Contacting admissions before applying

[MedGal96]

Hi !!
So I am a pretty traditional applicant. I am a biology major at a small university in California and will be applying for med school pretty soon! I plan to take my MCAT around April 2018 and then apply in June!! So I have been reading up about different schools and I was wondering if it would be worth while to contact the dean of admissions of the school I am really interested in?
Do you think they would be willing to meet with me (super quick) and maybe guide me toward bettering my application???
Also, I feel like it won't hurt to try since they provide their email anyways, but like what would I say in the email ........... ??

Thanks!

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[ODea]

I'm sure he's very busy although maybe he could give you some advice. I feel like it would be better just to get assistance from a doctor you shadowed I'm sure they can give you some good tips.

 

[ciestar]

Do not do this. Please.

 

[ItsAMeMario007]

I wouldn't recommend contacting directly the Dean of Admissions but try contacting just the admissions committee. If not the Dean, someone in the committee could meet up to discuss your app.
I am also a traditional application for this current cycle and my state schools (in NJ) actually encourage setting up a meeting to discuss the application beforehand (especially if you are ED, but also useful for regular apps).
I would not do it right now but wait till later. What I did was that I completed my entire app (with MCAT score, GPA, and essays) and then emailed in April to set up a meeting in the end of May before AMCAS opened. Generally, this is a relatively less busy time for the adcoms and you would still have time to improve application as the cycle progresses (based on the adcom's critique). My meeting helped me for sure.

 

[MedGal96]

I wouldn't recommend contacting directly the Dean of Admissions but try contacting just the admissions committee. If not the Dean, someone in the committee could meet up to discuss your app.
I am also a traditional application for this current cycle and my state schools (in NJ) actually encourage setting up a meeting to discuss the application beforehand (especially if you are ED, but also useful for regular apps).
I would not do it right now but wait till later. What I did was that I completed my entire app (with MCAT score, GPA, and essays) and then emailed in April to set up a meeting in the end of May before AMCAS opened. Generally, this is a relatively less busy time for the adcoms and you would still have time to improve application as the cycle progresses (based on the adcom's critique). My meeting helped me for sure.

Hmmm true!!! Thanks! I think I should definitely wait until my application is more put together like with my MCAT, etc! Thaks

 

[Goro]

Hi !!
So I am a pretty traditional applicant. I am a biology major at a small university in California and will be applying for med school pretty soon! I plan to take my MCAT around April 2018 and then apply in June!! So I have been reading up about different schools and I was wondering if it would be worth while to contact the dean of admissions of the school I am really interested in?
Do you think they would be willing to meet with me (super quick) and maybe guide me toward bettering my application???
Also, I feel like it won't hurt to try since they provide their email anyways, but like what would I say in the email ........... ??

Thanks!

That's not their job. You have advisors at school, and right here on SDN. Just ignore the hyper-neuroticism here.

 

[21Rush12]

I agree with Goro, I think the best play is to have your app reviewed by your advisors. While I have heard of this, it's definitely 100% not necessary to contact schools in advance. You should be able to find enough advising here and at your UG to do just fine.

Good luck to you!


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[gyngyn]

I wouldn't recommend contacting directly the Dean of Admissions but try contacting just the admissions committee. If not the Dean, someone in the committee could meet up to discuss your app.
I am also a traditional application for this current cycle and my state schools (in NJ) actually encourage setting up a meeting to discuss the application beforehand (especially if you are ED, but also useful for regular apps).
I would not do it right now but wait till later. What I did was that I completed my entire app (with MCAT score, GPA, and essays) and then emailed in April to set up a meeting in the end of May before AMCAS opened. Generally, this is a relatively less busy time for the adcoms and you would still have time to improve application as the cycle progresses (based on the adcom's critique). My meeting helped me for sure.

Many committees no longer identify members.
I have heard that public schools in less populous states may be more open to this type of advising, though.

 

[kwu]

I do not think it is a bad idea to contact someone from the admission committee. Just send him/her a professional email describing your situation and why you want to meet. You can also email the admission office and ask if you can talk with the dean.

A friend of mine actually met with the dean and they spent about two hours talking and discussing the admission process. While I believe that my friend got extremely lucky to be able to spend that much time with the dean, it is still possible!

 

[@Hazel-rah]

I didn't email deans directly, but rather the admissions@ medschool . Com email addresses and I had multiple meetings for transcript review 1 year prior to applying, with admissions specialists (not deans). I had no trouble and was welcomed with open arms to all meetings. I didn't have access to an adviser and I was specifically asking for a transcript review. YMMV depending on your situation. Good luck though!
(Also, my first try/meeting was at a local school that I probably didn't want to apply to... just to test the ropes and not travel too far...)