Secondary Application Photo

[Lilbird123]

I have just received my first secondary application and it requests a photo. I was wondering if this photo would be sufficient or if I should take another wearing business casual or something like that. I wasnt expecting to have to submit a photo, so I'm completely lost on what is a good photo to submit. please help

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Toutie]

View attachment 220662

I have just received my first secondary application and it requests a photo. I was wondering if this photo would be sufficient or if I should take another wearing business casual or something like that. I wasnt expecting to have to submit a photo, so I'm completely lost on what is a good photo to submit. please help

Put on a nice shirt and go have a passport photo taken at CVS or somewhere like that. You need to look nice. This is the photo they will be looking at when discussing you in adcom meetings.

Do NOT use...a Glamour Shots pic, Graduation Photo, Prom photo, selfie in the bathroom mirror...any others I'm forgetting @gyngyn ?

 

[rxrd]

For your own anonymity, I don't think it would be a great idea to upload your pic publicly on SDN. From a purely premed standpoint/having applied to other stuff, I think you might want a bit more lighting?

 

[blackroses]

Please don't submit what is obviously a selfie in casual clothes.

 

[Lilbird123]

Okay, So this photo is not acceptable. I have some business casual clothes in which I can take a photo. So maybe take a photo outside with better lighting? And also I need to have someone else take the photo, because selfies are not okay? I have found conflicting info on the forums here. some say selfies are okay and others dont. I am very confused, But I will try to get a more professional looking photo to be safe.

 

[bbbcccppp]

G

 

[7331poas]

1) its a photo for a professional school application that may determine the rest of your life. Go get a good shot from someone
2) There aint nothing casual about this: shirt, tie, jacket at least
3) Selfies are never appropriate for any kind of application at any time. Selfies should be used for yourself
4) passport photo is the simplest professional way to get this

On the other hand, this photo is simply to make sure you are the person you claim to be when you show up for an interview. I see no reason you cannot wear a T shirt.

 

[Lilbird123]

On the other hand, this photo is simply to make sure you are the person you claim to be when you show up for an interview. I see no reason you cannot wear a T shirt.

That was what I thought, but I guess I will dress up just to be safe

 

[bannie22]

Play the game and dress business. No need for the risk right? You cant win at this, you can only lose.

Selfies are fine though as long as they look decent. Selfies nowadays look even better than stuff u get from the photobooth

 

[Lilbird123]

.

 

[efle]

I understand that I must be professional and present myself that way. I wasn't even expecting to have to submit a photo so this caught me off guard. I read that this picture is just so they know what you will look like; I found many people on here who stated that they wore a T-shirt in their photo and it turned out fine. Im going to dress up just to be safe, but you seem to think I am an idiot, which I am not. I have been preparing for this my entire college career. I got on this forum to ask for advice not to be berated by you. Go check out my stats I posted on another forum. I know what Im doing, I just wasn't sure about this picture. It was an honest mistake.

lmao, he wasn't even responding to you, please get off the internet and go back to your safe space

 

[Lilbird123]

lmao, he wasn't even responding to you, please get off the internet and go back to your safe space

I don't need a safe space. Pretentious attitudes just get on my nerves.

 

[Toutie]

I understand that I must be professional and present myself that way. I wasn't even expecting to have to submit a photo so this caught me off guard. I read that this picture is just so they know what you will look like; I found many people on here who stated that they wore a T-shirt in their photo and it turned out fine. Im going to dress up just to be safe, but you seem to think I am an idiot, which I am not. I have been preparing for this my entire college career. I got on this forum to ask for advice not to be berated by you. Go check out my stats I posted on another forum. I know what Im doing, I just wasn't sure about this picture. It was an honest mistake.

His reply is to the guy who said to wear a T-shirt, not specifically to you.

Every single year this topic comes up and every single year people want to use completely inappropriate photos. This is the first thread on this topic for this application season, so @gonnif post was primarily a public service announcement to everyone reading this thread.

 

[Lilbird123]

His reply is to the guy who said to wear a T-shirt, not specifically to you.

Every single year this topic comes up and every single year people want to use completely inappropriate photos. This is the first thread on this topic for this application season, so @gonnif post was primarily a public service announcement to everyone reading this thread.

got it.

 

[7331poas]

Because you dont get a second chance to make a good first impression.

-Do you want an adcom to open your application and, after looking at professionally dressed and professionally photographed applicants all day, sees you in a tee shirt in a bad selfie, what kind of impression does that make?
-Do you realize that at each individual school at least 80% of applications must be rejected prior to interview and the first impression you make apparently not even making the effort to be presentable?
-Do you doctors coming up to patients in tee shirts and jeans or in a tie/lab coat?
-Do you see that medical schools are trying to decide who will make a good physician and a picture is worth a thousand words, though a bad picture in a tee shirt only needs a few, such as "WTF?" and "poor presentation" ?
-Do you have any idea what I am taking about as, this should be inherently obvious to anyone applying to a professional position as it shows, on its face, an understanding that you behave, act and appear professional?
-Do you know that I find it truly amazing and utterly baffling that bright, overachieving, allegedly mature college students who are applying to medical school need to be told any of this?

My impression is that adcoms are not so shallow. But who am I but a starry eyed premed.

On the other hand I am baffled that a professional forum poster is trying to talk down to someone he doesn't know for approaching a formality rationally.

 

[7331poas]

Who am I to say but I am just a retired adcom

A retired adcom who seemingly gets his kicks these days being as cold as possible to "ignorant" premeds wondering if their picture is acceptable.

SDN gets a certain connotation because of this, and deservedly so.

 

[Allergic to Toradol]

I got interviews from roughly half the schools I applied to and my picture was of me in a long sleeve T-shirt standing in front of a solid wood fence in my backyard. It was cropped so that you could just see from my shoulders up and I was of course smiling. Don't overthink this. Don't look unprofessional and you will be fine. Is a jacket and tie probably best? Sure. But I can assure you that assuming the rest of your app is sufficient for an II, they aren't going to revoke your interview invitation simply because you are not dressed to the nines in your secondary photo. Just my $0.02.

 

[CCresearcher]

In a process where most schools have acceptance rates at around 2-5%, 60% of applicants don't receive a single acceptance, and almost every step of the process is at least partly subjective, anything that risks making you seem less than professional is foolish. As an applicant, the biggest favor you can do yourself is to minimize risk in any way you can.

Do some applicants get in with a t-shirt selfie? Of course. People also get in with criminal records. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

As @gonnif already said, the picture is your first impression. It's worth the $5 for a Costco passport photo to make sure it's a good one.

 

[DBC03]

1) its a photo for a professional school application that may determine the rest of your life. Go get a good shot from someone
2) There aint nothing casual about this: shirt, tie, jacket at least
3) Selfies are never appropriate for any kind of application at any time. Selfies should be used for yourself
4) passport photo is the simplest professional way to get this

Would a nice blouse and jewelry suffice for women or do we need the jacket as well? I have a suit, but I avoid wearing it unless necessary (and, yes, I consider it necessary for all med school interviews).

 

[gyngyn]

Would a nice blouse and jewelry suffice for women or do we need the jacket as well? I have a suit, but I avoid wearing it unless necessary (and, yes, I consider it necessary for all med school interviews).

Business professional is my recommendation.

 

[7331poas]

Do you think a patient will care if a doctor walks in a tee-shirt and jeans?

False equivalency. (But I have seen very well respected physicians in the clinic wearing this outfit seeing patients)

And do you think that you should be applying with a tee shirted selfie is enough to get by?

Yep.

Applicants should be judged on their merits. Its sad that the person in this photo below will get rejected by you because they took an innocent photo which they assumed was for verification.

http://thispix.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/passport-001.jpg

Its just endless goalpost moving in medical school applications. Get your photo done for images that are used to verify your person? Send thank you letters to interviewers? hand written? Perhaps a nice fruit basket? Whats next. In 2030 we will need some bribery I think.

No one is asserting we shouldnt be professional. The question is the place and to what extent. Is this photo business casual? Would some adcom somewhere think I am lazy if I just worse a shirt and tie. Not a jacket? What if my jacket is cheap? Oh lordy

 

[gyngyn]

Applicants should be judged on their merits.

One of the merits upon which you will be judged is your own judgement.

 

[7331poas]

One of the merits upon which you will be judged is your own judgement.

Sure...

And the question here is where are the goal posts. This photo, when asked on a secondary, typically states that it is used to verify your person. I am simply stating that it is ridiculous that adcoms hold these silent "gotchas!" to reject people because they misstepped and took them for their word.

 

[Catalystik]

I wasnt expecting to have to submit a photo, so I'm completely lost on what is a good photo to submit. please help

Aside from suitable grooming and dress, please smile, and (try to) look relaxed and friendly.

 

[Shirafune]

Just dress as you would for your interview. Take a nice photo, whether it be by a family member or professionally. Smile and be as friendly as you would when first meeting your interviewer.

This photo is going to be the only visual other adcoms have of you.

 

[camccormick]

What about pictures at professional events? Such as standing next to your poster at a poster session?

 

[Shirafune]

What about pictures at professional events? Such as standing next to your poster at a poster session?

No, unless you can crop a clear head shot with a plain background.

People, just dress up and get a head shot. Many cell phone cameras are of sufficient quality, so you can even do it at home.

 

[Gutsy]

Wow! A secondary app already? @Lilbird123 do you mind if I ask which school?

 

[gyngyn]

What about pictures at professional events? Such as standing next to your poster at a poster session?

No.

 

[gyngyn]

Sure...

And the question here is where are the goal posts. This photo, when asked on a secondary, typically states that it is used to verify your person. I am simply stating that it is ridiculous that adcoms hold these silent "gotchas!" to reject people because they misstepped and took them for their word.

This "goalpost" hasn't moved in at least a hundred years.
We don't need to plant "gotchas." The applicants come up with them on their own.
We are trying to help you avoid them.

 

[Lilbird123]

Wow! A secondary app already? @Lilbird123 do you mind if I ask which school?

OSU college of osteopathic medicine. I applied DO and MD

 

[Ramatronics]

Wait, can we not use a graduation photo (business casual, tie but no suit)?

 

[Toutie]

Wait, can we not use a graduation photo (business casual, tie but no suit)?

Not one with your cap and gown! (and yes, people do it!)

 

[SLU Student]

Well. ****. I wish I saw this thread sooner. I submitted a picture where I was dressed professionally in a suit and tie, but the background is of a poster I was presenting at a convention.

I agree with gonnif that it should be common sense for pre-medical students to dress professionally and appropriately for secondary application photos, but it would've been great if medical schools could state on their application that they specifically want a passport style photo with a blank background.

Professionalism is common sense, but a blank background is a unique specification that I feel like should've been given as a specific instruction.

Do you all suggest contacting the admissions committee to try and resend a photo, or will I be fine as is?

 

[Toutie]

Well. ****. I wish I saw this thread sooner. I submitted a picture where I was dressed professionally in a suit and tie, but the background is of a poster I was presenting at a convention.

I agree with gonnif that it should be common sense for pre-medical students to dress professionally and appropriately for secondary application photos, but it would've been great if medical schools could state on their application that they specifically want a passport style photo with a blank background.

Professionalism is common sense, but a blank background is a unique specification that I feel like should've been given as a specific instruction.

Do you all suggest contacting the admissions committee to try and resend a photo, or will I be fine as is?

Its fine. Don't lose any sleep over it. It's not like it's a pic of you playing frisbee at the beach or anything. 😛

 

[gyngyn]

Well. ****. I wish I saw this thread sooner. I submitted a picture where I was dressed professionally in a suit and tie, but the background is of a poster I was presenting at a convention.

I agree with gonnif that it should be common sense for pre-medical students to dress professionally and appropriately for secondary application photos, but it would've been great if medical schools could state on their application that they specifically want a passport style photo with a blank background.

Professionalism is common sense, but a blank background is a unique specification that I feel like should've been given as a specific instruction.

Do you all suggest contacting the admissions committee to try and resend a photo, or will I be fine as is?

A poster photo is not a dealbreaker (as long as you are clearly identifiable). So many of these feature the poster and not the person.

 

[Goro]

Well. ****. I wish I saw this thread sooner. I submitted a picture where I was dressed professionally in a suit and tie, but the background is of a poster I was presenting at a convention.

I agree with gonnif that it should be common sense for pre-medical students to dress professionally and appropriately for secondary application photos, but it would've been great if medical schools could state on their application that they specifically want a passport style photo with a blank background.

Professionalism is common sense, but a blank background is a unique specification that I feel like should've been given as a specific instruction.

Do you all suggest contacting the admissions committee to try and resend a photo, or will I be fine as is?

Take two of these, please:

 

[tantacles]

I think some common sense needs to be used here. These pictures aren't a trick, and they are not even something that's consciously used to screen applicants. It's not as if medical schools are saying to themselves: "Hey! Let's have people send in a picture so that we can reject them based on it!" Rather, medical schools want a picture so that they can identify you as the person who applied, and they inadvertently end up comparing and contrasting these pictures with each other because the human brain sees differences and judges accordingly.

Is this fair? No. But can you circumvent this process by simply looking your best? Yes! Absolutely yes! So go the extra mile, put on your suit, and have your mom, spouse, partner, best friend, sorority sister, or even your worst enemy take a million pictures of you with your phone camera (or, even better, with a nice digital camera) so that you don't have to worry about this.

 

[kb1900]

I had a standard photo of me and the gf dressed up for an event. Cropped it so it was just a headshot of me in my suit and tie and was fine for the cycle

I had an open door in the background of mine and it wasn’t a problem (wasn’t distracting though). In fact, thinking back, the only places I got interviews were ones that asked for my picture

1. Be attractive - do your best to look so even if you’re not. Drinking a lot of water for a few days in a row will remove bags from under your eyes. Don’t have your haircut the day of your picture. Throw on a suit and shave etc. have a genuine smile, put some product in your hair if you need it...you get the idea

Most of this stuff is what you’d do when you show up for your interview anyway.

2. Use common sense: no selfies, other people on your photo, t shirts, no shirts (someone did this on sdn lol), white (lab) coats etc.

 

[efle]

I'm surprised all the objections in this thread are to potentially being judged on your outfit.

The much bigger risk imo is favoring the hotties, even subconsciously.

 

[gyngyn]

I'm surprised all the objections in this thread are to potentially being judged on your outfit.

The much bigger risk imo is favoring the hotties, even subconsciously.

The tinder photos don't help.

 

[LizzyM]

I just pulled some photo sheets that are distributed on interview day.

Plain backgrounds beat scenic backgrounds 4 to 1.
Among men, the most common manner of dress was the open collared dress shirt, without a jacket. Next most common was shirt and tie followed by shirt/tie/jacket or shirt and jacket, no tie.

Among women, half wore an open collared blouse with a jacket and the second most common style was a shirt or blouse with a cardigan sweater.

The most appealing pictures were more along the style of a yearbook picture (neck twisted slightly, body at an angle) rather than a straight on passport picture.

Don't sweat it. But be sure to smile. If you are somber at your interview and someone notes that, for sure the adcom will pull up your picture to see for themselves.

 

[Bloohaze]

I had a standard photo of me and the gf dressed up for an event. Cropped it so it was just a headshot of me in my suit and tie and was fine for the cycle

I had an open door in the background of mine and it wasn’t a problem (wasn’t distracting though). In fact, thinking back, the only places I got interviews were ones that asked for my picture

1. Be attractive - do your best to look so even if you’re not. Drinking a lot of water for a few days in a row will remove bags from under your eyes. Don’t have your haircut the day of your picture. Throw on a suit and shave etc. have a genuine smile, put some product in your hair if you need it...you get the idea

Most of this stuff is what you’d do when you show up for your interview anyway.

2. Use common sense: no selfies, other people on your photo, t shirts, no shirts (someone did this on sdn lol), white (lab) coats etc.

Rule 1: Be attractive.
Rule 2: Don't be unattractive.

 

[deleted854547]

Rule 1: Be attractive.
Rule 2: Don't be unattractive.

If people have trouble understanding what Bloohaze means, watch this video for reference:

REQUIRED viewing for the application cycle.

 

[Jaigantic]

Should men shave their beards completely for these photos?

 

[BombsAway]

Damn, now i've got a case of the SDN neuroticism. I have a headshot in a suit+tie, but I have a light beard (the good looking kind, not weird hippee beard). Already submitted. Guess i'll have to go caribbean.

 

[deleted854547]

SDN neuroticism post #2: If we have a photo that's low resolution (especially when zoomed in), but it's in a suit and tie, will it being low res hurt compared to a higher res one? I had the photo taken of me on my phone and I'm in an area right now where a passport photo is not feasible until August.

 

[begoood95]

I have a picture in which I'm wearing a black button up, with a white tie, and it was in a dimly lit hotel for a graduation party. The background is very blurred out, to the point that you can't see anything but some lights; the picture is really only from my shoulders up. The picture is kind of "soft," if you know what I mean -- lol think soap opera effect, but not terribly cheesy.

I'm overseas so getting a passport picture might be a little hassle, plus I didn't bring any suits. Is that acceptable? I'm sure it's okay and I'm being neurotic, I mean it's a fine picture, but if I have to I'll try to get a different one!

 

[BombsAway]

I have a picture in which I'm wearing a black button up, with a white tie, and it was in a dimly lit hotel for a graduation party. The background is very blurred out, to the point that you can't see anything but some lights; the picture is really only from my shoulders up. The picture is kind of "soft," if you know what I mean -- lol think soap opera effect, but not terribly cheesy.

I'm overseas so getting a passport picture might be a little hassle, plus I didn't bring any suits. Is that acceptable? I'm sure it's okay and I'm being neurotic, I mean it's a fine picture, but if I have to I'll try to get a different one!

your LizzyM score is 80. you could submit a photo of your dog.

 

[Toutie]

I have a picture in which I'm wearing a black button up, with a white tie, and it was in a dimly lit hotel for a graduation party. The background is very blurred out, to the point that you can't see anything but some lights; the picture is really only from my shoulders up. The picture is kind of "soft," if you know what I mean -- lol think soap opera effect, but not terribly cheesy.

I'm overseas so getting a passport picture might be a little hassle, plus I didn't bring any suits. Is that acceptable? I'm sure it's okay and I'm being neurotic, I mean it's a fine picture, but if I have to I'll try to get a different one!

While not ideal, I think it'll be fine as long as your face is clear and the head shot makes up the majority of the photo.