ERAS Photo

[PlutoBoy]

Hi. Quick question here before I go out and have my picture taken. 😎

Should the photo include only your face or do you have a little more flexibility with it? For example, can I take it with my lab coat and from the chest up?

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[IHeartNerds]

do NOT take your picture with a white coat on. this has been told to me countless times from numerous sources.

it should include at least the top of your shoulders, if in fact it's supposed to be passport format, as ERAS says.

For my picture, you can almost see the suit's first button, and my dean's office didn't have any problems with it.

 

[killerleaf]

Please, no "glamour shots".

 

[ShyRem]

Gee, and I took my picture with my digital point and shoot camera at home against a wall at around 10pm at night. I was too cheap to get a professional picture done.

 

[IHeartNerds]

Gee, and I took my picture with my digital point and shoot camera at home against a wall at around 10pm at night. I was too cheap to get a professional picture done.

I had my roommate take the pic with my iphone. classsssssy.

 

[PlutoBoy]

Gee, and I took my picture with my digital point and shoot camera at home against a wall at around 10pm at night. I was too cheap to get a professional picture done.

I had my roommate take the pic with my iphone. classsssssy.

Hehehe, I wanted a nice picture, but now Im not sure if the one I have is okay 😀.

 

[gutonc]

Gee, and I took my picture with my digital point and shoot camera at home against a wall at around 10pm at night. I was too cheap to get a professional picture done.

I had my wife take one of me while we were at a wedding. Best "passport photo" I've ever had taken. Used it for fellowship apps too.

 

[toothless rufus]

I only found out about the pic as I started my ERAS. Are they absolutely necessary? I'm 1000 miles away from my school now.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I only found out about the pic as I started my ERAS. Are they absolutely necessary? I'm 1000 miles away from my school now.

I know the pain

 

[DoctaJay]

It should include your head and shoulders. NO LAB COAT. NO GLAMOUR SHOTS. No books in the background (I was told). Plain background. Shirt and tie for guys. And professional clothes for girls. I used my buddy's Nikon D60 to take mine. Came out looking great. Just make sure you resize it in photoshop before you email it to your dean's office because the size will fill a whole page if you don't

 

[gstrub]

What's with these hidden rules of no white coat? I submitted a photo from my white coat ceremony (just shoulders and up) and was told it was an excellent ERAS photo from the deans office. Where does it say "NO WHITE COATS"?

 

[Pkboi24]

What's with these hidden rules of no white coat? I submitted a photo from my white coat ceremony (just shoulders and up) and was told it was an excellent ERAS photo from the deans office. Where does it say "NO WHITE COATS"?

I hear some schools have all of their students wear white coats. Different strokes for different folks. Don't freak.

 

[UserNameNeeded]

I only found out about the pic as I started my ERAS. Are they absolutely necessary? I'm 1000 miles away from my school now.

Why can't you just email the photo to your school?

Our school just uploaded our ID badge pics by default and we're all wearing white coats in 'em. Oh well.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

White coats are fine. Where do you guys get this stuff anyway? 😉

 

[notdeadyet]

I hear some schools have all of their students wear white coats. Different strokes for different folks. Don't freak.

Lots do. Lots of schools take a shot of students with their white coats on that they use for their IDs.

I think the "no white coats" thing probably came from too many students going to Sears in their white coats, putting a foot up on a stool, an elbow on their knee and resting their chin on their face as they gazed into the distance importantly. This is not an exaggeration. That one made the rounds....

 

[deleted339604]

Lots do. Lots of schools take a shot of students with their white coats on that they use for their IDs.

I think the "no white coats" thing probably came from too many students going to Sears in their white coats, putting a foot up on a stool, an elbow on their knee and resting their chin on their face as they gazed into the distance importantly. This is not an exaggeration. That one made the rounds....

hahahaha

 

[toothless rufus]

Why can't you just email the photo to your school?

Our school just uploaded our ID badge pics by default and we're all wearing white coats in 'em. Oh well.

But are they necessary or expected? What's the point? I just don't want to be bothered with it.

 

[notdeadyet]

But are they necessary or expected? What's the point? I just don't want to be bothered with it.

Programs don't look at your pictures until the interview process. When folks sit around and start talking about different applicants they're considering, they can look at your photo and say, "Oh, him..."

You can not send a photo. But you can also run the risk of folks talking about your application without remembering specifically who you are, after interviewing dozens of people.

Send the photo. It can't hurt you and not sending one has the potential to do so.

 

[toothless rufus]

Programs don't look at your pictures until the interview process. When folks sit around and start talking about different applicants they're considering, they can look at your photo and say, "Oh, him..."

You can not send a photo. But you can also run the risk of folks talking about your application without remembering specifically who you are, after interviewing dozens of people.

Send the photo. It can't hurt you and not sending one has the potential to do so.

That does make sense. Thanks!

 

[killerleaf]

when the selection committee is sitting in the rank order list meeting in January after interviewing everybody and their brother in November and December, the photos are an excellent tool to help jog memories of who exactly they are talking about. Especially if you have a couple of applicants with SALA names...🙄 "O, yeah, that one!" has been uttered countless times. countless.

 

[NeurologyICU]

Is it true that the programs can look at your ERAS photo only after they have invited you for interview or is that a myth?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Is it true that the programs can look at your ERAS photo only after they have invited you for interview or is that a myth?

Each program can choose what information to "screen" -- meaning that it can't be seen until it's unscreened. We personally choose to screen photos until our interview decisions are made, and then unscreen them. Programs could choose to unscreen photos right from the beginning, if they wish.

 

[NeurologyICU]

Each program can choose what information to "screen" -- meaning that it can't be seen until it's unscreened. We personally choose to screen photos until our interview decisions are made, and then unscreen them. Programs could choose to unscreen photos right from the beginning, if they wish.

That makes sense. Thanks aPD!

 

[MedicineForLife 777]

How strict are programs in terms of the photo size? The ERAS user guide says it is to measure between 2.5 by 3.5 inches and no more than 3 by 4. Is it ok if my pic is a little smaller than 2.5 by 3.5?

 

[Pkboi24]

Lots do. Lots of schools take a shot of students with their white coats on that they use for their IDs.

I think the "no white coats" thing probably came from too many students going to Sears in their white coats, putting a foot up on a stool, an elbow on their knee and resting their chin on their face as they gazed into the distance importantly. This is not an exaggeration. That one made the rounds....

Not that the image isn't a funny one, but how does one rest his chin on his face?

 

[kdburton]

Is there any way to look at our photo through ERAS? My school had a professional studio come in to take pics of us for our medical school composite and then they uploaded those same photos to ERAS, so I just wanted to take a look at it

 

[NeurologyICU]

Is there any way to look at our photo through ERAS? My school had a professional studio come in to take pics of us for our medical school composite and then they uploaded those same photos to ERAS, so I just wanted to take a look at it

From our end, I don't think so.

 

[coup de chance]

From our end, I don't think so.

I asked one of the staff members in my dean's office to confirm that the correct photo was uploaded to ERAS, and he emailed me back a screen capture. I'm not sure whether it was the same size / resolution / layout as a program director would see, but still that gives you an idea of what you submit.

 

[erectorspinae]

Each program can choose what information to "screen" -- meaning that it can't be seen until it's unscreened. We personally choose to screen photos until our interview decisions are made, and then unscreen them. Programs could choose to unscreen photos right from the beginning, if they wish.

So I'm a photo taken at a wedding with a non solid background is a poor choice? I just assumed as long as you dont look like a jackass anything goes.

 

[notdeadyet]

Not that the image isn't a funny one, but how does one rest his chin on his face?

Resting chin on fist. Good catch.

 

[notdeadyet]

I'm a little surprised by how many folks are resistant to this.

Just put on your shirt and jacket. Heck, tuck your shirt into your boxers if you want. Stand in front of a white(ish) wall in your house and have a friend click a photo of your head and shoulders with a cheap digital camera. Done.

 

[bkpa2med]

I'm a little surprised by how many folks are resistant to this.

Just put on your shirt and jacket. Heck, tuck your shirt into your boxers if you want. Stand in front of a white(ish) wall in your house and have a friend click a photo of your head and shoulders with a cheap digital camera. Done.

Exactly.