In today’s world, one bad viral video can tarnish a reputation. As the technology generation, how do we balance our social media presence with the professionalism required during residency applications?
I grew up with limited social media exposure, but college introduced a new era of digital identity. I quickly got swept up in the fitness influencer trend: posting vlogs, curated Instagram content, and branding myself as a fitness enthusiast. It was my first experiment in building a personal brand online.
When it came time to apply to medical school, I never mentioned my social media presence, and none of my interviewers brought it up. As far as I could tell, it had no real impact, positive or negative, on my application. Still, I remained cautious. At that point, social media and applying to medical school didn’t seem directly connected, but I knew that wouldn’t always be the case.
During medical school, I attempted to keep posting, but I underestimated how time-consuming editing and content creation could be. Although positive comments fueled a “post everything” mindset, I began to recognize the risk of oversharing. I backed off. Then COVID hit, and with everything on pause, social media took center stage.
In 2020, I jumped into TikTok trends just for fun, not to grow a following. But in 2021, after sharing my unmatched physician journey, I quickly gained over 30K followers. Suddenly, my story was public. Some reactions were supportive, others harsh. That’s the nature of putting yourself out there. I avoided dancing videos and never filmed during rotations, but even some seemingly harmless posts felt unprofessional in hindsight.
However, a few posts made a real impact. One of my now co-residents reached out to say that seeing my journey gave them hope during Match season. Another moment that stuck with me was when my former ambulance service boss texted me, praising a TikTok I had made in support of first responders. It reminded me that my audience included real people: coworkers, supervisors, maybe even future patients.
As residency began, I posted less. After long days charting, the last thing I wanted was more screen time. By my final year, I made my accounts private, deleted old videos, and shifted my focus to pursuits like Motivate MD. Social media during residency became less important as other priorities took over. That may change post-residency, but for now, privacy feels right.
I share all this because I’ve experienced social media from many angles. I’ve had supervisors, peers, and even strangers comment on my content. Posting may feel like shouting into the void, but in reality, it’s public and permanent.
The biggest debate I’ve had with mentors, coworkers, and even my parents was whether social media is an asset or liability when applying to residency.
No program ever brought up my social media presence, but I often wondered: Did they see it? Did it impact their decision? Whether or not program directors are actively searching your TikTok or Instagram, the truth is this: you never want to be the applicant known for a controversial post circulating among faculty.
You have control over what you post and how you present yourself. This is what PR professionals call “controlling the narrative.” Whether you’re advocating for mental health, showcasing your journey through med school, or expressing hobbies like EDM festivals or fashion, your social media presence during residency applications can either work in your favor or raise concerns.
Residency programs aren’t necessarily looking for social media stars. What they are looking for are residents who are professional, reliable, and drama-free. Your online presence doesn’t have to be sterile, but it should reflect judgment and maturity. Different generations view social media differently. Some see it as a distraction, while others see it as a platform for good. Be thoughtful when discussing your social media usage with attendings, interviewers, or older colleagues.
Some students choose complete privacy, sharing content only with trusted friends. Others leave their accounts public and build a following with transparency and purpose. There’s no one right answer, but know that social media can impact how you’re perceived during residency interviews.
As a future physician, you decide how to use social media and what it says about you. The internet is permanent. Not everyone will agree with your choices, and that’s okay. What matters is that your actions align with your values.
This advice applies not only to social media during the residency application process, but to all areas of your life. Act with intention, stay aligned with your goals, and move forward with confidence. The narrative is yours to write, so write it well.
Written By: Paige J., DO
Dr. Johnson, an Internal Medicine resident at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, holds fervent interests in cardiology, critical care, and OMM. Having navigated a challenging path through medical school and securing a residency position, she aims to offer support to others facing the Match/SOAP process.
