Residency and internet footprint

[fleetgoddess]

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I'm not applying to residency this year but will be next year. I have many things on the internet that are about me: sports, research, but I'm not really worried about any of it. What I'm most worried about is someone has my name as their twitter name. My name isn't that common, but I guess there are a couple in the country, and some younger girl twitters a lot and it comes up on google searches. I really don't agree with anything she says and most of it is about drinking and illegal drugs. I hear about being careful about blogging and such so I'd assume people could look at this and think its me. Is anyone worried about stuff like that coming up while applying? I remember reading an article on student doctor about googling yourself and making sure your internet persona was clean and well mine is but she has the same name and portrays herself in a way I would not. I imagine I can't do much about it. I wish twitter didn't rank so high on relevance in searches so that its on the first page. Should I be worried or will this likely not matter.

 

[njbmd]

I'm not applying to residency this year but will be next year. I have many things on the internet that are about me: sports, research, but I'm not really worried about any of it. What I'm most worried about is someone has my name as their twitter name. My name isn't that common, but I guess there are a couple in the country, and some younger girl twitters a lot and it comes up on google searches. I really don't agree with anything she says and most of it is about drinking and illegal drugs. I hear about being careful about blogging and such so I'd assume people could look at this and think its me. Is anyone worried about stuff like that coming up while applying? I remember reading an article on student doctor about googling yourself and making sure your internet persona was clean and well mine is but she has the same name and portrays herself in a way I would not. I imagine I can't do much about it. I wish twitter didn't rank so high on relevance in searches so that its on the first page. Should I be worried or will this likely not matter.

If this person is younger and her stuff doesn't match you,then you dont' have anything to worry about. Otherwise, you have to find a way to explain that it's not you.

 

[aloepathic]

That's what the additional info section is for (this is a much more common problem than you would think). By mentioning it you not only clear up confusion but also demonstrate that you're aware of what it means to have a professional appearance/reputation (in that you're worried that this other person may reflect poorly on you). Sort of a win-win.

 

[fleetgoddess]

She's just about two years younger and she doesn't look unlike me in that little photo. That was the main reason I was concerned we have similar hair color. Thanks. That makes me feel a bit better.