Why are medical schools asking for photo's?

[Treage]

---

Members do not see this ad.

n/t

 

[csmittyB]

If you were an adcom would you really want to take the time to interview this guy?

 

[Poliscidoc]

If you were an adcom would you really want to take the time to interview this guy?

Um maybe if we only worked with the blind or color blind?

 

[Treage]

If you were an adcom would you really want to take the time to interview this guy?

So then you're trying to imply they discriminate based on appearance?

 

[Infinity6]

it probably just makes it easier to remember who's who when inviting people for interviews, interviewing, and then accepting. I bet they'd hate to accept the wrong person... I know I'd hate if they confused me with someone else...

 

[willthethrill]

to put a name with a face. It's nice when they have you do it beforehand because a few schools take your picture on interview day which was a little awkward.

 

[sedaniel]

Actually, I can't believe nobody told you this already, but medical schools only accept their most incredibly attractive applicants.

🤣

 

[cbrons]

Actually, I can't believe nobody told you this already, but medical schools only accept their most incredibly attractive applicants.

🤣

I should be a shoe in then

 

[ManUnderFire]

I should be a shoe in then

unless that's a picture of you.....

Then again, I doubt I would win over any souls with my unassuming appearance <------.

 

[ManUnderFire]

If you were an adcom would you really want to take the time to interview this guy?

I dunno...there's something about the khaki blazer that says "I would make a damn good attending someday".

 

[JaggerPlate]

I dunno...there's something about the khaki blazer that says "I would make a damn good attending someday".

lololololol. God that was funny 👍

 

[cbrons]

they won't accept me if I send in my real pic - my good looks would distract from the learning environment

 

[Helen Wheels]

Seriously, though, I guess they just want to be able to put a face to the application. I guess they might also use it for interviews as identification to make sure they are rating the correct applicant?

I don't like it though. Anyone who has taken social psychology knows the numerous studies that have shown that "attractive" people are more likely to be perceived as having positive qualities and "less attractive" people are perceived as having less desireable qualities. This is even knowing nothing else about the person, just seeing a picture.

In my more paranoid moments I worry that the adcom could have a bias (maybe even a subconscious one) that makes them not like something about my photo and this leads them to quickly decide to reject me. It could happen... 😱

 

[svftw]

They're looking to see if your face is symmetrical or not.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Seriously, though, I guess they just want to be able to put a face to the application. I guess they might also use it for interviews as identification to make sure they are rating the correct applicant?

I don't like it though. Anyone who has taken social psychology knows the numerous studies that have shown that "attractive" people are more likely to be perceived as having positive qualities and "less attractive" people are perceived as having less desireable qualities. This is even knowing nothing else about the person, just seeing a picture.

In my more paranoid moments I worry that the adcom could have a bias (maybe even a subconscious one) that makes them not like something about my photo and this leads them to quickly decide to reject me. It could happen... 😱

Tip:
If you make sure it is just a mugshot and not a full body, they'll never know you're a midget...until it's too late.

 

[BassCaster]

post the picture you're going to send. i'll tell you if you're hot or not.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

If you were an adcom would you really want to take the time to interview this guy?

IF this guy had a 4.0 gpa and a 39 MCAT, as an adcom wouldn't you be a little curious as to what went on in his life?

 

[Helen Wheels]

IF this guy had a 4.0 gpa and a 39 MCAT, as an adcom wouldn't you be a little curious as to what went on in his life?

I think he might have some trouble on his clinical rotations. Seriously, hospital dress codes stipulate things like what color of hair is acceptable (many will specifically state that "non-human" hair colors are not allowed). It wouldn't surprise me if some places forbid obvious tattoos.

I guess as long as he was personable and a good physician I'd be okay with him being my doctor. 😀

 

[sedaniel]

Tip:
If you make sure it is just a mugshot and not a full body, they'll never know you're a midget...until it's too late.

I literally LOL-ed at this

 

[smarttee88]

Um maybe if we only worked with the blind or color blind?

Nah,only if you worked with the blind. The colorblind would still see the "artwork", just not as vividly as folks who aren't colorblind.

 

[JaggerPlate]

IF this guy had a 4.0 gpa and a 39 MCAT, as an adcom wouldn't you be a little curious as to what went on in his life?

He did so much medical volunteering in Africa that the tribe decided to make him an honorary member and give him the proper tribal markings. That's how I'd spin it at least ... but I only have a few facial tats.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Tip:
you ... never know you're a midget...until it's too late.

Wheww ... been there before 😉

 

[scpod]

Seriously, though, I guess they just want to be able to put a face to the application. I guess they might also use it for interviews as identification to make sure they are rating the correct applicant?

That's exactly the reason. People tend to remember you better when they put a name to your face. They also may give pictures to your advisors or other professors so that they can put a name to your face. It will be in your file so that whenever you visit the dean or the promotions committee or whatever... they can call you by name.

When you apply for residency you will send in a picture to ERAS as well, and they use that photo (sometimes they take another one when you interview) when they discuss how to rank you.

 

[mmikey]

pics or gtfo

 

[kopitar]

send a picture of sanjay gupta

 

[YaBoyAR]

The "man" in me wants to be thankful they do. Cuties would be nice to spend 4 years with....

But really, I can see the pro's and con's for this... Descrimination would happen anyway during the interview anyway.

 

[sustentacular]

I think it's just to verify that it's you showing up for your interview.

 

[kopitar]

I think it's just to verify that it's you showing up for your interview.

Thats an interesting theory. An applicant could very well have another (maybe more confident and articulate) individual blow away the interviewers. Genius. I'm trying to remember if they asked for IDs when I went on my interviews.

 

[twocentnews]

Not to take away from the fun of this thread, but are we talking about passport sized photos? Are you guys getting photos done, or are you using ones you already have?

 

[DbDan]

Thats an interesting theory. An applicant could very well have another (maybe more confident and articulate) individual blow away the interviewers. Genius. I'm trying to remember if they asked for IDs when I went on my interviews.

LECOM you had to show your license and sign in when you got there. Touro didn't ask for my ID but did take a picture of you while you were there.

 

[sustentacular]

Thats an interesting theory. An applicant could very well have another (maybe more confident and articulate) individual blow away the interviewers. Genius. I'm trying to remember if they asked for IDs when I went on my interviews.

I mean why not right? They take biometrics to prove you're the person taking your MCAT.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

To make sure that you are blond haired, blue eyed and fair skinned.

 

[AGLAIA]

Not to take away from the fun of this thread, but are we talking about passport sized photos? Are you guys getting photos done, or are you using ones you already have?

We had a nice red wall to use as a background, I dressed up from the waist up, and had my husband take a seated photo (head and shoulders) using our camera at home. Then had them printed wallet sized at Walgreens. They looked nice enough that the photo department lady called to make sure the "professional photographer" had given permission for me to reprint them.

 

[akinetopsia]

I've heard of cheating on tests, but what about cheating on photos? I've seen a few photoshops in my day!!

Or you could just send in a local actor's photo who is really really ridiculously good looking, and then send them in to the interview. Brilliant!

(not really)

 

[Honze55]

I mean why not right? They take biometrics to prove you're the person taking your MCAT.

This is the reason. Remember that picture they took of you at 8am, all stressed out on your MCAT? Well, that person in the picture better be the person in the secondary app, which better be the person at the interview.

-D