Pictures on apps

[ambernikel]

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I just recently received a MD secondary app and it requests a picture to be attached. Do any of the DO schools do this because the only other pic I have given anyone was on my MCAT. I picked one where I was grinning ear to ear. (I find it irresistible to shoot a huge grin when being photo'd for serious stuff).
Anyway, I'm kind of offended that they want a pic, why do they care??? And I don't really think it will work against me, but honestly, why do they need a pic?
Any body else feel weird about this?

 

[dr.z]

I think CCOM asked for a picture, but it was optional.

I was told schools ask for picture since the question about ethnicity is optional. From the photos, they can tell what ethnicity you are.

I don't know how true this is, but most MD schools will ask you for your picture.

 

[kumark13]

I also sent one in with my CCOM secondary, it was optional.

I have heard that they ask for the picture so that when they are making admissions decisions they like to see who the person is so that they can try to remember them from the interview. Just what I have heard, not necessarily fact. Maybe they only want it because they only want beautiful people at their school and this is the way to determine that. lol

 

[djnels01]

amber, can you send me a pick of you so I can determine if you should attach it to your secondaries? I promise I'm a great judge of *ahem* character...

j/k 🙂

 

[FutureDocDO]

amber, can you send me a pick of you so I can determine if you should attach it to your secondaries? I promise I'm a great judge of *ahem* character...

j/k 🙂

Very sly 🙂.

 

[ambernikel]

amber, can you send me a pick of you so I can determine if you should attach it to your secondaries? I promise I'm a great judge of *ahem* character...

j/k 🙂

 

[supersash]

i think it is bogus that they ask for a pic, and i agree that is definitly to try and "tell" someone's race, which is also bogus. i happen to be half middle eastern, but am pale, blonde haired with blue eyes. people are always surprised when i raise my hand when my foreign sounding name comes out.

personally, i am against the whole race/age/sex part of an application. may the best people be accepted. sorry for the rant, i just had to chime in! :-D

 

[glp]

if you apply to UNT via TMDSAS they require a picture. i seriously think the main purpose is to connect a face to an application after the interviews when decisions are being made. i dont think there is some racial ulterior motive. being from oklahoma, i know alot of card-carrying native americans that look as white as i do. so in these cases a picture wouldnt do much good.

 

[supersash]

if you apply to UNT via TMDSAS they require a picture. i seriously think the main purpose is to connect a face to an application after the interviews when decisions are being made. i dont think there is some racial ulterior motive. being from oklahoma, i know alot of card-carrying native americans that look as white as i do. so in these cases a picture wouldnt do much good.

i think the reason for the picture is not for those who are going to declare themselves as a minority (afr. amer, hisp, etc), but for those checking "other". they really want to see who is an "other", and who is of the majority and trying to mask their "averageness".

i am hard pressed to believe it is to connect a face to an interview, not to say they dont also use it for that purpose. i think it just another way to discriminate! oh what a crazy world we live in!

the application process should be about merit only!

 

[medhacker]

I think they do use the pictures for most of the reasons previously cited. However, no one is exempt from possible discrimination. I believe adding the picture opens the door to possible discrimination based on looks.

 

[FutureDocDO]

They can judge you during interviews as well. For all we know there could be a race checklist on their evaluation forms.

 

[ambernikel]

It all just feels weird to me. We don't take patients insurance information until after they are seen because we are required to provide the best care regardless. Why open ourselves up to law suits if they can be avoided. I don't know that anybody would do that in my clinic, but at least this way we can say for sure that no-one did. You would kind of think that would apply to this process. Especially since they do have race/sex/age as issues. So maybe it's just for recognizing interviewee to whatever, but isn't that what our name and ssn is for??? I mean, they get the pics before they schedule the interview. I honestly think my pic will neither help nor hurt me... but it still bugs me. Maybe I should get it taken with some water flowing in front of a sports car or something to increase my chances...has anyone seen where I put my stethoscope?? just kidding. 😉
Sorry its late, I've been studying biochem for many many hours and I have an inherently strange sense of humor.