Modeling: advantage or disadvantage?

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Dil Pickles

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Hi all,

In addition to being a full-time student, I model. Not just for fun; I am employed by a modeling agency and I get paid to for it. I am getting ready to begin applying for medical schools, and I was wondering if it would help me or hurt me by including this in my applications. I am not sure if it would make me stand out or if it instead would make me seem vain or childish. What do you all think? Thanks for your time.
 
I don't think it would necessarily hurt you. I wouldn't try to make a big deal about it on my application, though. If you didn't have a lot of other work history, I guess it could help to show that you were working.
 
inb4 'pics or it didn't happen' :naughty:










But seriously, I wouldn't make it a most important activity or put it in my PS.
 
I wouldnt necessarily make it the highlight of your application, but you should definitely use it as one of your activities. It will make you stand out and being unique is important in the application process. As long as you discuss what you've learned from modeling and don't come off as being vain, I feel like it could work in your favor to include it in your app.
 
A job is a job. The only way I can see it being a disadvantage is if it was some kind of porn modeling and even then you can just be vague about it and nobody would know. The only advantage I can see it having is that I doubt there are that many people applying to medical schools who are models so I guess it can make you a bit unique but really it's just a job.
 
My friend modeled during med school. It's nice to have a paying gig.

I think whether it will hurt or help depends on the reader, and you can't plan for that. Just be honest and true to yourself. If it's important enough to you to mention (personally I'd list all paid employment), then have it on your app and try not to worry about how others will view it.
 
So I guess we're not doing pics anymore.

[edit]
Never mind. No thanks jeff lol.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your input everybody. By the way, I am male so I don't think you all would want to see any pics haha
 
I would think it wouldn't make or break you, but I was at an interview this cycle.. one of the types where 25 people tell you something about themselves.. well it goes around the table for about 30 minutes, the last guy goes on explaining about how he is training to me a model/bodybuilder and what not... typing this it doesn't sound awkward at all.. but omg prob one of the most awkward things I experienced on the interview trail.. nobody responded.. the dean just looked and him.. and then he started backpedaling and came up with some other point it was intense.
 
You're a guy?
NOT seeing any real advantages...

List it as paid employment, the value being you were able to do well in school while also working. Will it make you look vain and silly? IMO, a possible risk - one you may need to downplay in your interviews.
 
Dil Pickles said:
Hi all,

In addition to being a full-time student, I model. Not just for fun; I am employed by a modeling agency and I get paid to for it. I am getting ready to begin applying for medical schools, and I was wondering if it would help me or hurt me by including this in my applications. I am not sure if it would make me stand out or if it instead would make me seem vain or childish. What do you all think? Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

Can it help you? "Duh and/or hola." And there are plenty of other studies out there that link attractiveness to success. So, just by being attractive enough to model professionally, you're already more likely to be successful during med school applications and the attractiveness-success connotation will probably resonate positively with a reader looking at that EC. At the same time, purely on paper, med schools seem to really latch on to unusual ECs, so modeling could be precisely the kind of thing that catches their attention. It seems like every matriculating class is introduced with words akin to "your class is extremely diverse. You have a Marshall Scholar, a Somethingstani refugee, a professional model, an opera singer...". Just be sure to come across as humble and self-deprecating both on paper and in person.

One way to stand out even further might be to use your modeling to help others. For example, you could start something with your industry colleagues like an after-school program for children who can't read good and wanna learn to do other stuff good too.
 
Dil Pickles said:
Hi all,

In addition to being a full-time student, I model. Not just for fun; I am employed by a modeling agency and I get paid to for it. I am getting ready to begin applying for medical schools, and I was wondering if it would help me or hurt me by including this in my applications. I am not sure if it would make me stand out or if it instead would make me seem vain or childish. What do you all think? Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

If you're smart about it, you can turn it into a huge diversity hook. It teaches patience, professionalism, and how to carry oneself which can translate into good bedside manner.
 
Dil Pickles said:
Hi all,

In addition to being a full-time student, I model. Not just for fun; I am employed by a modeling agency and I get paid to for it. I am getting ready to begin applying for medical schools, and I was wondering if it would help me or hurt me by including this in my applications. I am not sure if it would make me stand out or if it instead would make me seem vain or childish. What do you all think? Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

Well that depends on how you write about it. If it was just a job for you, and not a big deal otherwise, then write it as such. But if it TRULY was a lifechanging experience and defines you as a person, than write about it. Don't focus on issues that may come across as shallow, but focus on what you learned about yourself, the industry and the lifestyle of models. I'm guessing that this isn't porno or anything raunchy, so there's no reason to hide your modelling from admissions.
 
physiologist said:
If you're smart about it, you can turn it into a huge diversity hook. It teaches patience, professionalism, and how to carry oneself which can translate into good bedside manner.
Click to expand...

Cameron Russell, who did a TedTalk on modeling, would probably disagree. You and the OP should look her up; her TedTalk was pretty interesting. When I think "model," those traits don't necessarily come to mind, RE: Naomi Campbell, who throws shoes at people.

My advice would be to include it, of course, but to carefully and sincerely come off as humble and not narcissistic or self-entitled in whatever you write/say during interviews. People have a lot of assumptions about models and you want to define yourself, not let others define you.
 
physiologist said:
If you're smart about it, you can turn it into a huge diversity hook. It teaches patience, professionalism, and how to carry oneself which can translate into good bedside manner.
Click to expand...

+1000 i had a slight similar EC and did this... people love this
 
I think it's an interesting activity that will make your application more unique. You could say things like you know how to compose your appearance/show emotion which could be useful in medicine
 
It's definitely different so it should make you a little more unique... 🙂

Also, you're probably good as long as you aren't a self-proclaimed model on ModelMayhem.com. If you were, then you should definitely list another EC as being a "Professional Flake." :naughty:
 
churrytree said:
Cameron Russell, who did a TedTalk on modeling, would probably disagree. You and the OP should look her up; her TedTalk was pretty interesting. When I think "model," those traits don't necessarily come to mind, RE: Naomi Campbell, who throws shoes at people.

My advice would be to include it, of course, but to carefully and sincerely come off as humble and not narcissistic or self-entitled in whatever you write/say during interviews. People have a lot of assumptions about models and you want to define yourself, not let others define you.
Click to expand...

My mom was a model and my dad is a designer. I'm very familiar with the "profession". I agree 100% with this. You're golden as long as you do whatever you can to DEFY the model stereotypes! Whatever you do, do NOT do anything even remotely douchey.
 
There was a really good meme on here before that ended with "adcomms agree: models underrepresented in medicine" roflmao
 
I don't see why it can hurt, but as in all job interview, it depends on how you manage it, the interviewer can ask why did you modeled and as long as you answer honestly without a studied answer and show interest in your medicine career and the job you are searching, it shouldn't be a problem
 
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