Secondary photo?

[andrewRA4]

I have a really nice picture of me in a t-shirt lol will this work? Should I wear something formal like a suit or will a tan blazer do the trick? Tie or not?

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[LizzyM]

Make sure it is head and shoulders and not a picture that includes so much of your body that your face is just a small fraction of the picture. Some schools will make the photos available to interviewers (to help them remember the applicants and/or to recognize the applicants who come to their offices for interview) so keep that in mind. Some adcom members seem to be turned out by photos that include backgrounds that might seem like bragging (vacation shots, lab shelves) Do choose a picture in which you have a bit of a smile or at least look friendly. Avoid pictures that look like a psycho's mug shot.

A tee shirt might be fine as long as the logo or wording on the tee shirt isn't inappropriate.

 

[The Milkman]

from a particular school's website: "The photo must be a recent photo of the applicant, in professional attire, against a plain background. Do not submit cropped photos, photos that include other people, or photos in a social setting."

 

[juliuspepperwood]

If you have cats try to get as many of them as possible in the photo with you

 

[gyngyn]

If you have cats try to get as many of them as possible in the photo with you

We once had an applicant send us a video of their home filled with cats and kittens. The committee didn't respect someone who did not spay and neuter.

 

[Leslie_Knope]

I am planning on getting a professional head shot done. Applications are already pricey, so what's one more expense? :/

 

[gyngyn]

I am planning on getting a professional head shot done. Applications are already pricey, so what's one more expense? :/

Even iphones take pretty good photos. It doesn't have to be be "professional" to be professional.

 

[ciestar]

So no selfies? 😛

 

[Ismet]

I just got a 2x2 passport photo taken for free at AAA (if you're a member). Make sure to tell them it's not for a passport so that they will let you smile with your teeth showing. Just wear something nice, there will be a plain backdrop, and most schools ask for a 2x2 if they specify.

 

[Reckoner]

So no selfies? 😛

"Applicant appears to have no friends to hold camera. Social skills suspect. Reject."

 

[ciestar]

"Applicant appears to have no friends to hold camera. Social skills suspect. Reject."

Obviously joking here.
But I imagine it happens more than it should.

 

[Ismet]

Obviously joking here.
But I imagine it happens more than it should.

I saw a couple photos last year where I seriously questioned the person's judgment in specifically choosing that photo to represent themselves in a professional application. You don't need a suit and tie, even a collared shirt isn't a necessity. But for goodness sakes, girls, bra straps should not be showing. Also saw several photos that were clearly Facebook profile pictures and/or cropped out of group photos. 😕

 

[Shinobiz11]

I saw a couple photos last year where I seriously questioned the person's judgment in specifically choosing that photo to represent themselves in a professional application. You don't need a suit and tie, even a collared shirt isn't a necessity. But for goodness sakes, girls, bra straps should not be showing. Also saw several photos that were clearly Facebook profile pictures and/or cropped out of group photos. 😕

MSUCOM mentions this specifically in their secondary now. Last year, all it said was upload a photo, i'm assume this is the response they got.

 

[Reckoner]

I saw a couple photos last year where I seriously questioned the person's judgment in specifically choosing that photo to represent themselves in a professional application. You don't need a suit and tie, even a collared shirt isn't a necessity. But for goodness sakes, girls, bra straps should not be showing. Also saw several photos that were clearly Facebook profile pictures and/or cropped out of group photos. 😕

A school should start asking for "your most embarrassing drunken Facebook picture" to see if anyone is dumb enough to do it. Could be an effective screening technique. The incredible SDN angst generated would be an added bonus.

 

[Leslie_Knope]

A school should start asking for "your most embarrassing drunken Facebook picture" to see if anyone is dumb enough to do it. Could be an effective screening technique. The incredible SDN angst generated would be an added bonus.

That would be awesome. People would be torn between following directions and putting their best face forward.

 

[vaccineswork]

Nevermind then. thanks anyways.

 

[el_duderino]

Right. Left appears outside with harsh shadows.

 

[tuftofwool]

I've submitted a couple of secondaries already and none asked for photos. Just confirming- do all schools require a photo, and I just missed the memo somewhere? Or just a select number of them require this?

 

[el_duderino]

Only a few, really.

 

[tuftofwool]

Only a few, really.

Thanks 🙂

 

[Lamel]

@vaccineswork It is a bad idea to post actual photos of yourself here.

Secondly, I think you should also try a more modest/without teeth smile, right now it looks a little forced.

 

[sundancing]

I submitted headshots in graduation regalia (but without the cap). Is that okay?

 

[el_duderino]

I submitted headshots in graduation regalia (but without the cap). Is that okay?

Auto-reject. Sorry. Try again next year.

I'm sure it's fine.

 

[won'tstop]

I used a photo with me looking decent with a nice friendly smile in it. But it's a graduation photo in my cap and gowns with my friend and I cropped her out.

 

[giggglesngrins]

FYI, groupon runs offers fairly often for studio photography. While marketed as a way to commemorate your baby's cute cuddliness, not a bad way to get a decent professional pic.

 

[Lambda Phage]

What's the consensus on duckface?

 

[el_duderino]

What's the consensus on duckface?

Last I heard, it was roughly equivalent to +2 points on the MCAT score. Not quite the URM MCAT auto-boost, but pretty good anyway.

 

[ProbablyAPenguin]

I submitted a headshot (more like a head/upper half of torso shot) of myself in front of an archway in my school, is that a plain enough background?

 

[HinduHammer]

Make sure it is head and shoulders and not a picture that includes so much of your body that your face is just a small fraction of the picture. Some schools will make the photos available to interviewers (to help them remember the applicants and/or to recognize the applicants who come to their offices for interview) so keep that in mind. Some adcom members seem to be turned out by photos that include backgrounds that might seem like bragging (vacation shots, lab shelves) Do choose a picture in which you have a bit of a smile or at least look friendly. Avoid pictures that look like a psycho's mug shot.

A tee shirt might be fine as long as the logo or wording on the tee shirt isn't inappropriate.

Hi @LizzyM ,

Is a secondary photo backdrop in an outdoor place, like a park, a good or bad idea? There is a park near my house that is beautiful and lush, and I thought it would make for a great backdrop. But do you think this is a bad idea?

 

[HinduHammer]

I just got a 2x2 passport photo taken for free at AAA (if you're a member). Make sure to tell them it's not for a passport so that they will let you smile with your teeth showing. Just wear something nice, there will be a plain backdrop, and most schools ask for a 2x2 if they specify.

Hi @Ismet , same question as to LizzyM -- having been on your school's ADCOM, is a secondary photo in an outdoor backdrop a bad idea?

Also, for the AAA photo, you just called and told them you needed a passport photo and it was free...?
Thanks

 

[mik30102]

I submitted my graduation photo in a shirt and tie (with the typical blueish graduation backdrop). Has not been a problem...

 

[gyngyn]

The secondary photo should ideally project professionalism. Other professions are mostly outdoors; ours, not so much.

 

[hoihaie]

travel the country and take a headshot of yourself next to each of the schools that you're applying to. Make sure the school's hospital or logo is in the picture and send the respective photos to each school.

get auto accepted for dedication and commitment to that school 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

The secondary photo should ideally project professionalism. Other professions are mostly outdoors; ours, not so much.

On the other hand, the light is better outside than inside and a leafy green background behind your head & shoulders might be just fine. A passport-style picture is good too, but maybe with a bit more smile than is permitted in one of those official shots.

 

[gyngyn]

On the other hand, the light is better outside than inside and a leafy green background behind your head & shoulders might be just fine. A passport-style picture is good too, but maybe with a bit more smile than is permitted in one of those official shots.

Smiling is good.
Outdoor photo with shades...
Making a snow angel...
Sky diving...

 

[BamaNicole]

If you have cats try to get as many of them as possible in the photo with you

Cat beards seem to be dapper.

don't pay attention to that.....

 

[HinduHammer]

Smiling is good.
Outdoor photo with shades...
Making a snow angel...
Sky diving...

Well now it seems you're just being facetious! 😛

I think I'll do both an outdoors one and passport style one (with smile!) and then sleep on it. I'm sure the right answer will come after some zzzzz's.

 

[gyngyn]

Well now it seems you're just being facetious! 😛

I think I'll do both an outdoors one and passport style one (with smile!) and then sleep on it. I'm sure the right answer will come after some zzzzz's.

I've seem them. And sooo many more.

 

[HinduHammer]

I just got a 2x2 passport photo taken for free at AAA (if you're a member). Make sure to tell them it's not for a passport so that they will let you smile with your teeth showing. Just wear something nice, there will be a plain backdrop, and most schools ask for a 2x2 if they specify.

Actually its not free if you're a member, but thanks for taking the 2 seconds to reply even though your clearly on this forum all the time...very helpful, mr. moderator.

 

[Ismet]

Actually its not free if you're a member, but thanks for taking the 2 seconds to reply even though your clearly on this forum all the time...very helpful, mr. moderator.

ACTUALLY,

1) It depends on where you live, as AAA branches differ by region.

2) In my region, AAA Plus and AAA Premier members can get 4 free passport photos every year. I am an AAA Plus member through my parents account. I didn't know the difference until I looked it up, but it was a quick google search to find the answer.

3) I am a 3rd year med student who typically only accesses SDN on my phone during brief periods of down time at the hospital. I often miss notifications and don't get to see everything. I also get quite a few notifications during the day and naturally miss a few. That's just the nature of the beast, Mr. HinduHammer.

4) I'm a girl.

😛

 

[Make Or Break]

travel the country and take a headshot of yourself next to each of the schools that you're applying to. Make sure the school's hospital or logo is in the picture and send the respective photos to each school.

get auto accepted for dedication and commitment to that school 🙂

This is brilliant.