Bias in acceptance and ethics

[alexrgross]

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recently, I am considering asking some contacts to call the schools where my app is open - asking to have my file considered for interview.

One pointed out that is not good, and can be a unlawful way to receive an interview. And that the admissions office could be sued for accepting me on the ground of an interview won in this way.

As applicants, do we think of each other as unethical for this action?

I never heard of any policy against having third parties phone admissions offices on behalf of the applicant. It seems fine to me, seeing as it is a personal favor and not done for USDs.I mean, anyone can access this action if sought.

 

[CoolWhipp]

I wouldn't do it, but if you think it can help you and you are aware of what you are doing... why not. Who cares about what is ethical to other premeds, the world isn't an ethical place. It is the duty of the adcoms to decide whether or not this is ethical, and either take action or ignore.

Plus, this happens all the time.

 

[UofRochesterMed]

To be honest, I would 100% do it without even thinking about it twice. They tell you to network and to me this is part of networking. It should be to your advantage that you have those type of connections so why not take full advantage of it.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

recently, I am considering asking some contacts to call the schools where my app is open - asking to have my file considered for interview.

One pointed out that is not good, and can be a unlawful way to receive an interview. And that the admissions office could be sued for accepting me on the ground of an interview won in this way.

As applicants, do we think of each other as unethical for this action?

I never heard of any policy against having third parties phone admissions offices on behalf of the applicant. It seems fine to me, seeing as it is a personal favor and not done for USDs.I mean, anyone can access this action if sought.

Okay before you screw yourself, lets get this definition straight. When people talk about "contacts", it's assumed you mean someone who's golf buddies with the dean of admissions or something. Maybe they've worked together before, maybe you know someone who's big buddies with the chief financial aid officer, maybe they're neighbors with someone on the admissions committee, etc.

If you're in good graces with a professor/whatever who knows someone on an admissions committee, no one should be calling the admissions office. It's more of like a "Hey Bob I really like this kid, maybe you should give his app a second look wink wink". If you're having random people who wrote you rec letters call the admissions office, even if they're some big shot at your school, I highly doubt it's gonna do anything for you. It'll probably make you look like a little b*tch who's calling in the grownups to talk to the other grownups for you.

I have no idea what you mean by the admissions office could be sued. The application process is subjective as crap anyway...and I don't even know what someone could be suing them for. What?

 

[tiedyeddog]

recently, I am considering asking some contacts to call the schools where my app is open - asking to have my file considered for interview.

One pointed out that is not good, and can be a unlawful way to receive an interview. And that the admissions office could be sued for accepting me on the ground of an interview won in this way.

As applicants, do we think of each other as unethical for this action?

I never heard of any policy against having third parties phone admissions offices on behalf of the applicant. It seems fine to me, seeing as it is a personal favor and not done for USDs.I mean, anyone can access this action if sought.

No one will sue you or anyone else, use whatever contact you have.

 

[pkwraith]

First of all, it's not "unlawful", unless you can cite the specific law that it's breaking.

The likelihood of a civil suit brought forth by this individual action is close to 0.

 

[0919mmk]

Yeah, do whatever you can. It's the job of the admissions committee to be fair in its decisions - beyond that, you can throw any kind of info at them that you want from whomever you want.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

I don't see this being a big deal. Go for it. It could be your ticket in for an interview.

 

[GetThePointe77]

At this point in the cycle it doesnt seem to be a bad idea to me. There are so many qualified people applying to medical school, I see no issue with using any and all connections you have. A lot of people will say, wont you feel better if you get in on your own merit, but I feel like you are getting in on your own merit, its just there are 1000 other people with equal merit and you need to stand out in some way from the crowd. Potentially I feel this way because I am pretty much unable to do this... because personally, my parents are lawyers, so I have next to no connections in the field.
If they were going to interview you anyway, a phone call isnt going to make them think that youre a "little b*tch" or whatever and at worst you wont get an interview and you wouldnt have gotten an interview.... either way...good luck with UCF (i stalked your mdapps)!!

 

[candav]

It seems to me that this is just a more aggressive relative to the letter of recommendation.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

If they were going to interview you anyway, a phone call isnt going to make them think that youre a "little b*tch" or whatever and at worst you wont get an interview and you wouldnt have gotten an interview.... either way...good luck with UCF (i stalked your mdapps)!!

No, if they were going to interview you anyway at this point, annoying phone calls from people they don't know might not work too well in your favor. There's no way around it, the people getting interviews now (who have been complete for a while) are usually at the bottom of the consideration pile at most schools. It would probably take something substantial for an interview invite at this point like a significant update letter or oh say a call from the Dean's golfing buddy. Don't get your hopes up if you don't have a real connect.

 

[flyhi]

It happens all the time. Do it.

 

[Stumpyman]

I'd do it, but I'd make sure I don't make any large waves. I wouldn't want to end up getting myself screwed over in case I don't get in and have to reapply.

 

[MIAYO]

Just do it. Use every advantage you can.

 

[Sephiroth]

Just do it. Use every advantage you can.

this. The world isn't fair, and that's just the reality we must accept. Those who would forgo any advantage they could gain for the sake of pride or honor will be no better off for it, but those who do take advantage of such resources will get ahead. In the business world this is even more extreme, but no matter where you go there are politics involved. Take whatever you can get so long as it wont make you any enemies you wouldnt want.

 

[AllDaWEI]

this. The world isn't fair, and that's just the reality we must accept. Those who would forgo any advantage they could gain for the sake of pride or honor will be no better off for it, but those who do take advantage of such resources will get ahead. In the business world this is even more extreme, but no matter where you go there are politics involved. Take whatever you can get so long as it wont make you any enemies you wouldnt want.

+1000000 Internet Points

The medical school admissions cycle is one big game. You would be an idiot to not use every available resource to win.

Connections are powerful tool that work in your favor. If you don't use your networking connections, then how about the pre-med whose dad is on the admissions committee, the pre-med whose uncle is golf buddies with the dean, or the pre-med whose mom is best friends with a volunteer coordinator that will sign off on any amount of hours? All of these give big advantages.

Sometimes merit and integrity need to take the back seat. If you value them so much, then you may or may not need to reapply and lose a year of your life. The world is not fair, and only people who will genuinely care about you unconditionally is your immediate family. Why care about some anonymous pre-med who couldn't care less about you? Is it worth potentially sacrificing a year of your life by not using this connection just to help them? This is YOUR life, and do what YOU need to in order to get ahead.

This is real life.

 

[equinsu ocha]

+1000000 Internet Points

The medical school admissions cycle is one big game. You would be an idiot to not use every available resource to win.

Connections are powerful tool that work in your favor. If you don't use your networking connections, then how about the pre-med whose dad is on the admissions committee, the pre-med whose uncle is golf buddies with the dean, or the pre-med whose mom is best friends with a volunteer coordinator that will sign off on any amount of hours? All of these give big advantages.

Sometimes merit and integrity need to take the back seat. If you value them so much, then you may or may not need to reapply and lose a year of your life. The world is not fair, and only people who will genuinely care about you unconditionally is your immediate family. Why care about some anonymous pre-med who couldn't care less about you? Is it worth potentially sacrificing a year of your life by not using this connection just to help them? This is YOUR life, and do what YOU need to in order to get ahead.

This is real life.

You embody most of what is wrong with this world.

 

[AllDaWEI]

You embody most of what is wrong with this world.

I never had connections when I applied. I'm grateful I got in. I'm sure my friends who applied but did not make the cycle may have lost out to people with connections.

The world is not a happy place full of sunshine, lollipops, and puppy dogs. If you don't compete, you will be left behind. I'm not saying to murder or blatantly lie, but if you have connections to get your leg up, then use it.