Calling the dean on my behalf... Worried!

[noshie]

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So… I have had several interviews recently, and the physician I work for asked me to give him the name and contact information for the dean of each school I interviewed at. He already wrote me an incredible letter of recommendation, but he said that he remembers being an applicant and feels that calling the dean on my behalf will be beneficial to me. At first I was super excited… Mostly because it is just a really nice thing for someone to do, and it also makes me realize how much he appreciates me. But as it sank in a little bit, I realized that it may make me look like a brat or something… Like I am being too pushy. Though I didn’t put him up to it in any way so I hope that is not the case.

Do you guys think this is as big of a deal as I am making it out to be? Will this hurt me or help me? I mean, either way I am not going to tell him not to do it because that would be kind of rude. But should I be freaking out right now? Not sure… The dean is from the school that is my top choice right now, I just don’t want to look back at the end of the cycle after a rejection and think of what could have happened if he had not called… Also, he is not in any way associated with this school…

Has this ever happened to anyone and did it turn out ok in the end? If so, did it help?

 

[ShinyDome19]

A couple years back, one of the committee members for my graduate school research offered to call the dean of the school of medicine on my behalf. The professor was the head of the JAMP program at the school (I was not in JAMP), but none the less, the day after he called, I received an interview invite from the school....I didnt get in, but it definately didnt hurt me.

The way I see it, if you've impressed someone enough, especially a physician who is probably very busy, to go out of their way and put in a verbal good word for you on top of writing a letter...it could only be benificial

 

[USCTrojan11]

Whats the worst that can happen now that you got into AZCOM (Congrats...jealous)

It really depends on the demeanor of your physician. It could go badly if he seems to force the issue while talking to the dean but it could help greatly if he does so in a calm collective matter that doesn't make her feel like it is forced.

I think I may be in a worse situation. I'm asking a doctor to write me a letter when his wife is the dean of admissions! To make matters worse, he is my dad's close friend and business partner for over 25 years. Also, my numbers are alittle below the school's avg which makes for a strange situation. As a guy I can say it's hard to tell a woman what to do especially if she is more powerful (figuratively) than you. I hope this works out.

 

[Catalystik]

Will this hurt me or help me?

It won't hurt you.

And congrats on the AZCOM acceptance!

 

[ronaldo23]

Whats the worst that can happen now that you got into AZCOM (Congrats...jealous)

It really depends on the demeanor of your physician. It could go badly if he seems to force the issue while talking to the dean but it could help greatly if he does so in a calm collective matter that doesn't make her feel like it is forced.

I think I may be in a worse situation. I'm asking a doctor to write me a letter when his wife is the dean of admissions! To make matters worse, he is my dad's close friend and business partner for over 25 years. Also, my numbers are alittle below the school's avg which makes for a strange situation. As a guy I can say it's hard to tell a woman what to do especially if she is more powerful (figuratively) than you. I hope this works out.

lolwut? That sounds like the best possible situation any pre-med could be in...might be a little awkward to ask, but I'd say having that connection to the dean in general is very solid.

 

[LRAccord624]

lolwut? That sounds like the best possible situation any pre-med could be in...might be a little awkward to ask, but I'd say having that connection to the dean in general is very solid.

Agreed. Use any advantage you possibly can and don't feel guilty about doing it. I felt guilty about a couple good things that happened to me last cycle, but eventually realized that regardless of if you take advantage of your own special opportunities there are a lot of people who are busy taking advantage of their own. So congrats on your first acceptance Noshie and don't worry about your boss calling the dean of the med school. That is awesome!

 

[DoctaFuture]

I think it'll be good if the doc calls after you've had an interview not before. seems kinda like not a good idea if the call is made before an interview invite given.

 

[noshie]

Thanks for your input guys! This makes me feel much better. I guess I was just worrying because it is my first choice school and I want to have a good chance... I spoke with the physicians secretary yesterday and she mentioned that she heard his conversation over the phone with the dean, from what she said it was really great. Super happy 🙂 Hopefully it helps! I need all the help I can get... 🙄

 

[Beamer128]

Thanks for your input guys! This makes me feel much better. I guess I was just worrying because it is my first choice school and I want to have a good chance... I spoke with the physicians secretary yesterday and she mentioned that she heard his conversation over the phone with the dean, from what she said it was really great. Super happy 🙂 Hopefully it helps! I need all the help I can get... 🙄

This is definitely a good thing...to have someone in a position of authority willing to personally vouch for you speaks volumes...good luck!

 

[startswithb]

Ok so my boss just offered to see what he could do about putting in a good word for me in admissions. Should it be before or after an interview?? I am afraid I may not even get an interview invite so maybe before?

 

[DoctaFuture]

Ok so my boss just offered to see what he could do about putting in a good word for me in admissions. Should it be before or after an interview?? I am afraid I may not even get an interview invite so maybe before?

I believe it's better to do it after. It carries more weight afterwards. But it's your call really. gl.

 

[noshie]

Ok so my boss just offered to see what he could do about putting in a good word for me in admissions. Should it be before or after an interview?? I am afraid I may not even get an interview invite so maybe before?

This is great! 🙂 But I also have to agree that after an interview will have more of an impact. However, if you see that you have not received any interviews by close to the end of November or early December, it wouldn't hurt to have him call a few schools... You want to at least have a chance at getting in this year. One of the posters above said a phone call got them an interview... Doing the call now to a school you haven't interviewed at may not be a good idea because it's too early to tell if they were going to give you one to begin with...

And I just looked at your MDapps and see you have an interview invite! Have him call them after your interview!

 

[Sammich117]

I think it would be beneficial if anything. Good luck 🙂

 

[startswithb]

Thanks guys! He is a professor at one of my top choices, where I also work full-time. So, if that school doesn't give me an interview by the end of November I'll ask him about it then.