Photo

[volvulus]

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When do programs get to download the photo. Is it when thewy decide to interview? Also, if I don't have a photo uploaded yet will that make programs wait to consider my application until one is available to them?

 

[rirriri]

they downloaded my photo at the same time they downloaded the rest of my application.

however, i'm not sure how significant the photo is or not.....your best bet is to send it in!

cheers

 

[grouptherapy]

i'm not answering the OP's questions directly but concerning the photo-


send it in. you never want to make it seem that you're hiding something, are lazy or careless. also make sure you fill out all the boxes on your app including race, etc.

 

[Clue]

I got two interview offers the day after they scanned my photo. Coincidence? I think not.

 

[ecf1975do]

it is my understanding after reading the ERAS info book that the photo is not able to be viewed until an interview is given. correct me if i am wrong. does the photo appear in the ADTS section when scanned?

 

[Idiopathic]

you are correct. the photo download/interview was not a coincidence, but not in the way that the above poster implies...the interview offer is made, and THEN the photo downloaded. any other route would be potentially fertile ground for lawsuits.

on a related note, i had a friend who was from S. Africa (he was white), who told me a friend of his had applied and, of course, put 'African-America' on his app. When they interviewed this individual and saw he was white...well, lets just say they felt compeeled to accept him. Soon thereafter is when this school started requesting photos. I know this is probably an urban legend (read: lie), but it sure makes you think...

 

[Idiopathic]

Oops...forgot the forum for a minute. The above happened (allegedly) at med. school interview. *sheepish grin*

 

[Scrubbs]

I would definately recommend sending in your photo, though I never actually did it 🙄 . My school had a deadline that I missed, so I ended up either emailing my photo to the programs I got interviews from, and/or bringing a pic with me on interview day. Wasn't the smartest move I've ever made, but it didn't seem to make a huge difference in the long run - I got my top program anyway. On the flip side, I was the only one who they had a color photo of, since the ADTS one downloads in black and white 😉 .

 

[keith77]

It is true, that the picture cannot be seen by programs until they check a box that states they will interview you. However, they can then uncheck the box, and the photo disappears.

In other words, they don't have to give you an interview to see your picture.

 

[mailbuddy]

Do you think it is OK if I send programs an email saying that I am applying to their program..etc and after my signature I put my photo??... or may they interpret this wrongly?

 

[Asher]

I would strongly recommend that you do not send a photo in an email to the programs to which you are applying. Your correspondence with them should be professional and this should be reflected in any signature that you use. I doubt that any program will choose to interview you based on your appearance so it is likely that doing this would only harm you. Plus, many people get annoyed by receiving emails with photos that take a long time to download.

I've heard horror stories through the grapevine of applicants sending in inappropriate photos (i.e., wearing party t-shirts or cropped photos from weddings).

 

[Scrubbs]

Mailbuddy... it is more appropriate to include a picture in your thank you letter/email. Why would you send a letter now, saying that you were applying? Your ERAS app sufficiently says that you are interested in the program... 🙄

 

[mailbuddy]

Thanks for the advice... Yes you are right. I had heard that it facilitated them to remember you for/after interviews, as they have so many candidates so I guess maybe after interviews in the thank you letters I think about including it.

 

[mexsurgeon]

I am FMG and almost all of my applications my photo was downloaded when I check the ADTs but havent heard from any interviews , what do you think this means??

😕

 

[FUBAR]

mex, i wouldnt worry too much about it man. It is still early, and I REALLY dont think that your photo has anything to do with whether or not you get any interviews. It also depends what specialty you are applying to. I am an IMG also, applying for general surgery. i submitted my app the week after opening day, and to this date I have only received 5 interviews out of 170 programs I applied to. All are community based programs, no university programs yet. it is still early. I think programs, particularly university programs wont even start looking at app's until mid to late october. Also, keep in mind that as an IMG applicant your app will not be high up on anyone's list, so even if they would send u an interview, it is unlikely to be the first they send out. So just sit back and relax, they will start coming in soon. Believe me when i tell you this, i was feeling the same way you are right now, but then I got an interview, and a couple of more came in. Now I am just resigned to waiting cuz it isnt worth it to go crazy with anxiety worrying about it. You'll be fine, just give it some time.

 

[dbiddy808]

Cleveland Clinic sent me a rejection on 9/23, and then downloaded my picture on 9/26. What does this mean? Is it a mistake? I think some programs don't know about this rule and just download everybody's picture.

 

[FUBAR]

now that is wierd. i've never heard of that before. well, i am pulling for you man. hopefully it was a mistake and they will correct it by sending you an invite. good luck...............

 

[temujim]

Let me get this straight - programs cannot download your photo, as indicated by ADTS, until they decide to interview you?

Or can they download it as keith77 indicates, but cannot view the photo until they check some box - therefore meaning the ADTS download is of no significance?

 

[Sessamoid]

Unless your photo is really bizarre or inapprorpiate, it shouldn't have any effect at all on getting or not getting an interview. Mostly what it's used for is when it comes time to make the rank list, it helps to have a photograph to put a face to jog the memories of the interviewers. Otherwise, all we have to go by are the comments we wrote at the time.

On the other hand, not having a photo with your file at all could lead to your being forgotten when it comes time to make the rank list.

 

[Jingojango]

What happens if a program offers an interview and then retracts it after downloading your picture ? Is it time to consult plastics???😉

BTW, I don't think the picture has any correlate to interview invites...but that's just my opinion.

 

[sunny9505]

I have had multiple programs (over 6) download the picture, but not offer an interview.

 

[ckent]

I agree, it doesn't seem like the whole downloading photo only after granting an interview rumor is true. Just about all programs that I applied to downloaded my pic right after it was uploaded.

 

[goldenboy]

same here,...all the programs i applied to have downloaded my snap...