Do you think Looks matter?

DATBooster | The Ultimate DAT Resource
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
L

luv2424

apples
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
Just wondering if you guys think that attraction plays any role in admissions. I noticed quite a few beautiful pple at my interviews...
Members don't see this ad.
 
luv2424 said:
Just wondering if you guys think that attraction plays any role in admissions. I noticed quite a few beautiful pple at my interviews...
Click to expand...

did you seriously ask that question? in case this wasn't a joke, the answer is NO!
 
It probably does... subconciously🙂 But nowadays people learn how to control such biasing.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Who knows how appearance might affect someone's subconscious (if you believe in that stuff).
 
I think its body language more than looks, if you conduct yourself in good way and use congruent body language that looks right, it has been shown that people repond more positivly to you, thus you might make a better impression and have a better chance of admission after the interview.:banana:
 
Potentially... In my psychology classes we have discussed the "what is beautiful is good" effect, which is when people assume that those who are beautiful are good at other things as well (which isn't necessarily the case). But I would agree with Zubnaya that they have probably tried to eliminate that kind of bias in the process so I wouldn't worry about it too much 🙂
 
Of course looks matter. Don't let them tell you otherwise.

I'm so handsome (I think I may be perfect!) that everyone likes me. I get in everywhere I want.

Seriously, that's why its a fact that looks definitely matter.
 
I think the only factor of attraction that plays a role in the process is how well you carry yourself into and through that interview. Gotta exude that confidence.. let it just tumble out, like a bunch of circus freaks 😀
 
The right answer: No, you are evaluated without bias, and critiqued on your credentials as an applicant.

The real answer: Of course it does. Just like in business or in any walk of life, subconsciously we evaluate people based on looks. It is human nature to do so. To deny this is being naive.

I doubt it plays a significant role, but it matters.
 
why don't you show up to every interview with sweats and a hoodie to test this out?
 
hahahahaha absolutely! it always helps to be really realllyyyy ridiculoussslyyy goodlooking. just ask derek zoolander
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Our medical school has had two of the most beautiful guys I have ever seen.

Our own class has some gorgeous people too, so looks must play some kind of role.
 
I don't know for sure but I'm going to go with "yes"

There was a study once where they took a class of kindergarten-ish aged kids and had a pretty substitute teacher. The kids thought she was really nice. They took that same teacher and 'uglified' her and the kids thought she was mean. Same teacher, same behaviors but the only difference was how 'pretty' she was. I don't doubt the same subconcious behavior continues throughout life. If you are good looking and charming you could probably seal the deal in any type of interview which is not a sure yes or no.

Moral of the story? Stay fit, Have good hygene, and be personable; it could be like giving yourself .5 to your gpa and 5 to your mcat 👍
 
AirmanCatalyst said:
I don't know for sure but I'm going to go with "yes"

There was a study once where they took a class of kindergarten-ish aged kids and had a pretty substitute teacher. The kids thought she was really nice. They took that same teacher and 'uglified' her and the kids thought she was mean. Same teacher, same behaviors but the only difference was how 'pretty' she was. I don't doubt the same subconcious behavior continues throughout life. If you are good looking and charming you could probably seal the deal in any type of interview which is not a sure yes or no.

Moral of the story? Stay fit, Have good hygene, and be personable; it could be like giving yourself .5 to your gpa and 5 to your mcat 👍
Click to expand...

You on the wrong forum buddy!

And yes looks matter to a certain extent...
 
I apologize for bringing a non-dental simile into the equation, but it's the first thing that popped into my head
 
osucowgirl said:
Potentially... In my psychology classes we have discussed the "what is beautiful is good" effect, which is when people assume that those who are beautiful are good at other things as well (which isn't necessarily the case). But I would agree with Zubnaya that they have probably tried to eliminate that kind of bias in the process so I wouldn't worry about it too much 🙂
Click to expand...

I have learned this in psych class as well. And research has been done and found that more attractive people get better jobs, get paid more and are more likely to land that job over less attractive counterparts.

Of course I also agree that these biases are "controlled for". However, these are subconscious things. So, even if you weren't born the most attractive person on earth, you still should use these things at your advantage in the interview, such as dressing nice, doing your hair, being really clean cut, etc. I plan on doing all of this at my DS interviews. Another subconscious bias that I will be using is the fact that people with glasses are associated with being smart. I will then wear my glasses at my DS interviews, even though that will be the last time they will ever see me wear them 😀

Anyways, in sum, use those biases to your advantage. This is a really competitive field, and you have to use any edge that you can gain. 😎
 
This is called the Halo Effect and I think it is an interesting topic, but things like GPA, DAT, and essay help give a far better indication of someone's ability to perform in D-school and their eventual career. It's also a lot better to be a good conversationalist during an interview than just look the part, too. Basically, all you uggos out there with an "equal" application to mine are in trouble if we interview at the same school, haha 😉.
 
Doesn't everyone think they are attractive? How many people on here do not find themselves good looking? I will be the first to say, I think I am good looking. I might not be, but I THINK I am lol. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 
If anyone really thinks that matters you are out of your mind.
 
kaDa said:
This is called the Halo Effect and I think it is an interesting topic, but things like GPA, DAT, and essay help give a far better indication of someone's ability to perform in D-school and their eventual career. It's also a lot better to be a good conversationalist during an interview than just look the part, too. Basically, all you uggos out there with an "equal" application to mine are in trouble if we interview at the same school, haha 😉.
Click to expand...

I agree, I was just mentioning the fact that one should use every advantage he can get since this is a super competitive field. Of course 99% of the judging has nothing to do with your looks, but with the actual criteria. Take professional athletes for example, they are all amazing players with very high level skill once they get in the professional league, at that point, they have to use every single edge no matter how small it is in order to be better than their opponent (strategies, new training techniques, nutrition, psychological techniques, etc.).
 
It definitely plays a factor. Not as much as gpa and DAT, but I still think it is substantial.
 
I think definitely yes. Not just attractiveness.. u can just have a babyface.. or a really stern looking face and people will judge u based on that. And attractive people tend to obtain better jobs, have higher pay, socially successfull.. a lot of it comes from the fact that perhaps attractive people are more confident in the way they present themselves.
 
Looks dont matter , just plan to marry a plastic surgeon.
 
You guys are nuts. How many models you see walking around at dental schools? Looks don't mean anything.
 
MTD and thinkofmyfuture, have you guys never taken a general psychology class? Of course attractiveness matters in first impressions. They don't have a significant difference, especially not compared to your DAT scores, GPA, letters, the way you speak, your personality, etc etc, but they still do play into a subconscious evaluation of your person by the admissions comitee. They don't just go: "hey this guy looks really handsome, he must be smarter and more successfull", no, its all subconscious.
 
CanadianDental said:
MTD and thinkofmyfuture, have you guys never taken a general psychology class? Of course attractiveness matters in first impressions. They don't have a significant difference, especially not compared to your DAT scores, GPA, letters, the way you speak, your personality, etc etc, but they still do play into a subconscious evaluation of your person by the admissions comitee. They don't just go: "hey this guy looks really handsome, he must be smarter and more successfull", no, its all subconscious.
Click to expand...

Well, that's really not fair. Now I feel terrible. Someone please tell me how to stop these tears!
 
well, at least I looked good in my suit on interview day! I hope this will subconsciously sway them into thinking I should be accepted. =)
 
honestly, I really don't think looks play a factor (as it shouldn't). Haven't you noticed that there are less and less good looking people the higher up in education you get? It's either the studying does something to the way we look or all the good looking people chose another career path. :laugh:
 
I think looks definitely matter...

A lady that interviewed me at one of the schools i went to slipped in a complement saying something like "your a very handsome guy and it seems like you'll be a great dentist"

So i dont know, take it for what it is...
 
whoaaitzkyle said:
honestly, I really don't think looks play a factor (as it shouldn't). Haven't you noticed that there are less and less good looking people the higher up in education you get? It's either the studying does something to the way we look or all the good looking people chose another career path. :laugh:
Click to expand...

Hey off topic but, with your stats is western really the only school that interviewed/accepted you? Or is that the only one you put on your predents profile?
 
Tommy43087 said:
I think looks definitely matter...

A lady that interviewed me at one of the schools i went to slipped in a complement saying something like "your a very handsome guy and it seems like you'll be a great dentist"

So i dont know, take it for what it is...
Click to expand...

well maybe she liked you for more than dental school admissions....

anyone taking a psych class will tell you that they do matter, even though nobody would think they are biased by looks.
 
Last edited:
CanadianDental said:
MTD and thinkofmyfuture, have you guys never taken a general psychology class? Of course attractiveness matters in first impressions. They don't have a significant difference, especially not compared to your DAT scores, GPA, letters, the way you speak, your personality, etc etc, but they still do play into a subconscious evaluation of your person by the admissions comitee. They don't just go: "hey this guy looks really handsome, he must be smarter and more successfull", no, its all subconscious.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have taken psychology classes, and that's crap. If anyone lets that affect their decision at all they shouldn't have a job. Sure, it could tap into something subconscious, but again, that should not change ANYTHING.

As to the people who said too good looking to be a dentist and that you're a very handsome guy - that, IMO, is very unprofessional, on an interview anyway. In fleeting conversation, fine, but not in that setting. I think that's out of line.
 
In my last interview, which was with a male student and a male faculty member, the first question I got was:

"You're a good looking guy...you could have done whatever you wanted... why dentistry?"

Beginning my interview knowing that these guys found me attractive made it pretty damn easy to win them over for the rest of the interview.
 
GoetzItDone said:
In my last interview, which was with a male student and a male faculty member, the first question I got was:

"You're a good looking guy...you could have done whatever you wanted... why dentistry?"

Beginning my interview knowing that these guys found me attractive made it pretty damn easy to win them over for the rest of the interview.
Click to expand...

Haha what??? First off why were two male's addressing you physically. Not a homophobe by any means, but that just seems abnormal, especially in a professional interview. Second of all, can ugly people not do whatever they want, or is that only a privilege of the beautiful. This is just an overall weird post.
 
I hate to break it to you previous posters, but people are not inclined to compliment the truly extremely good looking people.

If you got those compliments at your interview or whatever, you're probably decent at best. Don't flatter yourself going on thinking you could really have been anything.

The uppermost echelon of the truly gorgeous couldn't care less of how pretty people view them; they already know. It would be pretty lame to opine the obvious.

I just wanted to add this to avoid anymore posts in a row of people sharing their interview story of how they heard that they were so damn good looking. :laugh:.

But they were funny reads, I must say.
 
Last edited:
I'd say no, i'm in the same building with med, opt, dental, pharm, nurse students and i can assure you the quality of good looking girls is not that high. But then again i went to a big state school that seems like all the girls were banging. Dental has the highest rate of good looking girls along with opt, but even then the # is against it. So to your question, no looks doesn't play that big of a deal but being attractive as a girl or a guy wouldn't hurt you.
 
Do i think looks matter? Yes.
Do it play an important role in making you a successful dental/dentist or having a fulfill relationship socially or intimately? NO

If a handsome guy pursue me, yes i will be flattered and go on a date with him. The good looking factor dies out pretty fast if he is a prick, arrogance and stupid. A good quality girl does not let a prick arrogance good looking guy get into her pants.
 
ucla2134 said:
Do i think looks matter? Yes.
Do it play an important role in making you a successful dental/dentist or having a fulfill relationship socially or intimately? NO

If a handsome guy pursue me, yes i will be flattered and go on a date with him. The good looking factor dies out pretty fast if he is a prick, arrogance and stupid. A good quality girl does not let a prick arrogance good looking guy get into her pants.
Click to expand...
Haha, my god, where is this thread going :laugh:..
 
Last edited:
In my interviews there were attractive people and they seemed to have a lot of confidence. If you feel good about yourself, you are going to interview better thus making a difference in admissions.
 
Tommy43087 said:
Hey off topic but, with your stats is western really the only school that interviewed/accepted you? Or is that the only one you put on your predents profile?
Click to expand...

wow ok this is getting off topic, but just to answer your question there's a long story behind my application process longer than anyone would probably care. I did get more than one interview but didn't update predents after my interview for western. Long story short, I took the DAT twice and scored pretty bad the first time around. ADA mistakenly sent the wrong scores and I didn't find out until maybe Mid-Nov ish and by the time I resent my new scores out and called all the dschools they gave me some ridiculous response explaining how they already had reviewed my app and out of fairness to all applicants they cannot review it again unless if it was under the "continual review" pile. I try to look at it optimistically though and think it's a blessing in disguise because now I'm in sunny socal 🙂
 
I think if you are really really smart and you can impress them with your personality and confidence then looks don't matter to them because they have already decided that you will be in as long as you don't act like anti-social at the interview. But if you are an average student, subconsciously it may play factor in their decision.
 
luv2424 said:
Just wondering if you guys think that attraction plays any role in admissions. I noticed quite a few beautiful pple at my interviews...
Click to expand...
Which school was that? Hopefully, I've applied there!:laugh::xf:

I personally don't think attraction matters that much.
These people are trying to find students, who can survive through dental school, because too many dropouts have a negative impact on the school's rating.
So, they won't actually benefit from giving admission to someone who is gorgeous, but is going to dropout in couple of months and mess up their rating. Besides, no one person has a final saying on whether or not you're gonna get in. The committee decides, and not every member of the committee has seen you. So, they can't all make a decision based on your appearance.
However, it is VERY IMPORTANT too look and behave professional during your interview!
 
nze82 said:
Which school was that? Hopefully, I've applied there!:laugh::xf:

I personally don't think attraction matters that much.
These people are trying to find students, who can survive through dental school, because too many dropouts have a negative impact on the school's rating.
So, they won't actually benefit from giving admission to someone who is gorgeous, but is going to dropout in couple of months and mess up their rating. Besides, no one person has a final saying on whether or not you're gonna get in. The committee decides, and not every member of the committee has seen you. So, they can't all make a decision based on your appearance.
However, it is VERY IMPORTANT too look and behave professional during your interview!
Click to expand...

yea, i totally agree...i feel the amount we as students pay the school in tuition fees doesn't cover all the costs. I feel the dental schools are investing in us and want us to all be successful dentists not only to bring in money during our 3-4th years, but to also be competent technicians to carry the name of their school. Although I definitely wouldn't be against a dschool for of beautiful people 🙂
 
Doesn't matter what the answer is, what you can do on your part is carry yourself as best as you can. Self confidence is key.
 
whoaaitzkyle said:
yea, i totally agree...i feel the amount we as students pay the school in tuition fees doesn't cover all the costs. I feel the dental schools are investing in us and want us to all be successful dentists not only to bring in money during our 3-4th years, but to also be competent technicians to carry the name of their school. Although I definitely wouldn't be against a dschool for of beautiful people 🙂
Click to expand...

UCSF dental students are the bomb 👍 😍
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
How do Canadian dental schools look at pass/fail Courses?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
F
Looking for Personal Statement Reader
Replies
1
Views
182
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
I
One thing you don't like about dentistry
Replies
6
Views
2K
TanMan
T
fudd
  • Question Question
What ECs do certain schools look for?
Replies
1
Views
722
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Studentofdeen
Does major matter?
Replies
15
Views
757
Studentofdeen
Studentofdeen
Top