Use of Twitter (And Other Social Networking Sites)

[502623]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm curious if ADCOMs go out of their way to look at the social networking sites of their applicants, specifically Twitter. Obviously a way to avoid running into problems with them finding potentially inappropriate things is to just make your account private, but I'd rather not do that personally. Of course, I'm not unwilling to do this at all if there's a good chance they look at such things, but I'd just rather not. I'd imagine it wouldn't be beyond them to look, especially for special cases of applicants if they really wanted to.

Does anyone have any experience, stories, or knowledge about this?

 

[CyberMaxx]

I can't speak on adcoms, but here is my two cents on social networking sites. For those of us in undergrad preparing to transition to med school (hopefully) I feel its probably best to clean up or delete our profiles, comments, etc. After conversations with various people in the hospital I volunteer at and some people I know in HR, I deleted my Facebook and switched to using other more professional forms of social media.

I hope I don't come off too negative, its just that I know multiple people who have been reprimanded or let go because of what they have posted online, and am therefor super wary about it.

 

[Ost3oclast]

Twitter? Maybe. We had a guy in pre-osteo get an acceptance rescinded because of facebook and sdn conduct though.....

 

[Chiefer]

Twitter? Maybe. We had a guy in pre-osteo get an acceptance rescinded because of facebook and sdn conduct though.....

whhhhat?! please elaborate.

 

[502623]

I can't speak on adcoms, but here is my two cents on social networking sites. For those of us in undergrad preparing to transition to med school (hopefully) I feel its probably best to clean up or delete our profiles, comments, etc. After conversations with various people in the hospital I volunteer at and some people I know in HR, I deleted my Facebook and switched to using other more professional forms of social media.

I hope I don't come off too negative, its just that I know multiple people who have been reprimanded or let go because of what they have posted online, and am therefor super wary about it.

Oh you don't sound negative at all! I understand what you are saying and agree with it. I feel as though I could either make my profile private whenever I apply in a couple of years. I don't feel like I need to delete my Facebook or anything but rather just leave it dormant because I don't use FB at all anymore anyway.

 

[502623]

Twitter? Maybe. We had a guy in pre-osteo get an acceptance rescinded because of facebook and sdn conduct though.....

Yes, I read someone referring to this in another thread. I suppose I should just remain anonymous on here and watch my conduct. Although, I heard he was making racist comments which is rather severe and understandable as to why his acceptance was rescinded!

 

[Lollygag]

Twitter? Maybe. We had a guy in pre-osteo get an acceptance rescinded because of facebook and sdn conduct though.....

Was that the user Mayomed? or someone else.. I think I missed it 🙁

 

[GopherMD]

I don't have a twitter account and I use FB less now so it's not really an issue for me.

As long as you are respectful and don't do anything stupid using social media, you should be fine.

 

[Ost3oclast]

As long as you are respectful and don't do anything stupid using social media, you should be fine.

This. I dont feel like elaborating too much on the member who got his acceptance taken away. If you search the forum you can find it all. Just remember to be respectful of one another!

 

[touchpause13]

you can have real life consquences for **** you say on twitter

see: stuebenville

 

[IncognitoGuy]

whhhhat?! please elaborate.

Well, for one his SDN name was the same as his Facebook screen-name (URL name), so that's already asking for trouble. This combined with some questionable remarks led to the result.

I won't say the name either, but remember, remember the rescindment of November.

So yes, adcoms do check and there have been repercussions. Keep your stuff on lockdown or don't post dumb stuff that can be tied back to you and all will be well.

 

[mokhoras]

.

 

[KnuxNole]

Never really cared for Twitter...i'd rather just use Facebook w/ status updates haha.

Also, PRIVATE, PRIVATE, PRIVATE. Lock it up, and you'll be smooth sailing.

Besides, probably not a good idea to say extreme crude stuff anyway. If you somehow can't fight the urge, at least don't make it public.

On the other hand, you can spin it in a positive(yet douchey) way by showcasing a cover pic of you holding African babies with scrubs and a stethoscope & a profile pic of you in a professional suit. Saw a few people did something like this during residency interviews. Not the African baby part though 😛

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Never really cared for Twitter...i'd rather just use Facebook w/ status updates haha.

Also, PRIVATE, PRIVATE, PRIVATE. Lock it up, and you'll be smooth sailing.

Besides, probably not a good idea to say extreme crude stuff anyway. If you somehow can't fight the urge, at least don't make it public.

On the other hand, you can spin it in a positive(yet douchey) way by showcasing a cover pic of you holding African babies with scrubs and a stethoscope & a profile pic of you in a professional suit. Saw a few people did something like this during residency interviews. Not the African baby part though 😛

Yea I just wonder if there is a way to delete all posts/status updates with a click instead of doing it all individually...

Ive posted some cynical status updates for humor like...

"Dear Girls,

We're not asking you to look like Victoria's Secret models. Were just asking that you dont look like hippopotamuses.

Sincerely,
Men"


or making fun of the Dallas Cowboys.... repeatedly.

Sigh🙁

 

[KnuxNole]

I'm sure knocking on the Cowboys could be a plus depending on who reads it. 😛

 

[xffan624]

I'm sure knocking on the Cowboys could be a plus depending on who reads it. 😛

Especially for DC/VA area schools 😀. I posted a hilarious picture of a new Cowboys themed controller on mine.


I would say if even if you keep your profile private to only your friends, just keep your posts respectable and not too crude as friends can repost your comments or pictures and then anyone can read them.

If you have to ask or consider whether this would acceptable material to your ADCOM's or your future colleagues in medicine, just don't post it.

 

[502623]

Especially for DC/VA area schools 😀. I posted a hilarious picture of a new Cowboys themed controller on mine.


I would say if even if you keep your profile private to only your friends, just keep your posts respectable and not too crude as friends can repost your comments or pictures and then anyone can read them.

If you have to ask or consider whether this would acceptable material to your ADCOM's or your future colleagues in medicine, just don't post it.

The good thing about Twitter is if your account is private then your stuff can't be retweeted (reposted) for people to see that don't follow you, so if your account's private, you must allow people to follow you that request permission. Idk if it's different for FB.

 

[Doctor Strange]

My Twitter is linked to my SDN account. Not really concerned that I'm getting acceptances rescinded or anything, because my Twitter is mostly filled with random thoughts and inside jokes. I don't say anything offensive or mean. Eh.

Probably should have my Twitter private, but I like being RTed.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Yea I was thinking of just deactivating mine during the application season or just changing my FB name.

 

[Chiefer]

whoa. I just fell down that rabbit hole. I apologize for being such a noob!