APPEARANCES

Maybe I should have you students read this at the beginning of the semester, well before you come and ask me for a LOR.  But this is just the first draft. 

        FYI, many LOR forms ask some basic questions about you.  What is your appearance like?  Basically, they are asking if you dress appropriately.  Are your pants hanging down close to your knees with your boxers showing?  Do you come to class in a micro-mini skirt or a top with too much cleavage showing?  Do you come to class reeking as if you have not bathed in a month?  Do you come to class wearing half a bottle of perfume?  Do you shave regularly (not once a month)?  If not, is it trimmed and combed or look like a rat's nest?  What is your make up like?  Is your hair washed and combed, or is it so oily that we could run a car or looks like a robin's nest?  Do you do things in public that would embarrass your mother?  Is your vocabulary laced with four lettered words?  Think about how a doctor or any professional dresses and acts.  This does not mean you have to wear a dress or a suit.  It just means are you dressed presentably.
        Do you come to class on time?  In fact, are you in your seat and ready before class?  Do you sneak out of class early?  Do you greet your colleagues (and your Sensei) with a happy "good morning?"  Is your "Happy Face" right side up or upside down?  Do you interact and collaborate with your fellow students or are you a lump taking up space in the back of the room?

       One instructor once put it succinctly.... Are you a Tigger or are you an Eeyore?   If you do not know what he means, watch a few episodes of Winnie-the-Pooh. 

        What are your ethics?  Cutting corners?  How do I cheat on the next exam? 

        There are a lot of social networking sites... MySpace, Facebook, and others I am not familiar with.  If I was an employer or a member of the selection committee for a medical school, one of the first things I would do is Google you. I would have my staff run a search on you in MySpace, Facebook, etc.  What would they think if there is a picture of you on the receiving end of a beer bong or later passed out?  What if there are pictures of you in a wet t-shirt contest, or an English Prince playing strip poker...or worse?  Think about what you post on these social networking sites.  AND beware, that the friends you have on your site are a reflection of you, even if you do not do any of the above.  You should try and Google yourself.  What do you think of yourself?   I recently watched the Angelina Jolie movie "Wanted."  Remember the young man in the movie Googling himself and getting NO hits.  Remember if you find nothing, that is not good either (Tigger vs Eeyore)

        We won't even discuss if you have been convicted of DUI or possession or... 

        I just read something from "head hunters" and resume writers.  Some of you have interesting email addresses like "bikinichick@bmail.com or BongMan@bmail.com.  Both are fictitious, but you get the idea.  Would you be interesting interviewing or hiring someone with those email addresses?

Sensei

Updated on 11 February 2013