Does anyone have plugs (body mod)? What did you do with them for your interview?

[ProteinChemist]

Yes eyelets, tunnels, or plugs of some sort in a noticeably big gauge (mine are 0 gauge). So what did people do with them? Or what is your plan before interviews? They make those lame hider plugs but those are kind of gross looking. I have long hair so people shouldn't notice much. Should I just leave them?

Do you guys think that if an interviewer saw them, they'd be put off? Like with tats or unconventional piercings? I'd like to think that it wouldn't matter but of course it does, especially to old crusty or close-minded people like some interviewers who I am trying to impress...

Also, just out of curiosity, what did or what will people do about arm tats and facial piercings? Long sleeves duh but anyone leave them visible and still get accepted?

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[debvz]

Just wear earmuffs.

 

[236116]

Do you guys think that if an interviewer saw them, they'd be put off? Like with tats or unconventional piercings?

Also, just out of curiosity, what did or what will people do about arm tats and facial piercings? Long sleeves duh but anyone leave them visible and still get accepted?

Yes, they would be. As would many of your future patients. I don't think of myself as particularly close-minded but I'd certainly give you a second look, and possibly not a cordial one.

Arm tats tend to be coverable except in scrubs.

Kids these days. Didn't your mama ever tell you to take your nose piercing out before a job interview?

 

[Haro4130Frame]

I had a lip ring when I interviewed and just took it out for the day. Put in as soon as I was done. Im not sure about guaged ears since it would be droopy im guessing. I would just get some hard to see color ones and leave them in.

And i doubt you will have any problems in the first years of med school with them either. I mean I now have bith sides of my lip pierced and no one has said anything...but it does get you more noticed since its unconventional for med students to have that.

 

[ProteinChemist]

Why would you give someone an un-cordial look for having their ears stretched? I don't get it. Do you dislike things that are unfamiliar to you? Wow, you sound really compassionate and like you'll be a great doctor.

My ears aren't droopy, that's gross. I could put in some smaller guage plugs for the interview I suppose and go unnoticed.

And props on having your lip pierced twice. I guess you must be awesome enough to redeem yourself to shallow people.

 

[Bacchus]

The reason you'll get looks is because gauging, piercings (besides ears), and large tattoos are not the norm. The major culture surrounding these items is not considered professional and thus neither are the symbols.

If you're a male you might have a problem as we're expected to keep our hair neat and trimmed. That "forbids" you from having hair that covers your ear lobes.

 

[silverlining1]

Why would you give someone an un-cordial look for having their ears stretched? I don't get it. Do you dislike things that are unfamiliar to you? Wow, you sound really compassionate and like you'll be a great doctor.

I think that 1) medicine is a conservative profession, and you may be looked down upon as "a crazy kid" and 2) patients may very likely feel less comfortable as well. As someone said earlier, even people who are pretty open and accepting may feel more comfortable instinctively with a clean-cut physician than one with plugs or tattoos.

I am not saying it's right; I'm saying it's tradition + initial impressions.

 

[87138]

Why would you give someone an un-cordial look for having their ears stretched? I don't get it.

If you don't "get it", there are bigger problems at play here.


Edit: And the fact is, we can play a game of "YES WE CAN all be equals" and hold hands if we want, but that's not how the real world works. Sucks sometimes, but them's the breaks. You're essentially handicapping your career from the get-go, whether it seems fair or not.

 

[FlowLimited]

Why would you give someone an un-cordial look for having their ears stretched? I don't get it. Do you dislike things that are unfamiliar to you? Wow, you sound really compassionate and like you'll be a great doctor.

My ears aren't droopy, that's gross. I could put in some smaller guage plugs for the interview I suppose and go unnoticed.

And props on having your lip pierced twice. I guess you must be awesome enough to redeem yourself to shallow people.

Burnett's Law strikes again!

 

[themule]

Why would you give someone an un-cordial look for having their ears stretched? I don't get it. Do you dislike things that are unfamiliar to you? Wow, you sound really compassionate and like you'll be a great doctor.

Allow me to retort I think you would be a terrible doctor for saying he/she would be a terrible doctor.

Burnett's Law strikes again!

I was just going to post this. 👍👍

 

[swamprat]

IMO i would rather have a doctor clean cut than have piercings/tattoos for no particular reason rlly, so I'm sure most other people would think that. I also think it looks unprofessional, so I'd fix it - think about it like this. If theres 1 spot left and it's you vs. someone else and all else being relatively equal you probably would get the short end of the stick if the other person was clean cut. just my .02 though...

 

[ProteinChemist]

I'm a woman so having long hair won't be a problem.

60 years ago, if I would have said, I'm a woman applying to med school, what should I do, the mob would have said, "That's not the norm! You are at a disadvantage and people will look down on you. Patients don't feel comfortable with women doctors because that's unfamiliar!"

60 years from now when there are plenty of professionals who openly wear body mods, you people will say, oh I was always tolerant of other people in my day.

 

[geenelln]

I have a small nose stud that I took out for my interviews. I also had 4 piercings up my right ear that I took out. Even though these aren't as unusual as body mods, I still made sure I looked conventional. They, the old crusty white people, even frown on peep-toe shoes...so I dunno how the long hair/ear gauges might fly.

 

[ProteinChemist]

Okay and let me clarify, I'm speaking only of 0 guage plugs, not tattoos or anything else. But your logic of "I want a clean-cut doctor because they are smarter and would probably be a better doctor.." Do I really have to point out that this argument is unfounded?

 

[Bacchus]

The mainstream culture is "moved" by body modification. Although it is now more accepted than before, it still is unprofessional by terms of society. Interviews require professionalism, and no matter how you approach it, people will judge you. Is it right? No. I'm sure you would make an excellent physician but to be honest, just because people should be more open, doesn't mean you should openly show your body modifications. Put the clear plugs in or style your hair so that your ears are hidden.

Remember, this is a game and the medical schools already have you in check. The last thing you need is check mate because of the appearance of your ears.

 

[darkosbunny]

Why would you give someone an un-cordial look for having their ears stretched? I don't get it. Do you dislike things that are unfamiliar to you? Wow, you sound really compassionate and like you'll be a great doctor.

My ears aren't droopy, that's gross. I could put in some smaller guage plugs for the interview I suppose and go unnoticed.

And props on having your lip pierced twice. I guess you must be awesome enough to redeem yourself to shallow people.

It's because it IS unprofessional. Like it or not, in the real world, there is a right and a wrong way to present yourself. You can have a different style, that is fine, but the wrong way to express it is through ornaments on your face. For instance, there are many different classy/trendy/stylish clothing styles when it comes to suits and business attire. That is fine. Things on your face are not.

It's like asking if it's ok to wear a muscle shirt and basketball shorts to an interview. You would never do that so why would you wear devices on your face to an interview?

 

[87138]

Okay and let me clarify, I'm speaking only of 0 guage plugs, not tattoos or anything else. But your logic of "I want a clean-cut doctor because they are smarter and would probably be a better doctor.." Do I really have to point out that this argument is unfounded?

This is just getting silly. Please point out where anyone said this (besides the one guy throwing Burnett's Law back in your face). No one has devalued your abilities on this thread. The fact is, though, that first impressions count, and your peers/superiors/PATIENTS will make assumptions and formulate opinions about you the moment they see the ear mods.

You asked for what we thought the reactions would be from the medical community. We told you. You got mad.

 

[ProteinChemist]

The mainstream culture is "moved" by body modification. Although it is now more accepted than before, it still is unprofessional by terms of society. Interviews require professionalism, and no matter how you approach it, people will judge you. Is it right? No. I'm sure you would make an excellent physician but to be honest, just because people should be more open, doesn't mean you should openly show your body modifications. Put the clear plugs in or style your hair so that your ears are hidden.

Remember, this is a game and the medical schools already have you in check. The last thing you need is check mate because of the appearance of your ears.

Thanks. Good advice. Good name by the way. I will take them out. I wouldn't let something trivial interfere with my career. Though I can still be indignant.

 

[FrickenhugeMD]

You came here asking for opinions on an online forum, and you got them.

Whats the beef?

I would have to say the majority of THIS society is going to question your credentials based on perceived images of other people who dress/pierce/tattoo like you do. Culture paints these types as "less desirable". Does that make you any less capable of being a doctor? No, But it may make some people feel otherwise

 

[Bacchus]

My last word of advice is to realize in the future you'll probably have to remove these gauges permanently, especially during your clinical years. Once matriculated, you may want to take them out to give your lobes ample time to heal and close. But, if you don't do this, at least don't go any bigger.

 

[circulus vitios]

I'm a woman so having long hair won't be a problem.

60 years ago, if I would have said, I'm a woman applying to med school, what should I do, the mob would have said, "That's not the norm! You are at a disadvantage and people will look down on you. Patients don't feel comfortable with women doctors because that's unfamiliar!"

60 years from now when there are plenty of professionals who openly wear body mods, you people will say, oh I was always tolerant of other people in my day.

Being a woman isn't a choice, body modifications are.

 

[Anotherface]

I'm a woman so having long hair won't be a problem.

60 years ago, if I would have said, I'm a woman applying to med school, what should I do, the mob would have said, "That's not the norm! You are at a disadvantage and people will look down on you. Patients don't feel comfortable with women doctors because that's unfamiliar!"

60 years from now when there are plenty of professionals who openly wear body mods, you people will say, oh I was always tolerant of other people in my day.

Lions, and tigers, and trolls o my.

That's not the point that people are making, but it you probably know that. Nothing was said about the general public. That is, no one said that plugs bothered them in general. However, they did say that if your are a doctor, plugs make you look unprofessional. In other words, if I were hallucinating due to head trauma and were brought into to see someone with tats, then I might feel that the EMTs had mistakenly taken me to the local tat parlor or hot topic.

People answered your question...I don't get why people ask questions even though they know the answer and are unwilling to accept it.

My last word of advice is to realize in the future you'll probably have to remove these gauges permanently, especially during your clinical years. Once matriculated, you may want to take them out to give your lobes ample time to heal and close. But, if you don't do this, at least don't go any bigger.

True. Its probably not a health violation like having 2in long nails, but its probably against the rules.

 

[Markymark2004]

OP,
Nobody is telling you that you can't express yourself IN YOUR FREE TIME. Rather, you have chosen to enter a PROFESSIONAL career and therefore must conduct yourself accordingly. And this isn't one of those putting medicine on a pedestal things, this would also apply if you were a teacher, for example. I for one enjoy listening to heavy metal music and have been known to make my way down into mosh pits. I wouldn't, however, as a doctor, walk through the waiting room with a Slipknot shirt on before changing into my scrubs. Sometimes a little dichotomy between your personal and professional life is necessary...

 

[socmob]

Before my first med school interview, I took out my tongue piercing and never put it back in. I had 6+ other serious cartilage piercings which I'd already taken out a few months earlier. The fact is that I knew when I got my piercings, as much as I liked them, that I wanted to do medicine and that was what was most important. In high school, I shadowed/volunteered in the hospital with my brightly dyed red/pink hair and obvious piercings...and a) several (older) patients complained and we had to bring out the hospital dress code which clearly stated that it didn't apply to volunteers (note: many hospitals have official dress codes which cover visible piercings) and b) the nurses gossiped about one young doc that used to be around who had various visible piercings and a tattoo and how he was a pretty nice guy but they still didn't respect him (and neither did anyone else) and how he always had issues. Long story short, yeah it sucks (I miss my piercings!), but as people have stated, it's the way the professional world works. It's medicine or visible mods, your choice.

 

[Poiu86]

Being a woman isn't a choice, body modifications are.

👍

 

[rama kandra]

hows this tat?

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Personally, I would take them out, then make up an incredible story how you got two 0 gauge holes in your ears....

...like, you got mauled by tiger as a kid and were lucky enough to merely escape with two, perfectly proportional, perfectly symmetrical puncture wounds in your earlobes. Do this while tearing up and the interviewer will melt with sympathy. Also, the "whats your weakness" question becomes really easy...you like to go fishing but the hook always catches your earlobe...

Or you could go with the new Joker style: "Do you want to know how I got these puncture wounds?" [insert crazy psycho story about how you were chained in the attic by your ears as a child and fed fishheads once a day]

Why so serious??

 

[135892]

Being a woman isn't a choice, body modifications are.

But is it?

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Are you a vegetarian or vegan?

 

[Slack3r]

Having ear gauges doesn't make you vegan. I had 2 gauges (as a male) up until about 8 months ago. The holes are still visible. I think anything past 6 takes forever to heal, and you'll still always see a small hole.

 

[Haro4130Frame]

Why would you give someone an un-cordial look for having their ears stretched? I don't get it. Do you dislike things that are unfamiliar to you? Wow, you sound really compassionate and like you'll be a great doctor.

My ears aren't droopy, that's gross. I could put in some smaller guage plugs for the interview I suppose and go unnoticed.

And props on having your lip pierced twice. I guess you must be awesome enough to redeem yourself to shallow people.

Not sure what warranted this but mmk...I never attacked you and actually said itd be okay to keep them. I fail to see what your problem is. My piercing were just examples to show that not everyone looks the same in medical school and that unusual body piercings can still be worn. The droopy thing was because I dont have guages and havent really seen what they look like without the rings. My apologies if that offended you somehow.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Having ear gauges doesn't make you vegan. I had 2 gauges (as a male) up until about 8 months ago. The holes are still visible. I think anything past 6 takes forever to heal, and you'll still always see a small hole.

I know it doesn't. I have several friends and siblings with gauges and they are by no means vegans, i was just curious.

How bout only eating Organic, do you do that (proteinchemist)?

 

[KeyzerSoze]

It's like asking if it's ok to wear a muscle shirt and basketball shorts to an interview. You would never do that so why would you wear devices on your face to an interview?

60 years ago, if someone would have said, I'm a woman applying to med school, what should I do, the mob would have said, "That's not the norm! You are at a disadvantage and people will look down on you. Patients don't feel comfortable with women doctors because that's unfamiliar!"

60 years from now when there are plenty of professionals who openly wear muscle shirts and basketball shorts, you people will say, oh I was always tolerant of other people in my day.

 

[WaterBird]

In theory, I agree with taking them out, because hey, why risk it?

But based on my actual experience, not speculation, I don't know how much it matters. I have an unconventional piercing which I always forget to take out and I've gotten into > 1/2 of the schools where i've interviewed. So clearly it didn't blacklist me everywhere.

 

[Forthegood]

Not sure what warranted this but mmk...I never attacked you and actually said itd be okay to keep them. I fail to see what your problem is. My piercing were just examples to show that not everyone looks the same in medical school and that unusual body piercings can still be worn. The droopy thing was because I dont have guages and havent really seen what they look like without the rings. My apologies if that offended you somehow.

I disagree. You should not apologize for offending him, he should apologize for being obnoxious.

And for the OP, you get two choices in life. You can either ask peoples opinions and here what they have to say, or not ask their opinions. Don't be a jerk about their opinions, they are not trying to personally insult you. Really, we all have more important things going on than our opinions of you.

 

[I am the Stig]

OP,
My belief is that you should not be forced into changing your outward appearance to fit some other individual's visualization of what a professional appearance is. I also don't believe its right to do essentially meaningless "research" just for the purpose of documenting how you wasted your time and in the process improving your standing with adcoms.
Other than your GPA, MCAT, and activities you are sincerely passionate about, the entire application process is a series of lies. Would anyone of you do the kind of ECs you do prior to applying at any other point in your life? Just one simple example.
So, OP, think of altering your present physical appearance as an extension of this deceitful process. Think of it as volunteering somewhere that you really don't want to volunteer at, but you do it since everyone else is and if you don't, you will slip behind....

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

OP,
My belief is that you should not be forced into changing your outward appearance to fit some other individual's visualization of what a professional appearance is. I also don't believe its right to do essentially meaningless "research" just for the purpose of documenting how you wasted your time and in the process improving your standing with adcoms.
Other than your GPA, MCAT, and activities you are sincerely passionate about, the entire application process is a series of lies. Would anyone of you do the kind of ECs you do prior to applying at any other point in your life? Just one simple example.
So, OP, think of altering your present physical appearance as an extension of this deceitful process. Think of it as volunteering somewhere that you really don't want to volunteer at, but you do it since everyone else is and if you don't, you will slip behind....

Completely agree. The application process requires one big front, don't stop at your personal appearance. Just play the stupid game until you're in.

 

[WDeagle]

OP,
My belief is that you should not be forced into changing your outward appearance to fit some other individual's visualization of what a professional appearance is. I also don't believe its right to do essentially meaningless "research" just for the purpose of documenting how you wasted your time and in the process improving your standing with adcoms.
Other than your GPA, MCAT, and activities you are sincerely passionate about, the entire application process is a series of lies. Would anyone of you do the kind of ECs you do prior to applying at any other point in your life? Just one simple example.
So, OP, think of altering your present physical appearance as an extension of this deceitful process. Think of it as volunteering somewhere that you really don't want to volunteer at, but you do it since everyone else is and if you don't, you will slip behind....

I disagree. "Meaningless research", while not as good as "meaningful research", is a great experience. Doing research refines alot of skills that you would not otherwise develop in undergrad. I think this gives you a heads up in medical school and helps develop you into a better doctor. Similarly, being involved in alot of EC's is going to develop different skills as well. Doing these things better develops you as a person and better prepares you for medical school and beyond. When i was a pre-med i used to think that research and volunteer work were just a meaningless hoop. Now i can definately see the benefit.

OP your going to be going into a profession in which everything you do will be scrutinzed. Go to a hospital and look at all the doctors. They almost all look the same. Clean-cut(and strange goatees?). Why? Because they have to be! Look at politicians, lawyers, teachers, executives, clergy, etc. All clean-cut. Its just a part of growing up.

 

[Retsage]

I'm a woman so having long hair won't be a problem.

60 years ago, if I would have said, I'm a woman applying to med school, what should I do, the mob would have said, "That's not the norm! You are at a disadvantage and people will look down on you. Patients don't feel comfortable with women doctors because that's unfamiliar!"

60 years from now when there are plenty of professionals who openly wear body mods, you people will say, oh I was always tolerant of other people in my day.

Gosh, you and your stretched out earlobes are a modern day Elizabeth Blackwell or Susan B. Anthony!

 

[Marcus Brody]

They're disgusting.

People who do that to themselves deserve to worry about what to do with stupid looking earlobes for their interviews, and so I find this thread quite satisfying. 👍

 

[I am the Stig]

I disagree. "Meaningless research", while not as good as "meaningful research", is a great experience. Doing research refines alot of skills that you would not otherwise develop in undergrad. I think this gives you a heads up in medical school and helps develop you into a better doctor. Similarly, being involved in alot of EC's is going to develop different skills as well. Doing these things better develops you as a person and better prepares you for medical school and beyond. When i was a pre-med i used to think that research and volunteer work were just a meaningless hoop. Now i can definately see the benefit.

OP your going to be going into a profession in which everything you do will be scrutinzed. Go to a hospital and look at all the doctors. They almost all look the same. Clean-cut(and strange goatees?). Why? Because they have to be! Look at politicians, lawyers, teachers, executives, clergy, etc. All clean-cut. Its just a part of growing up.

There are many other experiences/activities you can do in life besides research that could aid you far better in developing into an individual more suited for the medical profession. I would far prefer spending my time online reading about countless different topics instead of volunteering. I would prefer learning more about how my computer works and how I can improve its functioning. The list goes on. All of these things have the potential to give you new skills applicable in some way to your future practice.

Look at the state of medical practice and access to care in the states where medical school is entered immediately after high school. Are the physicians in those states in some way inferior to those in the states? Is medical care inferior in those states because their physicians didn't spend enough time teaching preschoolers how to read? Please. Its bull$hit and everyone knows that. It forces us to abandon pursuing our unique interests in attempt to fit this artificial requirement for creating the perfect MD. Actually, you need only look at your parents' generation of physicians and see the quality of medical doctors prior to the implementation of these ridiculous requirements for applicants.

Also, it is not a part of "growing up". If it were universal among professionals to not modify their outward appearance in anyway other than to appear hygienic, then you would not see female physicians applying cosmetics to their faces or male physicians growing out contemporary facial hair styles. We all have some desire to look aesthetically pleasing and we each have a different personal ideal. So, I agree with one of the previous posts that we should not limit what is and is not acceptable in a professional setting. If we never expanded our minds where would we be? I am glad that people like the OP are out there to expand the boundaries of what is socially acceptable.

 

[WDeagle]

There are many other experiences/activities you can do in life besides research that could aid you far better in developing into an individual more suited for the medical profession. I would far prefer spending my time online reading about countless different topics instead of volunteering. I would prefer learning more about how my computer works and how I can improve its functioning. The list goes on. All of these things have the potential to give you new skills applicable in some way to your future practice.

Look at the state of medical practice and access to care in the states where medical school is entered immediately after high school. Are the physicians in those states in some way inferior to those in the states? Is medical care inferior in those states because their physicians didn't spend enough time teaching preschoolers how to read? Please. Its bull$hit and everyone knows that. It forces us to abandon pursuing our unique interests in attempt to fit this artificial requirement for creating the perfect MD. Actually, you need only look at your parents' generation of physicians and see the quality of medical doctors prior to the implementation of these ridiculous requirements for applicants.

Also, it is not a part of "growing up". If it were universal among professionals to not modify their outward appearance in anyway other than to appear hygienic, then you would not see female physicians applying cosmetics to their faces or male physicians growing out contemporary facial hair styles. We all have some desire to look aesthetically pleasing and we each have a different personal ideal. So, I agree with one of the previous posts that we should not limit what is and is not acceptable in a professional setting. If we never expanded our minds where would we be? I am glad that people like the OP are out there to expand the boundaries of what is socially acceptable.

1. Im sure that most people that do research and volunteer work have plenty of time to surf the internet.
2. Actually ive been told be several people that this generation of medical students are the most qualified and best prepared for medical school. Not only are our gpa's and mcats higher but because of widespread involvement in research and volunteer work we are overall better candidates. Remember that getting into medical school was about how much many you had and who you knew(are you rich and was your dad a doctor). People used to be more motivated by money to enter medical school. Because pre-meds are so involved with volunteer work these days they are altogether more altruistic in their motivations.
3. What does this have anything to do with expanding our minds? This is medical school admissions not a hippie drum circle. When it becomes commonplace and professional to wear body mods then go ahead and do it.

 

[phospho]

Yes, they would be. As would many of your future patients. I don't think of myself as particularly close-minded but I'd certainly give you a second look, and possibly not a cordial one.

Arm tats tend to be coverable except in scrubs.

Kids these days. Didn't your mama ever tell you to take your nose piercing out before a job interview?

so true!

I'm a pretty open-minded person, but I'm really conservative when it comes to things like this. When people start punching holes in their bodies to "express" themselves, then I know that there's something inherently wrong with them or whatever system/culture/religion/person/individual they are trying to represent.

I can most definitely tell you that it would be something that I would look down on if I was a patient.

Frankly speaking, I think that people who have to resort to such extreme types of modification to "fit in" (or who want to deliberately not fit in) have deeper issues they may need to address.

 

[schismal]

People are making this into a huge deal when it's really not. Just take them out.

I had five gauged piercings in high school (not huge, biggest was 00), and I haven't worn them in college. They've closed up a little (the 00 to maybe to a 6) and I just don't give them any consideration. No one mentions my ears around school, and no interviewer has so much as glanced at them. You might want to pull them out for a few days beforehand though so they can tighten up a bit, then just re-taper to get them back in after your interview.

 

[scrubsaresexy]

Does anyone else remember when a girls sports team (sorry, can't remember what sport or what team) went to the White House and was publicly ridiculed afterwards because many of them wore flip flops with their dresses?

Here's the deal:

Women who are trying to look professional should wear pants or conservative skirts (hit at the knee or below), closed toed shoes, hair up if it's longer than shoulder length, and should limit piercing to one pair of conservative earrings (none of those ridiculous long dangly earrings). If you're wearing a skirt, you had better have on a pair of pantyhose. I spend a lot of time in very formal business meetings, and I have yet to keep my hair down, wear peep toed shoes, or put earrings in the second set of holes that I have in my ears. This is because people will judge you based on your appearance. If someone showed up to an interview improperly dressed, I would assume that the interview didn't matter enough to her for her to dress appropriately. I would give the position to the person who took the time to dress appropriately.

If you want to leave your hair down every day of your life, go for it, but put it up in a bun or a twist, or at least put enough of it up that it's not hanging in your face for an interview. If you like peep toed shoes, wear them in your free time, but it's unacceptable for women to show their toes at formal interviews. You have plenty of days to show your individuality through your apperance, but for medical school interviews, strive for professionalism, not individuality.

Feel free to tell me how wrong I am, but I promise that these are society's rules, not mine.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

so true!

A) I'm a pretty open-minded person, but I'm really conservative when it comes to things like this. When people start punching holes in their bodies to "express" themselves, then I know that there's something inherently wrong with them or whatever system/culture/religion/person/individual they are trying to represent.

I can most definitely tell you that it would be something that I would look down on if I was a patient.

B) Frankly speaking, I think that people who have to resort to such extreme types of modification to "fit in" (or who want to deliberately not fit in) have deeper issues they may need to address.

A) hahaha

B) Why would you go into medicine when you are already an expert in psychology? Next time read a bit into body piercings and why people get them before posting.

Never take yourself too seriously. Hahahaha

 

[phospho]

B) Why would you go into medicine when you are already an expert in psychology?

i majored in psychobiology actually (not that it would give me the right to assume why people do what they do), and I've read a LOT about them... however, I never claimed I knew why people wore them... every person has their reasons...

and nice try with the bolding and taking my comments out of context... i said i was generally open-minded with almost everything except things like this...

👎

 

[236116]

B) Why would you go into medicine when you are already an expert in psychology? Next time read a bit into body piercings and why people get them before posting.

Excepting examples like the lip-disc people in Africa (don't know their name) or Maori tattooing; or the somewhat-standard practice of ear-piercing done by many females in this country, what, pray tell, is the rationale?

 

[mmmfood]

OP, I started gauging my ears in high school and continued through college until they reached a little over 19mm. I took them out about one year ago to let the holes shrink up for interviews and getting a real job. My holes are now a little over 00, but they look bigger when droopy because I stretched too fast.

After several interviews, no one has ever brought up my ears and I've gotten accepted. I understand why you're worrying, I did too, but it is not as big of a deal as you think. As for later down the road, after medical school, who knows? I'd like to think it won't hinder me, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I plan on buying nice looking plugs and equalizing them at 7/16ths eventually.

As for facial piercings, I just flipped my septum piercing up. I agree with it being unprofessional to leave a facial piercing in during an interview. I also flip it up at work, for the same reason, even though I don't have to.

If an interviewer had brought up my holes I would have told him why I gauged my ears. I have no regrets about gauging them (I loved the process and the look) and if a school is not going to accept me based on that than I don't want to be there.

 

[pianola]

Personally, I just want to know if the piercing hurts.