To shave or not to shave.

[hippuppy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Should I shave my goatee off before attending an interview. I am usually goatee free but grow it out for the winter. Here is the thing, women really seem to like it on me and I enjoy it as well, but I don't want to leave a bad impression with the the medical school. I have always been told to look as conservative as possible but not sure if a neatly trimmed goatee or beard would hinder my appearance. I know this is a silly question but sure people have thought of it before.

 

[phd2b]

Shave it. It'll grow back. Your career is more important than this year's early dating season.

YMMV

 

[deleted6669]

I have had a full beard for the last 6 years and will not be shaving for interviews. without it I look like I am 12 years old.If the adcoms can't deal with it I would rather go somewhere else anyway...

 

[Big_Poppa DDS]

shave it! I also wear a Goatee, I have been told to shave and I am in dental school. Shave it for the interview and then do whatever you want - like I did!

 

[BADunning]

I too had a winter beard in place and neatly groomed when interviews came up. I listened to some friends and shaved it. Much was said about the adcoms looking for that 'clean-cut' appearance (yawn).

However, it may have contributed some good because I'm taking a break from studying for block 3 to write this.

Good Luck or Do Well (if you don't believe in luck). 😎

 

[Wifty]

Seriously, aren't there any men that made it thru interview and into acceptance, while keeping their beard?
Hubby has had a beard/mustache since highschool, neatly trimmed. Is it really going to affect his chances?

 

[Yosh]

The first year I interviewed...I was clean shaven...didn't get in...

The secons time around(the following year)..I had a goat-tee...and ended up with 9 acceptances....I was clean shaven..with the goatee and it was fine...

I guess it is a judgement call...but I felt that I looked too young too without it....

 

[Slingblade the Surgeon]

I usually wear a goatee and mustache, but I went for the more conservative look 'just in case'. I am taking no chances with my career, not at this stage anyway. Unfortunately, facial hair is still viewed by older people (The ones in charge)as a sign of rebellion and hippy-ism. These older people are, after all, the ones who were against the rebellious youths of the 60's (the hippies). The ones who were hippies themselves have facial hair now and are easy to spot...Like Geraldo. Until this older generation is no longer running things, the reality is that you COULD meet first impression discrimination. I have had three older people tell me with no uncertain terms that they saw mustaches and beards as dirty and unprofessional. Soooooooooo I shaved mine off for interviews as I am not trying to make any kind of political statement, only trying to maximize my chances of getting in.

You could look at it this way. Is there a chance you could be pre-judged without it? Not likely unless you look 2. Is there a chance you could be pre-judged with it? Yes

As for women....They like doctors better than they like Goatees 😉

 

[hippuppy]

For a second there I thought that you were going to say, "As for women, I would recommend that they shave off their facial hair!"
I almost cringe at the thought of shaving just because someone else might judge me. However, this is the reality of the world we are in and a negative first impression is nearly impossible to erase. Thanks for all of your comments.

Bryan

 

[Monkey]

I think it sucks that someone would actually think less of an applicant because of their facial hair. That being said, it's probably true all too often.

Shave.

But after you get in, grow it back, long and nasty, shave your head and go say hi to the folks that interviewed you.

 

[FrogRacer]

Come on guys! I have a full, neatly-groomed beard/mustache. I interviewed in August of this year, and start med school in 2002. If it's neatly groomed it shouldn't matter.

 

[Doc Holliday]

One of the posters on the COMP 2005 thread described himself as having long brown hair when telling people how to spot him at an orientation picnic. I'm guessing a trimmed goatee will do you just fine! 😎

 

[Slingblade the Surgeon]

I still say a chance is a chance. I grew mine back within a week and now I'm as purty as I ever was.

 

[hippuppy]

Oh Hell. I shaved. I know, I know...I caved. I just got back from a visit at Nova where I met with the Dean and have been told to look out for my interview invitation. Apparently I gave a good impression. Ironically, the Dean of Nova has a wicked mustache so perhaps it wouldn't have mattered. Well, better safe than sorry.

Hip

 

[Wifty]

Well, hubby went to his interview (at KCOM) and didn't shave. He was trimmed and he did make his hair in back shorter then it had been, but he decided that he would have felt bad about himself if he shaved off his beard.

Everyone says that the interviews are to get to know the 'real you' and he felt he would have been being fake by shaving it off, plus he would have felt more self-conscious going bare and that would have injured his ability to interview well.

Don't know yet if he is accepted or not, but after meeting the people at the school, I seriously doubt his beard would stand in the way.

Wifty...very proud of her husband for doing what he felt was right for him.

 

[curlgrrl]

Originally posted by hippuppy:
•For a second there I thought that you were going to say, "As for women, I would recommend that they shave off their facial hair!" •••


Naive me! I figured that this thread was about women shaving when I saw the title! (You think I'm kidding, don't you?)

As for me, I decided to wear pants, so I didn't have to worry about admissions committees judging me on my hair 😛

 

[Slingblade the Surgeon]

Hell, we're all gonna be doctors here. Lets just all go au naturale 😱