Even in pathology...

[oldfatman]

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just as in the rest of medicine, advancement in academia is based more on sex appeal than on any actual ability. You'll see this when you interview for fellowships. Sexy residents get jobs and fellowships. Guys, get buff. Girls, dust off that mini skirt suit.

Forget about your RISE exam scores, they don't matter in academia.

 

[handwriting]

I've also seen some pretty residents.

 

[MirkoCrocop]

just as in the rest of medicine, advancement in academia is based more on sex appeal than on any actual ability. You'll see this when you interview for fellowships. Sexy residents get jobs and fellowships. Guys, get buff. Girls, dust off that mini skirt suit.

Forget about your RISE exam scores, they don't matter in academia.

Forget pathology, welcome to life!

 

[mlw03]

just as in the rest of medicine, advancement in academia is based more on sex appeal than on any actual ability. You'll see this when you interview for fellowships. Sexy residents get jobs and fellowships. Guys, get buff. Girls, dust off that mini skirt suit.

Forget about your RISE exam scores, they don't matter in academia.

Sound a little bitter, eh? Care to provide some additional explanation and/or any evidence of your claim? There are good looking people (and uggos) in most fields.

 

[Pathologee]

My dad always said, ugly people need jobs too.

Sound a little bitter, eh? Care to provide some additional explanation and/or any evidence of your claim? There are good looking people (and uggos) in most fields.

 

[DrAwsome]

Sound a little bitter, eh? Care to provide some additional explanation and/or any evidence of your claim? There are good looking people (and uggos) in most fields.

I'm with you on this. There are some hot residents in all specialties, but there are some hideous ones in very competitive specialties too. Looks only get you so far.

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Hit the gym and hit the tanning salon. Pathology doesnt need anymore grenades working in it. We got enough already.

 

[Enkidu]

just as in the rest of medicine, advancement in academia is based more on sex appeal than on any actual ability. You'll see this when you interview for fellowships. Sexy residents get jobs and fellowships. Guys, get buff. Girls, dust off that mini skirt suit.

Forget about your RISE exam scores, they don't matter in academia.

Sounds like oldfatman got passed over

 

[2121115]

This is a no brainer. You know when people are talking about getting a job and they throw out vague intangible criteria like "communication skills" or "interpersonal skills"? This is the kind of thing they are talking about. Self-presentation is 90% of the battle. Not only looking good, but in general being the "kind of fit" they are looking for. In other words, yes - hit the gym, lose some weight, whiten your teeth, buy an interview suit from a reputable place where other young people would shop, don't display your tattoos, take out your tongue piercing on interview day, don't say "like" every 5 seconds, shake hands firmly and look the other person in the eye while you're doing it, know who works there and where they trained/went to medical school (i.e. where they are from) and use that to predict what casual conversation topics they may be interested in, etc, etc, etc...

 

[rollwithit]

Why would pathology or medicine be exempted from the rule that applies anywhere else? Technical competence gets you the interview. Intangibles take over after that. People want to work with people that are easy to get along with. Looks definitely play a part in that. Fortunately for the masses who aren't physically attractive, dressing well and having a pleasant attitude can make up for an ugly mug. My advice would be not to become bitter over the facts of life. Adapt and move on...

 

[vioxx]

The interview preparation should include watching VH1's Pickup Artist 🙂

 

[yaah]

People who don't get a position always need a "reason" why someone was picked ahead of them. Since it can never ever be any of the following:

1) Better match for the program
2) More intelligent
3) Harder working
4) More collegial
5) More interested in research/specialty of choice/etc

It often is posited that the TRUE reason is either good looks, personal connections, or bald face lying about true career path. In truth these are not typically significant factors. Personal connections can have some impact but that is typically in the first stage of the process only, and as for "bald face lying," well, one person's lie is another's "honest change in career plans." Good looks are not a factor, however good looks can be associated with confidence and interpersonal skills, which are factors.

 

[KCShaw]

And of course some people find good lookers intimidating and would rather hire someone they can dominate. It's kinda a circular and subjective argument that one can jump in and out of as it suits them. Like all good internet arguments.

 

[cjw0918]

I like the quote from Coco Chanel- "There are no ugly women, just lazy ones." I think it goes for men, too. Take care of yourself physically, pay attention to grooming, get yourself decent attire, and don't be an ass at the interview. You will go far. Amazing how many people screw up these simple things. Not saying you have to be a supermodel, just presentable and personable.

 

[lipomas]

This is bunk. Good looks don't really get you anywhere in medicine. That's just an excuse people use when they lose out to an attractive person. Bad looks don't really matter either. however, bad hygiene and behavior most certainly do matter.

 

[oldfatman]

This is bunk. Good looks don't really get you anywhere in medicine. That's just an excuse people use when they lose out to an attractive person. Bad looks don't really matter either. however, bad hygiene and behavior most certainly do matter.

This is life. Ignore my wisdom at your peril. Yes, I was passed over for pretty, happy-go-free, relaxed confident candidates. It was the year of the double graduating class. I came across as well groomed and smart, but too stressed and too desperate. In retrospect, being passed over for that particular job might have been one of the best things that could have happened to me. Thank you Lord, for unanswered prayers...

You don't have to be smart to be a fellow. No one is expecting you to be Einstein.

 

[Enkidu]

just as in the rest of medicine, advancement in academia is based more on sex appeal than on any actual ability. You'll see this when you interview for fellowships. Sexy residents get jobs and fellowships. Guys, get buff. Girls, dust off that mini skirt suit.

Forget about your RISE exam scores, they don't matter in academia.

Oh, this thread is cheering me up. I'm super sexy, so pathology should be a breeze.

 

[lipomas]

This is life. Ignore my wisdom at your peril. Yes, I was passed over for pretty, happy-go-free, relaxed confident candidates. It was the year of the double graduating class. I came across as well groomed and smart, but too stressed and too desperate. In retrospect, being passed over for that particular job might have been one of the best things that could have happened to me. Thank you Lord, for unanswered prayers...

You don't have to be smart to be a fellow. No one is expecting you to be Einstein.

Uh huh. That's your interpretation. Plus, you descibed yourself as "too stressed and too desperate." However that was conveyed to interviewers is likely to have a major impact on your chances. Looks, again, have extremely little to do with it. Unless of course your impression of your looks affects how you carry yourself.

I could reword your statement as, "I was passed over for happy-go-free, relaxed confident candidates...I came across as smart but too stressed and too desperate."

Taking the looks out of it your statement now even has more power.