that they think I am stupid, but I definitely don't lead with my intelligence; me being myself is talkin s*** (in a good, funny way) and I love people that can return the favor. I am always crackin jokes too, so when I tell people I am headed to med school this fall, they're like, "what? I never thought you were stupid, but I never thought you were that smart." They think I care more about my fashion sense and matching the colors of my clothes to my sneakers than I care about school. This is actually funny because I do care a lot about my fashion sense, but I obviously care a lot about my academics as well. I actually view people's perception of me as a compliment though because I want people to know me for the joking, fashionable person I am, not for how intelligent I am.
 
People have told me I look like a doctor (don't know exactly what that means). But I look like a middle easterner, somewhat of a mix between my avatar and this:

m_g_0.jpg
 
You do all realize, of course, that ANYONE can be a premed.

Prediction: 60% of you will never be medical students, or doctors.
 
girlofgrace7 said:
I laughed looking at the Facebook pages of accepted applicants to the medical school I'll be attending next year. I'd say at least a third of the girls could probably model if they wanted to, and very, very few of them look like "complete and utter science nerds" (in fact, nearly half the class has some sort of alcohol-related or partying picture as their profile pic).

As for myself, anybody who has spent any time in actual conversation with me isn't surprised I'm pre-med, but I often have random people asking me if I'm going to be a teacher or enter into some other "traditionally feminine" occupation. My favorite was a guy who, overhearing a conversation I had with a professor about med school interviews, asked if I was a liberal studies major. When I responded that I was entering medical school, he very patronizingly told me, "Oh, ok. That's nice! My mother and sister-in-law are both nurses!"
Click to expand...

You can major in anything to go to med school, so it wasn't really out of place to ask your major. It sounds like he was just being friendly and trying to find common ground. I had a guy yesterday ask me my specialty and when I told him, he responded that his mom was a pharmacist. Not really relevant, but it was his way of striking up a conversation. I would encourage you not to be so sensitive and presumptuous.
 
slowbutsteady said:
You do all realize, of course, that ANYONE can be a premed.

Prediction: 60% of you will never be medical students, or doctors.
Click to expand...

🙄 Haha, geez. Uncalled for. I think that is the point of this thread...plus, most students realize the odds they are up against
 
I look like Dr. Manhattan. I think the adcoms will remember me. I even have H on my head.
 
Frazier said:
I am about 6'4'', medium build, full beard and wear thick framed brown glasses with a flat cap.

I look a nerd.

Similar to this guy: [but thicker beard & thicker glasses and minus the under bite]

174627820_c6a96b0c4c.jpg
Click to expand...

You mean that avatar picture isn't you?
















😉
 
I get compared to Natalie Portman alot..so, well, you can google her.
 
I used to work at Hooters. I'm lucky if people even think I have a brain at all, let alone one capable of possibly going to med school. It's nice though....no one expects much out of me. I can fly under the radar grade wise 😀
 
Chops369 said:
nintendo-nerd-king.jpg


I guess you could call this a part of my glory days. Sometimes I can't even believe I'm this much of a baller.
Click to expand...
Somewhere, this kid actually exists. He may not be premed or amount to much of anything, but he exists (or existed).

Am I the only one who finds this disturbing?

PS I look like this: -,- ... with a beard.
 
LebLlama said:
Whenever I tell people Im pre-med and applying to medical schools this summer, they always seemed so surprised that I'm even capable of such a thing. I'm thinking its because of the way I look. I work out regularly, have a pretty good physique, have facial scars, shave my head, and I guess I look rough/scruffy/angry all the time. I guess people assume I am a mechanic, plumber, or in and out of prison or something. I couldnt be farther from that, and Im a complete and utter science nerd.

Its so annoying, especially when people dont take me seriously about going into medicine and dont think its possible for me based soley on my looks. Kind of like a nerdy looking fellow who knows a lot about weight lifting, but no one in the gym will give him respect based soley on his appearence.

Im worried about the impression Id make in an interview because of this too. Subconsciously we judge everyone on their looks. I feel I may be disadvantaged for not looking like the typical applicant. Im wondering if I should wear my glasses that day and even grow my hair out before hand to comb to the side or something to increase my nerd appeal.

Can anyone relate?
Click to expand...


1203395701481.jpg.%5Broflposters.com%5D.myspace.jpg
 
LebLlama said:
Whenever I tell people Im pre-med and applying to medical schools this summer, they always seemed so surprised that I'm even capable of such a thing. I'm thinking its because of the way I look. I work out regularly, have a pretty good physique, have facial scars, shave my head, and I guess I look rough/scruffy/angry all the time. I guess people assume I am a mechanic, plumber, or in and out of prison or something. I couldnt be farther from that, and Im a complete and utter science nerd.
Click to expand...

You should grow out the hair and beard, get an all flannel lab coat, and tell everyone that you practice lumberjack medicine! :laugh:

Nah, but seriously I understand. Most people assume that I was/am just a jock (maybe because I'm an ex-military powerlifter) until I opened my mouth. Made it pretty clear that I was nerdy 🙂

Honestly, I really wouldn't worry about it. I personally like the small shocked looks and reaction when I tell them what I do or what my future plans are.

PS - Don't worry about the shaved head... It's a helluva lot more comfortable and easier to wear under s scrub cap all day. Plus, you won't have the dirty/greasy/just-woke-up hair after you take it off!
 
phantomx87 said:
You should grow out the hair and beard, get an all flannel lab coat, and tell everyone that you practice lumberjack medicine! :laugh:

Nah, but seriously I understand. Most people assume that I was/am just a jock (maybe because I'm an ex-military powerlifter) until I opened my mouth. Made it pretty clear that I was nerdy 🙂

Honestly, I really wouldn't worry about it. I personally like the small shocked looks and reaction when I tell them what I do or what my future plans are.

PS - Don't worry about the shaved head... It's a helluva lot more comfortable and easier to wear under s scrub cap all day. Plus, you won't have the dirty/greasy/just-woke-up hair after you take it off!
Click to expand...
Love the user title
 
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