big-shot phone call to adcom

[bsteves4]

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so ive worked with this professor that is a big-shot in his field (neuro), and ive worked with him very closely for 2 summers. i know that if i ask him, he would be more than willing to make a phone call to an adcom and recommend me enthusiastically.. do you think this would be a good thing, or just simply too much.(he has already sent a rec letter) thanks!!


bsteves

 

[Saluki]

I think that's a little over the top, but what do I know?

 

[butmylipshurtrealbad]

Unless he has a very close association with the school, especially with the person he is calling, I think it would seem over the top. His letter should be good enough.

so ive worked with this professor that is a big-shot in his field (neuro), and ive worked with him very closely for 2 summers. i know that if i ask him, he would be more than willing to make a phone call to an adcom and recommend me enthusiastically.. do you think this would be a good thing, or just simply too much.(he has already sent a rec letter) thanks!!


bsteves

 

[Law2Doc]

so ive worked with this professor that is a big-shot in his field (neuro), and ive worked with him very closely for 2 summers. i know that if i ask him, he would be more than willing to make a phone call to an adcom and recommend me enthusiastically.. do you think this would be a good thing, or just simply too much.(he has already sent a rec letter) thanks!!


bsteves

Unless he has some relationship with the person he is calling, this could really rub folks the wrong way. Just because you or he thinks he is a big shot doesn't mean a given dean will know him from adam.

 

[kovalchuk]

Does he work for the same univeristy you're applying to? If yes, if he is in fact a big-shot, his letter probably means enough, so it would be unnecessary, IMO. If not, will they definitely know who he is? Even big shot doctors may not be well known. The well known ones seem to be notorious. I woulnd't want Dr. Kevorkian arguing on my behalf! 😀

 

[Napoleon4000]

FYI an admissions committee is made up of a group of people who decide. Having a big shot call one person seems very inappropriate and arrogant. Despite the fact that this process is subjective, I'm certain that committees frown on loosing their sovereignty. I agree with some of the people posting here, unless that "big shot" person has a personal relationship with everyone on the adcom, don't do it. 😳

 

[USArmyDoc]

FYI an admissions committee is made up of a group of people who decide. Having a big shot call one person seems very inappropriate and arrogant. Despite the fact that this process is subjective, I'm certain that committees frown on loosing their sovereignty. I agree with some of the people posting here, unless that "big shot" person has a personal relationship with everyone on the adcom, don't do it. 😳

While what you said is true, I would probably assume that if a committee member pushes an applicant hard enough because they really want them in the school the committee will agree. Not to suggest that it can be done with someone who has a 20 and 3.0, but a competitive applicant.

 

[45408]

While what you said is true, I would probably assume that if a committee member pushes an applicant hard enough because they really want them in the school the committee will agree. Not to suggest that it can be done with someone who has a 20 and 3.0, but a competitive applicant.

You're probably right. If I was working with a group of peers, and one person (of my seniority or higher) was adamant about something that I was uncertain about, I'd probably agree with their decision. I'd hope for the same.

 

[thegenius]

so ive worked with this professor that is a big-shot in his field (neuro), and ive worked with him very closely for 2 summers. i know that if i ask him, he would be more than willing to make a phone call to an adcom and recommend me enthusiastically.. do you think this would be a good thing, or just simply too much.(he has already sent a rec letter) thanks!!


bsteves

Well, this is the kind of thing that your professor has to feel comfortable doing. If he is willing to call a specific school, let him do it! Wow, that would be great. If he didn't feel comfortable doing that, then he would tell you. He'll probably tell you off the bat whether he knows someone or not. Blindly calling adcoms is something most people wouldn't do, unless he has incredible courage.

 

[Napoleon4000]

It's too bad that you are all a bunch of followers. But hey, if George can push a candidate, why can't everyone else.

 

[45408]

It's too bad that you are all a bunch of followers. But hey, if George can push a candidate, why can't everyone else.

thanks for the enlightening comment, oh great one

 

[Law2Doc]

unless that "big shot" person has a personal relationship with everyone on the adcom, don't do it. 😳

No, he only needs to have a personal relationship with one person on adcom to get some benefit. You just need one advocate in there (preferably the dean), to bolster your odds. Recommendations certainly wouldn't get you over big numerical humps, but likely could get your app looked at with more borderline numbers, and maybe even a courtesy interview.
It's not an issue of leader-followers, its an issue of going through 10,000 apps to select 600 to interview, and they need to drastically narrow the piles, so there are several points where someone can advocate you into the right pile before anybody really cares.

 

[BooMed]

Hmm... if he knows you're applying and he hasn't volunteered to call for you, I wouldn't ask.

I work in the hospital for the school that I applied to, and pretty much everyone I encountered offered to advocate for me if they got a chance. Maybe they did and maybe they didn't, but I doubt it made any difference. I did have a letter of rec from a doc who went there, though, which I think was more powerful.

 

[ND2005]

It's too bad that you are all a bunch of followers. But hey, if George can push a candidate, why can't everyone else.

Nice addition to the convo.

This is actually how most committees work. People push hard for the candidates they like (b/c they either interviewed them, or were the first to review their file, or read the LORs and really liked them, or whatever). On some adcoms, every candidate has an advocate on the committee who is responsible for presenting them to the entire group, and is usually the one pushing hard for them.

So if an adcom were to say, this guy has worked with Bob, my good friend and a guy I really respect, for 2 years and I've talked to Bob and he is an excellent candidate, then the rest of the committee would probably listen and include that in their considerations, not get pissed off.

I would agree though that having this guy call only makes sense if he is at the same school or knows someone in the administration personally. Just having a random bigshot doc call is probably not going to do anything more than a strong LOR would.

 

[OHMAN0125]

so ive worked with this professor that is a big-shot in his field (neuro), and ive worked with him very closely for 2 summers. i know that if i ask him, he would be more than willing to make a phone call to an adcom and recommend me enthusiastically.. do you think this would be a good thing, or just simply too much.(he has already sent a rec letter) thanks!!


bsteves

ARE U CRAZY??? LOL....I'm just playing but dont do it. It will look bad unless he is friends witht the Deans or something

 

[USArmyDoc]

You're probably right. If I was working with a group of peers, and one person (of my seniority or higher) was adamant about something that I was uncertain about, I'd probably agree with their decision. I'd hope for the same.

Exactly Prowler.....It is like if you and I were on the admissions committee. We are sitting together and you turn to me and say listen USArmydoc I have this great kid. Yea his numbers arn't great but they are definitely "acceptable." I would really appreciate it if we can get this kid in here, interview him/her and see if we like them as an applicant.

For some reason, I would find it hard to believe that the committee would turn that down especially if it is the dean talking. Remember, these people on the committees are just that.....people. They may need to try to help someone they know get in.

 

[shortyganoush]

Actually, I'm pretty sure it would only look bad if this Professor is pushy or arrogant. If not, from what I've heard if it doesn't help you, it still shouldn't hurt for many of the reasons others have listed above. It also may be a good thing regardless of your Prof's status because its complementary when anyone who you worked with makes the extra effort to call on your behalf. Several of the doctors that I work with have offered to call on my adcoms for me (although I'll admit I feel awkward reminding them about it). Also, at one of the MSTP programs that I interviewed at, the director promoted the school by telling us that he will make phone calls on our behalves for residencies.