stripper getting into med school? serious question!

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Please help!

One of my best friends (who lent me most of her Belly Dance outfits 😀), put herself all through medical school in Washington by dancing at local Middle Eastern restaurants (by the way, she is a full blood American) . Now, she is the head of one of the biggest Departments at our local hospital.
I dance at all her very lavish parties, and she is very proud that she made her way in life on her own. We do not tell her story to everyone (her papa & mama made employees), but the head of the hospital and the people that hired her know!!
Think:
1) Your Safety First (at your job, and among the fellow students who you might tell about your job and might misunderstand you and think you are easy...)
2) Honesty with everyone (Entertainment Industry, Art, Customer Service (maybe one of the interviewers was at one of your parties 🙂, or what the h---, you can say a bar render with darn great cocktails to serve !!
3) Integrity though out your life and
4) Hard work . If they refuse you in a certain medical school, then try another one because it is THER loss, and you better prove it to them.
Good Luck

 

[PanicAttack]

Though I would not take my chances with Loma Linda or Tulane or any other religous based schools.

?

I think this would go over pretty well at Tulane, actually.

 

[nydreamer]

I have no advice for the OP, I just had to say that this hilarious!

 

[bobat]

Okay, so I am applying to med schools for fall of 2011 after taking a year off from college. I have a 32 mcat and a 3.7 undergrad GPA. I have a lot of volunteer experience both clinical and non-clinical as well as research experience. However, my job "for money" during a good part of college and after was working as a stripper. Because I worked in a good-paying job like that I was able to work less hours and fit in volunteer time and school, otherwise I would be working 40 hrs a week or more in a retail job and little time for volunteering or school work. I have serious reservations about putting this job on a med school application, but how can I explain being from an incredibly disadvantaged background (my parents were poor and I was on scholarship) but not working a real (paid) job all through college? Should I lie and say I was a waitress there instead? Will they consider any kind of work at a strip club a moral transgression and bar me from even interviewing? Please help!

Do they really care how you paid for school?
if you were on a scholarship that should be more than enough. A lot of people don't work at all while in school. I personally only worked side jobs on the weekends and was able to afford to eat and live without any help from my parents just fine (i too come from a poor family and so i got very generous financial aide).

 

[bobat]

Troll.

Please put this on your application. You'll be surprised how many interviews you get.

Makes me wonder, if you were willing to strip for $, what did you do for $ in the VIP room - put that on your application too.

hey at least she is smart about it. 90 percent of girls strip and give lap dances to strange men for free (ever been to a standard nightclub?) and for some reason are considered more morally upstanding citizens because of it.

 

[schismal]

This. Why take the risk? No harm no foul.

The notion of "playing it safe" is overrated. That's the best way to be filed away with the thousands of other indistinguishable applicants with the same stats who will be denied an interview.

List dancer on the application, then gauge the interviewer when he/she is sitting across from you to determine how forthcoming you will want to be in person.

 

[Beta Cell]

The notion of "playing it safe" is overrated. That's the best way to be filed away with the thousands of other indistinguishable applicants with the same stats who will be denied an interview.

List dancer on the application, then gauge the interviewer when he/she is sitting across from you to determine how forthcoming you will want to be in person.

There's a difference between standing out because you were President for 4 years and standing out because you were a stripper. Logical arguments can be made on both sides of the fence, but I think the 'on-the-fence' approach of just putting 'dancer' is probably the best approach. There certainly are ways you can stand out negatively. The people on this forum are the future doctors and adcom members of tomorrow and look at the large schism one can see just from reading the responses.

 

[schismal]

There's a difference between standing out because you were President for 4 years and standing out because you were a stripper.

I never said they were. My point was a philosophical one.

I'd also caution you against using the views of potential doctors who are attempting to channel the prejudices of admission committees when deciding how to best structure your applications. Turns out, adcom members can be young and cool and hip too. 😉

 

[Beta Cell]

I never said they were. My point was a philosophical one.

I'd also caution you against using the views of potential doctors who are attempting to channel the prejudices of admission committees when deciding how to best structure your applications. Turns out, adcom members can be young and cool and hip too. 😉

They can also be old, senile, and cranky too. My point was that you can see a great divide on this forum. Not everyone is as open to that type of work as you would expect. If every adcom member were as cool as LizzyM, it would be a non-issue. Clearly it's a controversial topic. This is a game of probabilities, you don't seem to see that. We can debate philosophy, mechanics, idealism, and anything else you can bring up, but statistically, there will be people who disapprove. It could squash your chances of even getting getting the interview.

 

[TDX]

They can also be old, senile, and cranky too. My point was that you can see a great divide on this forum. Not everyone is as open to that type of work as you would expect. If every adcom member were as cool as LizzyM, it would be a non-issue. Clearly it's a controversial topic. This is a game of probabilities, you don't seem to see that. We can debate philosophy, mechanics, idealism, and anything else you can bring up, but statistically, there will be people who disapprove. It could squash your chances of even getting getting the interview.

It could ruin her chances of some interviews, but it would more than likely also get her noticed by others who would toss the app aside otherwise. That´s the other side of the statistics game: she doesn't need to get into every med school in the US, just a single good one.

Keep in mind that while it doesn't offend open-minded adcom members, it actually appeals to many who might not like the work itself but do like the idea of someone who has clearly faced tough choices making it.

Then again, I used to work in the porn industry, so I might be biased.

 

[schismal]

They can also be old, senile, and cranky too. My point was that you can see a great divide on this forum. Not everyone is as open to that type of work as you would expect. If every adcom member were as cool as LizzyM, it would be a non-issue. Clearly it's a controversial topic. This is a game of probabilities, you don't seem to see that. We can debate philosophy, mechanics, idealism, and anything else you can bring up, but statistically, there will be people who disapprove. It could squash your chances of even getting getting the interview.

Oh right, if there's one thing I don't understand, it's the game of medical school admissions, oh wise pre-med.

Like the guy above me said, all you need is one good school. Some of my essays were safe, and some of my essays were more more controversial. Perhaps even leaving me a bit vulnerable. Interestingly enough, I never heard from most schools that received the safe essays, but nearly every school that got a more risque version was interested in seeing me face-to-face. So I wouldn't worry about shielding yourself quite so much, especially if we're talking about schools in more liberal areas of the country (northeast and west coast). That advice applies both in general terms and to the OP's situation specifically. Take it or leave it.

Anyway, I already advised her to just throw dancer on her app and play the rest by ear, so I'm not even sure what you're disagreeing with.

Then again, I used to work in the porn industry, so I might be biased.

*high five*

Behind or in front of the cameras?

 

[KnuxNole]

There is an ex-stripper in my med school class(did it for 3+ years). She honored a few classes I believed as well. So it's possible to make it!

 

[Prism328]

im going to vote with leave it off the application

 

[Beta Cell]

Oh right, if there's one thing I don't understand, it's the game of medical school admissions, oh wise pre-med.

Like the guy above me said, all you need is one good school. Some of my essays were safe, and some of my essays were more more controversial. Perhaps even leaving me a bit vulnerable. Interestingly enough, I never heard from most schools that received the safe essays, but nearly every school that got a more risque version was interested in seeing me face-to-face. So I wouldn't worry about shielding yourself quite so much, especially if we're talking about schools in more liberal areas of the country (northeast and west coast). That advice applies both in general terms and to the OP's situation specifically. Take it or leave it.

Anyway, I already advised her to just throw dancer on her app and play the rest by ear, so I'm not even sure what you're disagreeing with.


*high five*

Behind or in front of the cameras?

Becoming a medical school student does not make you an expert in medical school admissions. Medical school admissions is about as elusive a topic as any, no one fully understands what it takes for universal acceptance (save for a few things, like a Rhodes Scholarship or something of the sort). Rather than play the expert, play to your strengths. It's clearly not medical school admissions (or you would have interviewed and been accepted to every school, right?).

Great job on getting into medical school, but stay grounded. No need to talk down to people.

 

[redlight]

leaving it on is a pretty big risk... i find the older gen of docs (likely the ones who will be interviewing you, be on adcoms) are socially conservative.

if it truly plays a big role in who you are (part of your "story" and path to med) then maybe leave it on and try to be extra professional/conservative when discussing it.

honestly i dont think it should be counted against you.. you did what you had to do to survive.. but it would be wise to not make it a distraction when the adcom consider whether you'd be a good candidate.

 

[bannie22]

bringing it up again!?

put it down.

honesty is number 1. if you cant be proud of what you hve done, what are you going to be proud of?

this is what makes you special, and who you are as a person.

 

[schismal]

...but stay grounded. No need to talk down to people.

Take your own advice. No need to get too big for your britches, especially since it looks like you haven't even begun your cycle.

On that note, I'm sure you'll do well, and I wish you the best. No doubt you will gain insight to the process along the way too, and you may even come back here and share it with others. As I said before, you can take mine or leave it.

 

[StephanieZ]

I think we all need to defer to Izzie Stevens on this one. Didn't her colleague's find out during her residency that she used to be a "model" to help pay her way through med school? Worked for her, so...

 

[aSagacious]

^ Was this thread really worth bumping?

 

[oaklandguy]

I think we all need to defer to Izzie Stevens on this one. Didn't her colleague's find out during her residency that she used to be a "model" to help pay her way through med school? Worked for her, so...

Was this worth the bump??? Really?

 

[oaklandguy]

^ Was this thread really worth bumping?

lol great minds think alike.

 

[aSagacious]

Was this worth the bump??? Really?

Beatcha 😉

 

[epsilonprodigy]

(insert compulsory reference to Izzy being an underwear model on Grey's)

No seriously dude, there is no reason you should be disrespected for this. You needed a job, you needed to do all the kitschy pre-med stuff, and you did. Are you in touch with any co-workers or your old boss? If you were friendly with any, or even trust that any of them isn't a jerk, call them up, explain the situation, and ask that they verify that you were a "waitress" if called. Surely they're used to having to be discreet about such things. Then list it on your app as "waitress." As long as the place wasn't named "Tito's House of Tata's" or something, I think you're in the clear.

 

[kpcrew]

I think we all need to defer to Izzie Stevens on this one. Didn't her colleague's find out during her residency that she used to be a "model" to help pay her way through med school? Worked for her, so...

so before you bumped this thread, were you searching for "stripper" to get some advice on your situation?

 

[pkwraith]

(insert compulsory reference to Izzy being an underwear model on Grey's)

No seriously dude, there is no reason you should be disrespected for this. You needed a job, you needed to do all the kitschy pre-med stuff, and you did. Are you in touch with any co-workers or your old boss? If you were friendly with any, or even trust that any of them isn't a jerk, call them up, explain the situation, and ask that they verify that you were a "waitress" if called. Surely they're used to having to be discreet about such things. Then list it on your app as "waitress." As long as the place wasn't named "Tito's House of Tata's" or something, I think you're in the clear.

From the posts directly above yours, you should have been aware that your advice is not going to be heard.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

I wish my doc was a stripper. I'd go in for physicals like there's no tomorrow.

 

[BabyTiger]

Yes, we need pics in order to fully evaluate your situation and provide the best possible advice.

Inappropriate...

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

Go with waitress - it's better

Waitress is extremely boring.... You should definitely go with dancer (which would really set you apart) and if they ask you what type during interviews just say that you did modern dance with a local company. You're technically not lying but you still get the benefits of being special and different.

 

[SH3]

When I was a Junior at University, I met a stripper at a club I was at who was a Kinesiology Major; at my University nonetheless. She was only a year older than me, told me she had written the MCAT and was submitting her application. That was last year, haven't seen her since and have no idea if she put it on her application.

The point being, you aren't the only one whose doing this.

 

[LifeTake2]

Inappropriate...

I have to ask....you joined and made your first ever post on SDN to call out a post made 2 years ago, by someone likely not even on the site anymore.

If you are going to post, at least have the decency to put some thought into; or better yet necro your own thread 😀

 

[JHU 2010]

I wish my doc was a stripper. I'd go in for physicals like there's no tomorrow.

Necro bump #2? This is the thread that will not die!

(not like the Jalby Georgetown thread that's immortal, but in the sense that people keep grabbing her to dance with at prom, thinking she's just the shy girl in the corner, without realizing that she's actually a corpse)

 

[Celerity]

hmmm.. lie and be safe

There is an inherent contradiction here....

 

[flodhi1]

Troll.

Please put this on your application. You'll be surprised how many interviews you get.

Makes me wonder, if you were willing to strip for $, what did you do for $ in the VIP room - put that on your application too.

Get a life even if it's part time.

 

[LupaCupcake]

Not everyone is born into a wonderful environment full of college funds.

I understand where you are coming from and I don't think you should be ashamed of it. I used to belly dance. Not as a job or for profit. I started doing it at the gym to get in better shape and ended up taking lessons from dance instructors on the weekend. Eventually I ended up doing shows at local events . I never took anything off, but I know that some people look at belly dancing as "wrong" because our stomachs are showing and unfortunately some people who claim to belly dance are just bootie dancing and give us a bad name. I will not put down that I did belly dance shows or I am a sword dancer because I know that a very conservative person may look at it negatively.

The point is, I would not put down stripper because you don't know how they will react. Unless it has a name like "XXX club" I would just put down waitress at night club. The fact that you worked while going to school does look good for you, it shows that you can balance a bigger workload than some people who have the luxury of just attending school without the stress of financial concerns and working.