Where can I find examples of how secondary pictures should look?

[Gauss44]

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A picture is worth a million words. I would like to see what most people look like in their pictures so I can make sure that my picture fits in in every way. I have a talent for making that one mistake that no one thinks about so safest thing for me is to see some examples or a lot of examples. Is spiky hair a bad thing?

 

[protego]

Wear what you would wear to an interview, stand against a blank white wall, and include from the shoulders up.

 

[efle]

Is spiky hair a bad thing?

Spiky like punk rocker or spiky like you gelled the front up a lil bit ?

 

[IlDestriero]

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Il Destriero

 

[LizzyM]

List of youngest members of the United States Congress - Wikipedia
see photos.... picture without American flag but with clothing similar to what is shown would be fine. More commonly, men are photographed without a jacket and with or without a tie but you can't go wrong with a suit.

 

[kopftonmd]

Find someone who can take a good portrait, wear a collared shirt (polo or otherwise), and have a non obtrusive backdrop (nature, solid color, etc). Not to be over thought.

Oh I had never thought of doing it in front of the trees in my backyard. Is this generally accepted as a good way to do it (assuming good lighting, etc.)?

 

[gyngyn]

Oh I had never thought of doing it in front of the trees in my backyard. Is this generally accepted as a good way to do it (assuming good lighting, etc.)?

No.
The goal is business professional.

 

[Jaigantic]

No.
The goal is business professional.

List of youngest members of the United States Congress - Wikipedia
see photos.... picture without American flag but with clothing similar to what is shown would be fine. More commonly, men are photographed without a jacket and with oru without a tie but you can't go wrong with a suit.

Should we shave beards for these photos?

 

[gyngyn]

Should we shave beards for these photos?

Yes, unless it is an expression of your religion or you have a medical condition that precludes it.

 

[Jaigantic]

Yes, unless they are an expression of your religion or you have a medical condition that precludes it.

If this was the case, how would we let the committee know that it's an expression of religion? I feel like it would be kind of weird to put in my secondary "I kept my beard in the photo in the interview b/c it's for religious purposes". If left to come to their own conclusions, would a reviewer just assume that it's a religious thing?

 

[gyngyn]

If this was the case, how would we let the committee know that it's an expression of religion? I feel like it would be kind of weird to put in my secondary "I kept my beard in the photo in the interview b/c it's for religious purposes". If left to come to their own conclusions, would a reviewer just assume that it's a religious thing?

There is wide leeway for religious practice. Leave the beard if that is the reason.
You don't have to tell us.

 

[787593]

A picture is worth a million words. I would like to see what most people look like in their pictures so I can make sure that my picture fits in in every way. I have a talent for making that one mistake that no one thinks about so safest thing for me is to see some examples or a lot of examples. Is spiky hair a bad thing?

 

[LizzyM]

Try not to look too different than you will look at the interview. The photos are provided to us so that we know who we are interviewing and to help us remember you after you leave the interview.

 

[LizzyM]

No.
The goal is business professional.

Yet half of the applicants we interviewed at my school had a background that was other than a blank wall.

 

[gyngyn]

Yet half of the applicants we interviewed at my school had a background that was other than a blank wall.

Mine too.
It's not a dealbreaker (unless it is).
The problem I've found with latitude in advising is that a good proportion of applicants don't know how far to take it and send in a photo that hurts their application.

 

[IlDestriero]

Yes, unless it is an expression of your religion or you have a medical condition that precludes it.

What?
There are other reasons to have facial hair. Good ones. Like, maybe, because you want to have a mustache or beard? Maybe?


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Il Destriero

 

[gyngyn]

What?
There are other reasons to have facial hair. Good ones. Like, maybe, because you want to have a mustache or beard? Maybe?

How about this: If there is any event that you would shave for, shave for your medical school interview (and photo).

 

[cke11]

I cropped a photo of me wearing a collared shirt, tie, and suit jacket that is shoulders up and the background is all green vines. I thought it looked nice and professional and I don't think a photo like this will cause any harm unless you look absolutely unprofessional.

 

[Médecin Qui]

Oh I had never thought of doing it in front of the trees in my backyard. Is this generally accepted as a good way to do it (assuming good lighting, etc.)?

I took my photo in my yard because the lighting was much better, plus the contrast with what I was wearing looked good. I know for my school's accepted students the only common theme with our photos was that they were all head and shoulders shots. Some were taken outside, some inside, and others were not even taken specifically for the secondary. Dress professionally and don't take your photo inside an adult bookstore or butcher's shop and you'll be fine.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

Mine too.
It's not a dealbreaker (unless it is).
The problem I've found with latitude in advising is that a good proportion of applicants don't know how far to take it and send in a photo that hurts their application.

I would love to know how people managed to destroy their application with a photo. Either here or maybe on the 'ill-informed premeds' thread?

 

[gyngyn]

I would love to know how people managed to destroy their application with a photo. Either here or maybe on the 'ill-informed premeds' thread?

Nudity.

 

[Lawpy]

I would love to know how people managed to destroy their application with a photo. Either here or maybe on the 'ill-informed premeds' thread?

Nudity.

 

[dcmorgan96]

Didn't even know this was a thing. I was hoping I wouldn't have to get a haircut until interviews but oh well. I assume the look should very closely resemble how I'll look at interviews?

 

[efle]

I assume the look should very closely resemble how I'll look at interviews?

That's a safe bet, yeah. Plain background, shot of shoulders and head, in what you'd wear to a business attire event

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Pornhub and brazzers. Be sure to look for them with your parents, so they can show you good photos.

On a serious note it's a simple passport style photo. Wear a suit and tie, wrinkle free, glasses (if you wear them; a professional pair, not those godforsaken thick frammed, huge, hipster types). Smile and thats that.

 

[LizzyM]

I would love to know how people managed to destroy their application with a photo. Either here or maybe on the 'ill-informed premeds' thread?