Do you think more physically attractive applicants get an edge?

[screwedpremed88]

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Once you get to the interview stage, do you think more physically attractive applicants have an advantage? If I were an adcom and only had one spot left and were considering what I felt were equally qualified candidates...I'd give the spot to the more attractive candidate. And if I interviewed a really hot guy...I just might be a little more inclined to let him in if his GPA and MCAT were decent. What do y'all think?

 

[bozz]

Yeah

 

[UVAbme2009]

Subconsciously, yes. And that's because we all tend to favor things/people that look better.

 

[tiedyeddog]

1. You can't change how you look just don't negatively accent yourself at the interview (don't wear something outlandish. )
2. It's probably not that big of an edge over the competition.

 

[Nooblet]

is that why your username is "screwedpremed"?

i kid 🙄

 

[tiedyeddog]

is that why your username is "screwedpremed"?

i kid 🙄

I was actually wondering the same thing... Looking for something extra because some other essential category is lacking? 😛

I jest, also. I recall this topic being discussed a few times, might do a search for more responses.

 

[screwedpremed88]

I think I'm a cute pre-med actually.

 

[EpiPEN]

I don't know about physically attractiveness just by itself, but definate the more charismatic people get an edge.

 

[Handy388]

I don't know about physically attractiveness just by itself, but definate the more charismatic people get an edge.

that personality edge tends to come from physical attractiveness and its resultant social power that nurtures ones confidence. I for one, will be much more confident than kids who spent their last four years studying and doing nothing else.

 

[sully677]

I for one, will be much more confident than kids who spent their last four years studying and doing nothing else.

Arrogant are we?

 

[EpiPEN]

that personality edge tends to come from physical attractiveness and its resultant social power that nurtures ones confidence. I for one, will be much more confident than kids who spent their last four years studying and doing nothing else.

that may be true in many cases, but I know quite a few charismatic engineers who I can hardly call physically attractive. Afterall, physical shape isn't the only thing that may results in "social power that nurtures one's confidence." Otherwise everyone would be walking around with chizzled abs.

People will adapt their own survival strategies to gain the "confidence" in life. well, hopefully...

 

[tiedyeddog]

that personality edge tends to come from physical attractiveness and its resultant social power that nurtures ones confidence. I for one, will be much more confident than kids who spent their last four years studying and doing nothing else.

You assume that the kids who spend 4 years studying are all ugly?! I'm pretty sure being smug does not reflect well at interviews, FYI.

 

[RSAgator]

I think I'm a cute pre-med actually.

this thread is worthless without pics...

 

[chemolupusMD]

lets admit it, in the real world attractive ppl tend to do better than average ppl. Also, i dont think being attractive makes u charismatic, there are other things that can make a person charismatic.

 

[LossForWords]

this thread is worthless without pics...

You KNOW you want a taste... 😉

 

[RySerr21]

that personality edge tends to come from physical attractiveness and its resultant social power that nurtures ones confidence. I for one, will be much more confident than kids who spent their last four years studying and doing nothing else.

there's a fine line between confidnence and cockiness... the latter is just irritating.

 

[stixx]

Subconsciously, yes. And that's because we all tend to favor things/people that look better.

QFT. I've always thought this applies to everyone, just some of us are more overt about our superficiality than others.

 

[mterp45]

100% yes

 

[Sparda29]

Yeah, they probably do. I mean, if someone came to my house to sell candy or cookies, I'd probably buy from the more attractive person.

I'm a bit overweight, so whenever I'm wearing a suit, I get all nervous about how I look, then I start sweating and stuttering. (Usually would take 2 Xanax and 3 Vicodin to calm myself down. If I take it too early, then the drive to the place can get dangerous. If I take it too late, it won't kick in until I'm driving home.

So if I'm being interviewed at the same time as some other pre-med who has a Brad Pitt body, then yeah, I'm in deep trouble because the other guy will probably be able to charm the interviewers through.

 

[flip26]

I think there are limits to the pretty factor - a drop dead gorgeous applicant might actually suffer some sort of perverse backlash in med school admissions (there is also bias out there against brains in the most beautiful people)...but in general, more attractive = an edge...

I got no worries either way...interpret that any way you wish.

 

[Alfred E Newman]

There's a reason TMDSAS asks for photos and why Texas schools have the best-looking medical students. 😉

 

[Handy388]

I think there are limits to the pretty factor - a drop dead gorgeous applicant might actually suffer some sort of perverse backlash in med school admissions (there is also bias out there against brains in the most beautiful people)...but in general, more attractive = an edge...

I got no worries either way...interpret that any way you wish.

I think physical attractiveness in men are usually associated with being successful, however, rather than having backlash.

 

[RySerr21]

Yeah, they probably do. I mean, if someone came to my house to sell candy or cookies, I'd probably buy from the more attractive person.

haha. i dont see how attractiveness would play a role in which person you buy a cookie from. The cookies are the same. Thats way different than at a med school interview where, if accepted, you will be representing the school and become part of the school's image.

 

[Hurricane95]

Yes. At least I hope they filter the girls in that way, for my sake.

 

[kedrin]

looks almost always have a say in what happens in interviews.

i know a lot of fat ppl who are actually more charismatic than attractive folks.

 

[kedrin]

haha. i dont see how attractiveness would play a role in which person you buy a cookie from. The cookies are the same. Thats way different than at a med school interview where, if accepted, you will be representing the school and become part of the school's image.

you would probably give the more attractive person more attention and time to sell you on their cookies. Hell you might even buy them to just try and get in their pants, just like buying shots at a bar for chicks.

 

[flip26]

haha. i dont see how attractiveness would play a role in which person you buy a cookie from. The cookies are the same. Thats way different than at a med school interview where, if accepted, you will be representing the school and become part of the school's image.

Seriously, I think you have reversed what really happens here...the attractive sales person (cookies, whatever) will be able to do bigger sales than a less attractive sales person (consider the example of an attractive woman selling to a man, if that helps). I can't put my finger on it, but I have seen psychological studies that establish this sort of thing pretty clearly...

Honestly, the role it will play in med admissions is minimal at best. Consider that the greatest part of the screening - pre interview - is done "sight unseen" without any way to consider attractiveness as a factor, even a subconscious factor...

 

[Handy388]

you would probably give the more attractive person more attention and time to sell you on their cookies. Hell you might even buy them to just try and get in their pants, just like buying shots at a bar for chicks.

buy shots at a bar never gets chicks.

 

[QuaerensIntelle]

I definitely think it helps. I think intrinsically we all want to be friends with attractive people...because we feel that it will make us seem that we also are attractive. I've particularly noticed this during sorority recruitment, but that is probably the extreme case of shallowness. Plus, hot people are probably more memorable than average or ugly ones.

 

[kedrin]

buy shots at a bar never gets chicks.

you are looking at it in the wrong way. Shots alone wont get chicks but it is a great tool to get closer and warm them up lol.

 

[RySerr21]

you would probably give the more attractive person more attention and time to sell you on their cookies. Hell you might even buy them to just try and get in their pants, just like buying shots at a bar for chicks.

haha. f*that. I will never buy drink for a random girl at a bar. She can spend her own damn money, i dont care how good she looks.

Seriously, I think you have reversed what really happens here...the attractive sales person (cookies, whatever) will be able to do bigger sales than a less attractive sales person (consider the example of an attractive woman selling to a man, if that helps). I can't put my finger on it, but I have seen psychological studies that establish this sort of thing pretty clearly...

Honestly, the role it will play in med admissions is minimal at best. Consider that the greatest part of the screening - pre interview - is done "sight unseen" without any way to consider attractiveness as a factor, even a subconscious factor...

i guess i was answering from my perspective. I dont think i would treat one different from the other. If you have a product that I want, I will buy it. I dont care what you look like. I understand your point, and i agree that attractiveness will play a factor for most people when buying a product. It might help minimally, but I wouldnt go to as far as to say that I would give less time to an unattractive person selling the same product.

Some schools ask for a photograph. I'm not sure how common that is tho.

 

[Retsage]

that personality edge tends to come from physical attractiveness and its resultant social power that nurtures ones confidence. I for one, will be much more confident than kids who spent their last four years studying and doing nothing else.

Nonsense. I'm ugly as sin and unbelievably self-confident. Fairly charismatic, as well.

 

[JackInTheBox]

I definitely think it helps. I think intrinsically we all want to be friends with attractive people...because we feel that it will make us seem that we also are attractive. I've particularly noticed this during sorority recruitment, but that is probably the extreme case of shallowness. Plus, hot people are probably more memorable than average or ugly ones.

Hot chicks always have fugly friends because it makes them look even hotter in comparison, while the fugly friend thinks, incorrectly, that they'll get some residual hotness from their friend's aura. Either that, or they like always having a guarantee in the wingman 😛

 

[^=^]

Then I guess we should all get plastic surgery before going to our interviews...Or we can all wear a Bat Mask!
Otherwise, the interviewers will fear us like the DEvil Sheep!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMShvQa4SI0

 

[beancounter21]

looks almost always have a say in what happens in interviews.

i know a lot of fat ppl who are actually more charismatic than attractive folks.

fat people are just funnier too for some reason

 

[THX]

I think it really depends on how attractive the person is. If they are just above average, then yeah they have an edge. But if they are insanely hot then they don't. Why? Because subconsciously all the nerds (doctors/interviewers/me..) associate supremely hot with all looks no brains.

Just some food for thought.

 

[Excelsius]

1960. Kennedy v. Nixon. When the debates were limited exclusively to the radio, Nixon was well ahead of Kennedy. As soon as the debates went on TV, Kennedy whooped Nixon's arse. Do you think he became a better debater on TV? No. He was better looking and more charismatic. This Kennedy effect is true everywhere.

Your height and confidence play a big role as well. Many managers are tall or at least of average height. Some may be a little overweight, but I haven't met a single "fat" or short leader, well maybe except Jaba.

There was a list floating around SDN where looks were rated at # 8 or so. I can't find that list anymore. Maybe one of you can turn it up. However insignificant, looks definitely play a role. If you are not pretty, doesn't mean you're done for. You just have to make up for it by personality, charisma, confidence, kindness, etc. This is the same when you have a low GPA and you have to make up for it with great MCAT and ECs.

 

[Excelsius]

I think it really depends on how attractive the person is. If they are just above average, then yeah they have an edge. But if they are insanely hot then they don't. Why? Because subconsciously all the nerds (doctors/interviewers/me..) associate supremely hot with all looks no brains.

Just some food for thought.

This is true especially for women. I read an article about this. There may be some truth to this as well because to look "super-hot," you must spend a lot of time and money on your appearance, resources that are taken away from studying. This is why if you take away the makeup from many actresses, they look far worse than your girlfriend who never wears make up.

 

[RapplixGmed]

Then I guess we should all get plastic surgery before going to our interviews...Or we can all wear a Bat Mask!
Otherwise, they interviewers will fear us like the DEvil Sheep!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMShvQa4SI0

DUDE best idea ever!

One should send in one's secondary pics in disguise as well to complete the wtf effect.

Added points for using ascii art in the secondary essays

 

[Retsage]

Your height and confidence play a big role as well. Many managers are tall or at least of average height. Some may be a little overweight, but I haven't met a single "fat" or short leader, well maybe except Jaba.

While I do not disagree that height and looks make a difference, you're taking it to an extreme. Putin, the most badass mother****er around, is around 5'6-7. Sarkozy is around 5'5-5'6.

 

[Excelsius]

DUDE best idea ever!

One should send in one's secondary pics in disguise as well to complete the wtf effect.

Added points for using ascii art in the secondary essays

Don't have to be so drastic. Send the picture of your hot friend. If invited to interview, send your friend there too. Once accepted, you probably will never meet your interviewer anyway.

 

[Excelsius]

While I do not disagree that height and looks make a difference, you're taking it to an extreme. Putin, the most badass mother****er around, is around 5'6-7. Sarkozy is around 5'5-5'6.

5.7 or so is still close to average. And I also said that you can make up for anything. Screw Putin, just look at Napoleon. If he wasn't short, he would likely be another average person. Sometimes it's our lacks that make us excel.

 

[Diksha]

I think being pretty might help you (though in rare cases, you might be judged by someone who isn't affected by looks at all) but being average will not hurt you.

 

[EpiPEN]

Yes. At least I hope they filter the girls in that way, for my sake.

nope, why do you think only the pre-meds post their pictures on the internet? 😉

j/k!

 

[student1799]

I don't think there's any question that good-looking people tend to be favored in our society. There have been numerous studies that confirm this. For example, in one well-known study "matched pairs" of actors were sent to apply for the same jobs: each had the exact same resume (obviously with a different name), but one person was conventionally attractive and the other unattractive (acne, bald, short, etc.). The attractive member of each pair was MUCH more likely to get the job than the unattractive one. And the same thing applies to height alone: tall people are favored over short people.

But, as others have already said, there's only so much that you can--or should--do to change your appearance in order to please some med school interviewer. And don't forget that it's still a sexist world we live in; it could well be that even though a man is almost always rewarded for good looks, there could be some people who will hold it AGAINST a woman for looking "too pretty." (These are the really egregious types who think a woman can't be pretty and smart at the same time. It's a completely ridiculous attitude, but trust me, it's out there.)

So as long as you look approximately "normal," and have decent, professional-looking clothes, you should be fine. Stop worrying about looks and concentrate more on what you're going to say at the interview, because that will matter a lot more.

 

[Druzie]

I think looking clean, well-groomed, professional, and confident will matter more than your intrinsic "hotness." Everyone has a different idea of what "attractive" is.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Well, I got in with a sub-3 BCMP, so I'd say looks matter a whole hell of a lot. 😎👍

 

[kedrin]

 

[kedrin]

then again he ^ made it in hahaha

 

[nowanmd]

i'm an ugly bast*rd and i went to Downstate- lol