Advisor/Mentor calling PD on your behalf

[WallowaWanderer]

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Matchitis, not otherwise specified . . .

Just curious what you guys think on this. I know where I really want to go, and I'm already planing to write/call the PD personally. But, I'm wondering if it's a good idea to also ask a mentor to call on my behalf. If so, should this be a person who knows me really well (i.e. letter writer) or someone with a really big name in EM but doesn't know me as well/hasn't worked shifts with me/only met with in office.

And another question - does anyone know when programs finalize their match lists? I know PDs aren't going to be fretting over this on Feb 27 like some of us may be, but when do they decide? Is everything going to be pretty solidified in early Feb or do they wait until the middle of the month? Maybe BKN could chime in on this one?

 

[roja]

Never throw the name card, especially if they don't know you very well. It will come across as pretentious and obnoxious. Not only that, if the PD starts asking questions, and the 'name' says they don't really know you, some might use that to ding you.

However, if you have a mentor, who really knows you well and will speak well on your behalf, it might not hurt to have them call. It probably won't hurt you and it might help. If your mentor knows the PD, this can help out.

 

[ingwe kilmister]

If you're a "marginal" candidate (however you define that) and you consider your top choice to be a long shot it might be worthwhile to have someone who knows you well to put in a good word for you- nothing to loose right? However, judging by where you've interviewed I wouldn't exactly put you in what I would consider to be a "marginal" category- its highly likely you will get your #1. Therefore, an email declaring your love and devotion to numero uno will probably be sufficient (although probably not necessary as well). IMHO it just seems a little over the top, especially if your a competitive candidate to go to that length......however, I will admit, as a resident, its much easier to sit on the sidelines, already immunized to matchitis and give advice. I was there. I feel your pain.

 

[WallowaWanderer]

however, I will admit, as a resident, its much easier to sit on the sidelines, already immunized to matchitis and give advice. I was there. I feel your pain.

Need . . . (tachypneic) . . . immunization . . . (stridorous) . . . for . . . (diaphoretic) . . . matchitis . . . (myadriatic) . . . now!

 

[roja]

Relax! seriously. You will do fine. deep breath. watch bad tv. you will be fine. 🙂

 

[sleepymed]

Relax! seriously. You will do fine. deep breath. watch bad tv. you will be fine. 🙂

oh my goodness, i think i have set the record for the amount of bad tv i have watched!!! i watched dancing with the stars, am watching dance war, even watched one tree hill the other day... my bad tv watching is hitting all time lows!!!



...and i'm loving it!!

 

[WallowaWanderer]

Relax! seriously. You will do fine. deep breath. watch bad tv. you will be fine. 🙂

Haha, I know. It comes in waves.

Do you think I should send a nice box of chocolates to the PD at my favorite program?

 

[southerndoc]

Haha, I know. It comes in waves.

Do you think I should send a nice box of chocolates to the PD at my favorite program?

That might backfire if the PD is allergic to chocolate! I guess you could cover yourself by also sending some epi and Benadryl.

 

[Hawk22]

Never throw the name card, especially if they don't know you very well. It will come across as pretentious and obnoxious. Not only that, if the PD starts asking questions, and the 'name' says they don't really know you, some might use that to ding you.

However, if you have a mentor, who really knows you well and will speak well on your behalf, it might not hurt to have them call. It probably won't hurt you and it might help. If your mentor knows the PD, this can help out.

This is GREAT advice! The only thing I would add is that if you have someone call directly on your behalf, be SURE that you are putting that place #1 on your list. If you have a last-second change of heart, it won't look good for you or your advisor if you match elsewhere and this could damage their credibility for other students in the future.

 

[dlung]

My med school mentor was a decently-published EM attending. She knew me reasonably well since I did some research with her, worked some shifts with her, and just met/corresponded with her semi-regularly. When I met with her once about interviewing or doing my letter of rec or something, I didn't have to ask--she offered to make 2 calls for me. That was nice. Never asked my program director if it made a difference--probably don't remember anything that far back.

 

[Hard24Get]

Ha! I wanted to start this same thread. My home PD has also offered to make calls for us (hopefully he doesn't think we're all marginal ). I was also wondering about the potential impact (because I, too, have matchitis) and whether I should also email or just play it cool while he does the dirty work.

 

[mar8d]

So I just called my #1 program and told them I wanted them to be my valentine...on the PD's voicemail...very scary. Not sure if I should have waited to speak with the PD directly, but there it is... man, i feel pretty lame begging them to love me.

Hopefully they feel the same. Don't think I'll ask a mentor to call on my behalf - I feel kinda wierd about it. Wonder if it might blow up in my face

Oh well, we'll see

By the way I just discovered the *other* smileys and got carried away.

 

[WallowaWanderer]

Ha! I wanted to start this same thread. My home PD has also offered to make calls for us (hopefully he doesn't think we're all marginal ). I was also wondering about the potential impact (because I, too, have matchitis) and whether I should also email or just play it cool while he does the dirty work.

I wish someone had offered that to me! I've heard of PD's doing that for their students though . . . how nice it would be.

 

[mar8d]

oops

 

[roja]

Haha, I know. It comes in waves.

Do you think I should send a nice box of chocolates to the PD at my favorite program?

Money works well. In small bills.

 

[BKN]

Matchitis, not otherwise specified . . .


And another question - does anyone know when programs finalize their match lists? I know PDs aren't going to be fretting over this on Feb 27 like some of us may be, but when do they decide? Is everything going to be pretty solidified in early Feb or do they wait until the middle of the month? Maybe BKN could chime in on this one?

Varies, I think. Our rank party is the 19th.

 

[gutonc]

Varies, I think. Our rank party is the 19th.

Does your rank party include booze?

It should.

 

[NJEMT1]

I'm jealous of people who can have their home PD make a call. My school doesn't have a home program! I am sure there are others out there like me.

 

[WallowaWanderer]

Varies, I think. Our rank party is the 19th.

Wow, my rank party is the next day on the 20th!

oh, wait . . . different month.

 

[Universe_Explorer]

I wish someone had offered that to me! I've heard of PD's doing that for their students though . . . how nice it would be.

Seriously. Even if I wanted to ask someone to put in a good word for me, I don't really have that someone to ask! I guess this is where having good mentorship can make a difference, and my school is really lacking in EM mentors...

 

[Dr. Dukes]

Seriously. Even if I wanted to ask someone to put in a good word for me, I don't really have that someone to ask! I guess this is where having good mentorship can make a difference, and my school is really lacking in EM mentors...

At least you're school's EM program isn't the one program every year that doesn't fill...