Did you contact your AMCAS references before entering them?

[AlbertVOligh]

In the AMCAS activities, it requires a name and contact information for each activity you enter. Did you contact your references and ask their permission to use them as a reference and to give them a heads up that they were being listed/might be contacted? I know this is common courtesy when asking for references for real jobs, but does that same rule apply to AMCAS?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

In the AMCAS activities, it requires a name and contact information for each activity you enter. Did you contact your references and ask their permission to use them as a reference and to give them a heads up that they were being listed/might be contacted? I know this is common courtesy when asking for references for real jobs, but does that same rule apply to AMCAS?

I only called one of my contacts from a former volunteer job, and that was just to see if she still worked at the hospital. I don't think you need to tell all of your contacts, assuming you know that each of them can confirm your activity. All they will be doing is confirming what is on your app, not actually recommending you for anything.

 

[Oxygen206]

Nope. I thought about it, and then I thought about the chances of them actually contacting a reference and decided it wasn't worth the effort.

Also, most places are used to getting "verification" calls.

 

[eefen]

I actually did call/email my references and get their OK, if only to remind some of the people that I haven't been in contact with for a while who I am. I also think that it is nice just to let them know that they might get an email or a phone call...in the unlikely situation that a school does call them, I'd rather they are prepared than that they tell the adcom/whoever that they can't remember me....

There was only one person (a volunteer manager from years ago) that I couldn't seem to get a hold of, though they still seem to be working in the position that they were when I left. I sent an email and left a message on their answering machine...should be fine.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I didn't. Too much work.

 

[sector9]

No, I didn't either

 

[deleted346323]

Nope.

 

[snorlax]

I did. I think it's a bit neurotic. But it's nice to know you are on the same page as your contact in terms of volunteer hours, etc.

 

[DAPI]

I did and was glad I did as an advisor for one of my clubs is going to be on sabbatical next semester and I had no idea. I just had to list the substitute advisor instead, which was fine with me as I knew them too.

 

[deleted103644]

Verification calls are SOP. Contactijg beforehand is appreciated, but unnecessary.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

The chance they're going to get called is like...none. Don't worry about it if you didn't do it.