Do alumni hold any sway whatsoever in admissions?

[cryhavoc]

So I was at a convention today presenting research (not mine, I was a representative for the lab I work with, as I explained).

I got to talking about the subject with some older lady for maybe 15 minutes, and she asked where I wanted to go to medical school. I said my top choice school name, but then I said, "But I don't think I'm going to bother applying, my MCAT was too low for that school."

She took down my name and said she would put in a good word, as she went there, and told me to apply anyway.

I'm confused. It isn't like she can write me a letter of recommendation based off of one conversation. Plus, if anything, I would think random alumni calling in would hurt an applicant more than it would help, wouldn't it?

This one random doctor couldn't hold any sway, could she?

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[gyngyn]

This one random doctor couldn't hold any sway, could she?

Very unlikely. Was her name Geffen, Gates, Icahn?

 

[cryhavoc]

Very unlikely. Was her name Geffen, Gates, Icahn?

No, I thought not. Does anyone know if this could hurt me, though? I was wondering some random doctor who used to go there calling in would reek of nepotism and hurt my application.

Almost made me wish I gave a fake name.

 

[NickNaylor]

No, I thought not. Does anyone know if this could hurt me, though? I was wondering some random doctor who used to go there calling in would reek of nepotism and hurt my application.

Almost made me wish I gave a fake name.

Most likely the recommendation will be ignored. It won't hurt you. The chances it'll help you are very slim, but every school is different.

 

[DermViser]

Very unlikely. Was her name Geffen, Gates, Icahn?

Or Alpert, Pritzker, Langone, or Perelman?

 

[DermViser]

No, I thought not. Does anyone know if this could hurt me, though? I was wondering some random doctor who used to go there calling in would reek of nepotism and hurt my application.

Almost made me wish I gave a fake name.

How is it nepotism? You weren't related to the lady. But no it will not hurt you. Stop stressing.

 

[Goro]

Nope.

In situations where the interested party has any sway, like, one of our students trying to help a sibling, we may give the person an interview out of courtesy, and then low wait list the candidate.

The Dean will then tell the recommender that the candidate was too weak.

So I was at a convention today presenting research (not mine, I was a representative for the lab I work with, as I explained).

I got to talking about the subject with some older lady for maybe 15 minutes, and she asked where I wanted to go to medical school. I said my top choice school name, but then I said, "But I don't think I'm going to bother applying, my MCAT was too low for that school."

She took down my name and said she would put in a good word, as she went there, and told me to apply anyway.

I'm confused. It isn't like she can write me a letter of recommendation based off of one conversation. Plus, if anything, I would think random alumni calling in would hurt an applicant more than it would help, wouldn't it?

This one random doctor couldn't hold any sway, could she?