Question about tattoo

[Confusion90]

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I have searched the old threads but have not found the answer I am looking for. I have been accepted to a few medical schools and I start this fall. My problem is that I have a full sleeve tattoo on my right arm. Is this something that can get you thrown out of med school? I know people say you won't get in with one but I did. with long sleeves it is not visible. How will this affect my time in medical school. I have tattoo shields that are flesh colored thin covers that slide on your arm and make the tattoo not visible and I plan to always wear these in a clinical setting. Do I have to cover them in class and everything. Will the school get mad? I created this account to remain anonymous obviously

 

[NYCNative]

I have searched the old threads but have not found the answer I am looking for. I have been accepted to a few medical schools and I start this fall. My problem is that I have a full sleeve tattoo on my right arm. Is this something that can get you thrown out of med school? I know people say you won't get in with one but I did. with long sleeves it is not visible. How will this affect my time in medical school. I have tattoo shields that are flesh colored thin covers that slide on your arm and make the tattoo visible and I plan to always wear these in a clinical setting. Do I have to cover them in class and everything. Will the school get mad? I created this account to remain anonymous obviously

The school can / will do absolutely nothing. The extent to which I would worry about it would be how your professors / potential LOR writers feel about it. Still, as long as you aren't a tough guy / douchebag, I think they'll look past it and just evaluate your performance. Although it still might color their perception of you, "Even though he has this tattoo, he's great on the wards" or "I knew he was going to be a huge tool on the first day when I saw this giant tattoo" -- either way, I think your performance will be at least 90% of what you are evaluated on in the end.

 

[Catalystik]

@Guero for his thoughts

 

[Guero]

@Guero for his thoughts

Thanks for the mention, @Catalystik.

@OP, I have both arms sleeved, my entire back done, and tattoos on both legs, two of which are clearly offensive on my legs. In a nutshell, I obviously don't wear shorts. I cover them in clinical and formal settings, usually underarmour beneath scrubs or long sleeved business attire with white coat.

I usually let them show in class, but was nervous at first. I kind of gauged the profs and student body as I went. No one has ever said anything other than how cool it is that I exist. The head/chair of anatomy actually told me I didn't have to cover up my tattoos when I pulled my sweater sleeves down out of habit as he approached me outside the caf.

Let me know if you need anything else. GL

 

[Confusion90]

Thanks for the mention, @Catalystik.

@OP, I have both arms sleeved, my entire back done, and tattoos on both legs, two of which are clearly offensive on my legs. In a nutshell, I obviously don't wear shorts. I cover them in clinical and formal settings, usually underarmour beneath scrubs or long sleeved business attire with white coat.

I usually let them show in class, but was nervous at first. I kind of gauged the profs and student body as I went. No one has ever said anything other than how cool it is that I exist. The head/chair of anatomy actually told me I didn't have to cover up my tattoos when I pulled my sweater sleeves down out of habit as he approached me outside the caf.

Let me know if you need anything else. GL

Thank you so much. That makes me feel a lot better. I love my tattoos, I just don't want them causing problems for me

 

[Guero]

Thank you so much. That makes me feel a lot better. I love my tattoos, I just don't want them causing problems for me

You're welcome. Also, FWIW, during surgical rotations I intend to arrive early enough to scrub in before the attending if at all possible, at least until my performance is seen without my tattoos bearing any judgement. Because you can't cover your tattoos until you're fully scrubbed in. We'll likely be scrubbing next to the attending several times and definitely in front of junior and senior residents most of the time. Scrubbing is one of the fundamental skills you're evaluated on during surgical rotations. You master that and maintaining sterility before you're even considered for tasks in the OR.

GL