Connections

[BeachBlondie]

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What are the implications of trying to use a connection when applying? Is it frowned upon? Is it a relatively common occurrence? Does it help?

Say that you happen to be working with an investigator that teaches at your dream school (this investigator is the head of a site of a multi-center study you're coordinating), would you talk to them about your desires to go there (with couth, obviously)?

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

What are the implications of trying to use a connection when applying? Is it frowned upon? Is it a relatively common occurrence? Does it help?

Say that you happen to be working with an investigator that teaches at your dream school (this investigator is the head of a site of a multi-center study you're coordinating), would you talk to them about your desires to go there (with couth, obviously)?

Use them if you can. You will quickly learn that it's not what you know (within reason) but who you know. One of my friends did not have amazing stats but she knew a LOT of people at different schools and got an interview at every school she knew someone at.

 

[Web MD]

Yeah, I'd probably bring up that I'm applying during casual conversation. But until you mention it to them and they respond positively, it's not really a connection. And until they sit on or are friends with the admission committee, it's not a meaningful connection. Connections are how the world works, so I wouldn't hate you for making some and using them

 

[BeachBlondie]

I, technically, will be working with this same site for 2 (possibly 3) multi-center studies run through this lab. This means (since I'm coordinating two of them), I will see/correspond with them on a regular basis. So, I was considering dropping the mention of my motives in there after getting to know them a bit. Establishing that connection, you see.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[dbeast]

The most important part when using a connection is to work your butt off for that person... Someone reviewing your file may just contact the person who you know, and you need to make sure they will have positive things to say. Ideally, if you're really great, they might even offer to write a letter on your behalf later in the cycle. But it all starts with hard work.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Well, here's the anomaly:

He works WITH me. I'm coordinating the study(ies) that his site has been recruited for. I work incredibly hard for my OWN PI, but my dynamic with the site-in-question is more collaborative, and in many cases they work FOR me.

But, I understand what you're saying. And I've always been available, helpful, and efficient in my work. Oftentimes, at one conference or other, all of the PI's get together to have dinner and drinks. That's probably the time to seal a more personal connection..........

....................................PROFESSIONALLY! Sickos...

 

[dbeast]

Well, here's the anomaly:

He works WITH me. I'm coordinating the study(ies) that his site has been recruited for. I work incredibly hard for my OWN PI, but my dynamic with the site-in-question is more collaborative, and in many cases they work FOR me.

But, I understand what you're saying. And I've always been available, helpful, and efficient in my work. Oftentimes, at one conference or other, all of the PI's get together to have dinner and drinks. That's probably the time to seal a more personal connection..........

....................................PROFESSIONALLY! Sickos...

So... you're the boss of the person who works at the medical school you want to go to?

Sounds like he should be required to write you a letter of recommendation or else you'll make him file TPS reports in the basement for the rest of the summer. Problem solved.

 

[BeachBlondie]

So... you're the boss of the person who works at the medical school you want to go to?

Sounds like he should be required to write you a letter of recommendation or else you'll make him file TPS reports in the basement for the rest of the summer. Problem solved.

I already took his Sharpline stapler.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

i dunno about reg md, but my pi pretty much directly got me an md/phd acceptance when the committee was on the fence and called him.

 

[young2sj]

I agree. If you're going to be working with him, then you should definitely be proactive and (once you get more comfortable with him) ask him what he thinks about the school and that you are very interested/considering applying.

connections are never a bad thing, unless you're the adcoms' drug dealer or mistress...

 

[Web MD]

+1 for office space reference

 

[dbeast]

I agree. If you're going to be working with him, then you should definitely be proactive and (once you get more comfortable with him) ask him what he thinks about the school and that you are very interested/considering applying.

connections are never a bad thing, unless you're the adcoms' drug dealer or mistress...

You sir, must be a rookie at blackmail. This would be the ideal situation.

 

[BeachBlondie]

No, no...

IDEALLY, you'd be the mistress AND drug dealer. A "Pusher Pet," if you will.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

i approve of where this thread is headed

 

[BeachBlondie]

 

[Web MD]

business + pleasure = acceptance? I like this math