The programs can't download your picture until after they evaluate your application. I know the OP was kidding (got a laugh out of me) but people actually seem concerned about this! Your picture has absolutely no effect on your application, I think it's just so the program can remember who you are after they interview you. I'll probably just have my school scan in the pic my school took at our white coat ceremony 3 years ago, because I'm too lazy to have another one taken.
This is not entirely correct. The way ERAS handles photographs is new this year, so advice / descriptions from last year are no longer valid.
LAST YEAR: Applicants uploaded photos, which were automatically downloaded to programs. Photos were "screened" (i.e. not visible) until an applicant was selected for interview.
THIS YEAR: Applicants upload photos. They then assign them individually to programs, much like PS's and LOR's. Once assigned to programs, the photos are instantly viewable. However, programs have the ability to "block" all photos -- this prevents the program from seeing any of the photos, regardless of interview status. Blocking is all or nothing -- either I see them all or I can't see any!
I called ERAS about this. Apparently the concern was that PD's could check the "Selected for interview" box, look at the photo, and then decide whether to interview or not. So, this year students have complete control.
Thus, if you are worried that your photo may prevent you from getting an interview (like, for example, you have
a third eye ** for some reason, on my machine this pops up a "page not found" message, but when reloaded the image appears???), then you should not release your photo until after you have an interview scheduled (or after your interview is completed, if you are really paranoid).
If you don't care, then just release it now.
