Contacting alumni who placed into choice programs

[docforsure]

I'd like to contact a couple of people who graduated from my medical school and matched into programs I'm VERY VERY interested in. These are people in their intern years and I'm basically trying to look for insight into how I can follow in their footsteps.

My question is, is this going to be frowned upon? I dbn't really want to bug them obviously but whom better to talk about what I want to do than someone who just did it a year ago? 😍

 

[mimelim]

I'd like to contact a couple of people who graduated from my medical school and matched into programs I'm VERY VERY interested in. These are people in their intern years and I'm basically trying to look for insight into how I can follow in their footsteps.

My question is, is this going to be frowned upon? I dbn't really want to bug them obviously but whom better to talk about what I want to do than someone who just did it a year ago? 😍

I get monthly e-mails about going into Vascular from people at the medical school I went to. Unless they are complete asses they should shoot you some thoughts. Just remember they are really freakin busy as interns..

 

[Law2Doc]

I'd like to contact a couple of people who graduated from my medical school and matched into programs I'm VERY VERY interested in. These are people in their intern years and I'm basically trying to look for insight into how I can follow in their footsteps.

My question is, is this going to be frowned upon? I dbn't really want to bug them obviously but whom better to talk about what I want to do than someone who just did it a year ago? 😍

As long as you have specific questions it's fine. If you are going to vaguely ask them for insight, or worse ask them to endorse you, I wouldn't bother.

 

[Cali2]

Definitely contact them! Your med school network is a valuable resource and they should be happy to talk with you.

 

[mlw03]

As long as you have specific questions it's fine. If you are going to vaguely ask them for insight, or worse ask them to endorse you, I wouldn't bother.

Agree with this, but realize it's probably not going to make any difference. First year residents have virtually no say in picking residents. If you're fantasizing that they'll get your email, run to the PD, and say, "wow - she's awesome... you should totally rank her to match" then you're going to be quite disappointed. And this is if they actually know you. If you didn't know each other in med school, then it's really not going to matter.

 

[deleted87716]

It never hurts to have good contacts in a program that you want to attend. Ultimately, the people they rank are the people they want to work with.

 

[Bartelby]

Agree with Law2Doc about the no endorsements thing. People from my med school have emailed me to ask about my program and I don't mind at all.

 

[Law2Doc]

Agree with this, but realize it's probably not going to make any difference. First year residents have virtually no say in picking residents. If you're fantasizing that they'll get your email, run to the PD, and say, "wow - she's awesome... you should totally rank her to match" then you're going to be quite disappointed. And this is if they actually know you. If you didn't know each other in med school, then it's really not going to matter.

Residents actually have more pull than you are giving credit in small, close knit programs, but it rubs most people the wrong way if a stranger calls up and says, "please put in a good word for me".