Adcoms, do you contact the contact of unbelievable or far-fetched activities?

[sarcasmrules]

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Let's say some applicant says they spearheaded some big project that will create systematic change. Would you contact the applicant's contact even if they included a letter detailing the applicant's involvement with that project?

 

[LunaOri]

We don’t have time to call every contact. If the PI writes a LOR, I’d believe the experience was legit.

 

[Moko]

We don’t have time to call every contact. If the PI writes a LOR, I’d believe the experience was legit.

Me: So... did so-and-so really do the things you wrote about in your letter?
PI: Yes they did.
Me: Are you sure?
PI: Yes.
Me: Okay, thank you for your time.
PI: Please don't contact me again.

 

[LizzyM]

I'd believe a PI writing on letterhead but some volunteer activities are spearheaded by a friend of the family and the applicant's involvement was actually minimal or fabricated. I asked about two such activities in one interview and the applicant was surprisingly candid about minimal engagement in those activities. Points for honesty but down to the bottom of the staircase after the interview. iykyk

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Let's say some applicant says they spearheaded some big project that will create systematic change. Would you contact the applicant's contact even if they included a letter detailing the applicant's involvement with that project?

I'd interview you about it. Then I'd wonder, why are you giving all of that up just to be a med student, where opportunities to create systematic change (by yourself) are slim to none for the next 10 years? I'd also wonder why your reference would be willing to support letting you go.

Hyperbole turns off many adcoms I've worked with. Humility works much better than bravado.