MedChic said:
i am asking for objective opinions b/c i just talked about this with a friend who is also applying and she advised me that it is better not to mention it since models/actors/ppl in showbiz are stereotyped sometimes.
I think one question you should ask yourself is how close are you with this friend of yours? As you have seen people get very bitter about things like this. Perhaps she is jealous and, like many other pre-meds, is trying to throw a wrench into your application/psyche. What the heck does she know about the process if she is just starting it too? More important how reliable of a source is she for how adcoms feel about people who take time out to model? I don't mean to diss your friend but you have shown confidence in your decision to list this as an activity and defended yourself against the people on here who have been critical. So why don't you have the same conviction when your friend questions you????
Now for my two cents of advice. I'll go ahead and add the obvious disclaimer here that I am not on any adcoms. However, like anything you do (or have done) in your life everyone will have an opinion on this. Some will be favorable, some will be harsh, and some will be neutral. Consider the following scenarios.
Mr. Chester Molester adcom man - "Whoa can we see some pictures. Let's interview her. I bet she's hot. If she is I'll put in a good word b/c I love eye candy around here since I haven't got any in the last 30 or 40 years."
Mr. Reject adcom member - "Who does this little girl think she is?? I have been rejected by women all my life so if her little bitchy ass thinks she is going to get some special treatment she is getting a big fat thanks but no thanks from us"
Mr. I have previous experience - This guy has a wife, daughter, niece or someone else close to him who was/is involved in modeling. He sees this as a plus b/c he knows something about models/modeling and would love to give you a chance, not for perverted reasons either.
As you can see the list of attitudes towards what people have done is never ending. I did not even touch some of the obvious stereotypes that may come from women adcom members. This is part of the reason everyone always says the admissions process is such a crapshoot. You just never know who will be reviewing your application. If you get a former model who is now a doctor you will be gold, if you get a bitter old man you are screwed. No one knows who will review your application. Personally, I took time off to travel, a lot of time off. I'm really scared that everyone will assume spoiled rich kid who can afford to travel and not work. So I'd be hesitant to advise you to say you were traveling. I also think "personal time off" is another huge risk b/c it raises so many questions, unless you were caring for a terminally ill person during that time. My best advice to you is to stop listening to other premeds. Do yourself a favor and go over to the examkrackers website and post your questions and concerns with Judy Levine. I'm not saying she is god or anything but this is the only place "premeds" can go for legitimate, unbiased, informed, and free advice on the admissions process. Good luck with your decision and the application process.
