Do adcom people read these posts?

[SJonathan]

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Just got curious.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Just got curious.

Yes. Seriously, they do. Not all, but many.

 

[spicedmanna]

Yeah, some do, others could probably care less. Anyway, don't assume that adcom members are all administrators or professors, they could also be student members of the committee, or ambassadors.

 

[SJonathan]

I thought that they just might. And after reading some peoples posts on here....wow.

 

[spicedmanna]

I thought that they just might. And after reading some peoples posts on here....wow.

Yeah, I agree. That's one of the reasons I usually encourage professionalism, because you never know who is going to read your post. It's sort of strange, when people post on the Internet, they have the perception that it is somehow completely anonymous, but few things truly are. It isn't hard to piece together bits about people, because we all tend to leave hints unintentionally here and there. Anyway, post freely, within the bounds of the TOS, but know that anybody could be reading your post.

 

[gasapple]

HAHAHA - nice, way to instill a healthy dose of paranoia into already overly-neurotic pre-meds... too funny.

My opinion is that most people have better things to do than mess around with the general ignorance that is SDN.

 

[BCLumas]

I know a guy who is friends with a girl who works with some people in an admissions committee. No lie. And that guy is on SDN all the time.

 

[gasapple]

I know a girl - who happens to know a guy, who knows a transvestite, who made acquaintance with a medical school professor in Ohio whose chihuahua regularly monitors all that is SDN on a real-time basis. No lie.

Thanks for making my case BCLumas.

 

[andexterouss]

I know a guy who is friends with a girl who works with some people in an admissions committee. No lie. And that guy is on SDN all the time.

How does frequenting SDN aid them in making a choice on who to admit? Are they looking for hints on how to pick the right candidate?
The internet is suppose to be an avenue where people discuss issues that they may not have had the opportunity to in the real world. Due to the perceived anonymity, people take on different aliases and behavior modification. As a result, people are vastly different in real life than how they may appear to be online.
I'm sure the adcom can make that distinction and take everything being posted here with a grain of salt.
Anyways, if they are frequenting here that might explain why I haven't received my secondaries! Alright guys, back to work....party's over!😛

 

[Bacchus]

How does frequenting SDN aid them in making a choice on who to admit? Are they looking for hints on how to pick the right candidate?
The internet is suppose to be an avenue where people discuss issues that they may not have had the opportunity to in the real world. Due to the perceived anonymity, people take on different aliases and behavior modification. As a result, people are vastly different in real life than how they may appear to be online.
I'm sure the adcom can make that distinction and take everything being posted here with a grain of salt.
Anyways, if they are frequenting here that might explain why I haven't received my secondaries! Alright guys, back to work....party's over!😛

Several members of SDN have been called out by professional staff be it during interviews, lectures, tours, etc. These forums afford as much privacy as you give yourself. The most notable adcom member I know on this site is LizzyM who is chock full of advice. She (I think) posts frequently in pre-allo. When it comes down to it, be professional and you shouldn't have any worries.

 

[ShyRem]

Several schools will tell you they frequent SDN. My own adcom frequents SDN and has called people to task for their postings at times. Not in a "you're in trouble" kind of way, but in a "we're disappointed you're airing dirty laundry" kind of way.

Don't think they won't read SDN just because "they're too busy". They can generally figure out who you are by your postings and your application. You're not as anonymous as you think you might be.

 

[gasapple]

They can generally figure out who you are by your postings and your application. You're not as anonymous as you think you might be.

*sigh*

Sorry, ShyRem. I don't buy that for a second. Of course it's the mods that are going to act as if SDN is "all powerful and oh-so-influential". Please, SDN is anything but pivotal. Granted, SDN is good for information on rare occasion, but mostly it's ignorant pre-meds putting forth their ignorance as though it's testament.

As for anonymity, sure, if you post your own photo as your avatar (LMAO) and are reckless in your provision of information, there'll be a few who think they know who you are but it's likely they don't really have a clue. If anything, it's just a game for people who don't have anything better to do but pass the time - much like TT sitting in that ER at all hours, waiting to matriculate. The people that really matter couldn't care less about SDN and what's propagated here, that's a fact.

I do know who Spiced is without a doubt at this point - and definitely not because of my amazing abilities as a sleuth; it'll be good to say "hello" to someone "familiar" at KCUMB.

 

[scpod]

As for anonymity, sure, if you post your own photo as your avatar (LMAO) and are reckless in your provision of information, there'll be a few who think they know who you are but it's likely they don't really have a clue....

My second week of med school I was stopped in the hall by one of the women from the admissions office. She told me that she just loved what I wrote on SDN last night, and that she wished she could tell all pre-meds that same thing. It was news to me, because I didn't realize that anyone but pre-meds even read what I wrote. I certainly never tols her who I was.

One of my Anatomy professors told a group of us one to to watch what we say on SDN because an upperclassman had gotten an earfull from the administration that morning for something he wrote.

The only thing it takes for a committee to find out who you are is list what date your interview is in the "interviews" thread, then read a couple of your posts. No, most of them don't read a ton of posts every day, but they have a vested interest in finding out what people are saying about their school-- and many of them do search the net for those things.

 

[gasapple]

I like the SCPOD, too. Without a doubt. You guys provide some decent information from time to time, but you're the exceptions.

Again, interview date disclosure and so-forth falls under "provision of information" and overall ignorance. It's easy to ride on other interviewee's dates.

Hey, 2 actual mods, 1 emeritus mod, and one assistant! Unbelievable. I think Lee would truly be proud, as well as the advertisers, with the idea that SDN is as important as you all are attempting to perpetuate. 👍

Hey, it's OK. Like the user above said, no sane individual would formulate a sincere opinion of someone (if anonymity was compromised) without taking this internet persona thing with a grain of salt.

That's entertainment - err, or propaganda.

 

[gasapple]

Props to your manly beard, SCPOD. 👍

If I could grow suitable facial hair as an Asian, I would.

 

[NTF]

I think the general rule of thumb (and I wish younger kids saw it this way) is if you wouldn't behave or speak a certain way in public, than you shouldn't do it on the internet either. So there's a certain civility and yes, professionalism that you should bring to SDN and also not be too eager to air dirty laundry or start mouthing off. I view everyone on SDN as colleagues so I try to treat everyone accordingly.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Yes they do, and that's why I got in.

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[gasapple]

It's all misinformation and is mostly for the purpose of ego-stroking and of course, entertainment.

Damn, I'm coming across as a real cynic.

 

[gasapple]

I think the general rule of thumb (and I wish younger kids saw it this way) is if you wouldn't behave or speak a certain way in public, than you shouldn't do it on the internet either. So there's a certain civility and yes, professionalism that you should bring to SDN and also not be too eager to air dirty laundry or start mouthing off. I view everyone on SDN as colleagues so I try to treat everyone accordingly.

Hang around awhile. That's idealistic and naive.

 

[ShyRem]

Actually, gas, I wasn't one of those spoken to about what I wrote. I did get a "nice call-out to us" from the adcom office once. At least two in my class have been "noticed" by administration that I know of.

But hey, gasapple, you believe whatever you want. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, with or without the benefit of first hand information. 😉

 

[gasapple]

*sigh*

LMAO

 

[gasapple]

I did get a "nice call-out to us" from the adcom office once. At least two in my class have been "noticed" by administration that I know of.

I bet.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I think this idea pops up in so many paranoid threads and I must say that I am fairly certain there are a few steps you can take if you don't want to be traced to SDN. 1. Don't post your MD apps, 2. Don't post your exact interview dates, 3. Don't do stuff like making your avatar a blatant picture of your face, or link to your facebook or myspace. I'm sure people could rummage through 2,000 posts and eventually piece together some information one drops here and there, but honestly ... they won't. Plus if you really get called out on it and don't want to be connected, why not just say 'nope, not me.' These forums are supposed to be anonymous, and if you don't want to be tracked down it is your choice to politely keep your internet habits to yourself. I mean, it is NOT wise to be overtly rude or ever, EVER bag on a specific institution here, or things that are just uncalled for, but I think if you don't want to be identified, you don't have to.

 

[Raryn]

Anyone who knows me can pretty easily figure out who I am from my MDapps, much less various info I've posted. Of course, theres nothing that I've posted on SDN that I would be ashamed of.

 

[ellinopedo182]

the adcoms at this one school, wont say which, came up to me during my interview and asked me if i was ellinopedo182 from SDN... i told them yes and why, and they said 'no reason' and walked away.

 

[ellinopedo182]

ok i completely lied about my last post. 🙂

 

[SJonathan]

Oh, I don't mind at all if adcoms know who I am on here. I was just reading some posts by other people thinking "Wow, what if adcoms knew what they had just said..."

 

[slim78]

When I interviewed at my (future) school they had MSII students on the interview panel. I think if I end up doing interviews a couple of years from now I will probably check SDN to see if I recognize anyone.

 

[MaximusD]

Hang around awhile. That's idealistic and naive.

Gas I find it humorous that you somehow think you are somehow a sage on these boards full of wisdom... you haven't even attended med school yet.

 

[MaximusD]

Anyone who knows me can pretty easily figure out who I am from my MDapps, much less various info I've posted. Of course, theres nothing that I've posted on SDN that I would be ashamed of.

True for me as well except maybe in the lounge

In all seriousness, my life's an open book. I have nothing to hide so these sort of things don't particularly scare me. I try to be pretty straightforward about things.

 

[CandiDO]

At a school that I interviewed at, one of the girls was actually called by her SDN name by her interviewer.

 

[BeachBlondie]

I should hope that my adcom will have a better sense of humor than to not admit me for making snide comments to other pre-meds on a publically accessible forum. Some people NEED to have sarcasm slammed into their skulls.

If the adcoms are really that uptight (especially considering there are students holding positions in those ranks), then I probably don't want to go to that school anyway. Medicine contains far to many hardships and tragedies to deal with to not cut a joke from time to time.

 

[HarMegido]

yes they do stalk us on this site. as a matter of fact, u can just submit your rec letters, personal statements, and stats on SDN and they'll come here to recruit 😉

 

[gasapple]

Gas I find it humorous that you somehow think you are somehow a sage on these boards full of wisdom... you haven't even attended med school yet.

Yea, you love to pull that card on people you amazing MSII, 21-year-old! I forgot how awesome you are - thanks for the reminder. I got more experience than I care to admit as an old dude (as old as SCPOD and likely a bit more cynical) so I consider myself "experienced" with previous careers and I do know a little something about SDN forums; For one, you consistently come across as a pretentious runt.

 

[spicedmanna]

Yea, you love to pull that card on people you amazing MSII, 21-year-old! I forgot how awesome you are - thanks for the reminder. I got more experience than I care to admit as an old dude (as old as SCPOD and likely a bit more cynical) so I consider myself "experienced" with previous careers and I do know a little something about SDN forums; For one, you consistently come across as a pretentious runt.

You guys just reminded me that neither age nor experience is sufficient for one to be truly wise. It seems to me that you can have a lot of each, or both, and still be a fool. 😉

 

[cbrons]

Well I realize that the likelihood of the adcoms/whoever wants to find me will find me. If I used a little bad language here or some goofing off there, well its the internet. I live a stressful life... just lemme vent a little and laugh around with some of the crazy kids on these forums. I think it would be hilarious to have someone ask me if I was this or that from SDN, that'd make me laugh so hard in a "I gotcha" type of way.

 

[BeachBlondie]

Yea, you love to pull that card on people you amazing MSII, 21-year-old! I forgot how awesome you are - thanks for the reminder. I got more experience than I care to admit as an old dude (as old as SCPOD and likely a bit more cynical) so I consider myself "experienced" with previous careers and I do know a little something about SDN forums; For one, you consistently come across as a pretentious runt.

Although I don't condone fighting (unless it's to the death), I must say that it is times like these when I want to have your illegitimate children.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Although I don't condone fighting (unless it's to the death), I must say that it is times like these when I want to have your illegitimate children.

Back OFF ... GasApple is with me. ERRR I mean, ummm yeah ADCOMS??? They read this, we should all be careful

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I was outed by someone when I interviewed at Bradenton. I think it was scpod.

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Bacchus]

I was outed by someone when I interviewed at Bradenton. I think it was scpod.

Posted via Mobile Device

I think realistically this is what you must be more concerned about. Do adcoms read these boards? Yes. However, you have a greater chance of a regular user with no school affiliation "calling you out." As the post count goes up, so does the probability someone will recognize you, or so I feel.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I didn't really give a ****. I thought it was kind of funny.

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Bacchus]

I didn't really give a ****. I thought it was kind of funny.

Posted via Mobile Device

It was to the greater head-in-the-clouds premed population which you clearly don't fit into, TT 😉.

 

[scpod]

I was outed by someone when I interviewed at Bradenton. I think it was scpod.

Posted via Mobile Device

It was 😉.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I don't even think I would want to meet anyone from SDN in real life because I have a vision of what people look like in my head, and if they looked differently it would just disrupt my life too much. SDN wouldn't be the same ...

 

[MossPoh]

I don't hide who I am because I don't care. I don't think I've done anything that is considered shameful. I have given out a hefty amount of sarcasm. I am big on accountability in real life and I am big on it here. Whether they read it or not, one should still hold themselves accountable for their actions.

 

[gasapple]

Although I don't condone fighting (unless it's to the death), I must say that it is times like these when I want to have your illegitimate children.

Wow, we've much in common then. Now accepting applications.

Back OFF ... GasApple is with me. ERRR I mean, ummm yeah ADCOMS??? They read this, we should all be careful

You know it hot stuff.

I didn't really give a ****. I thought it was kind of funny.

Werd. That's all that matters.

I don't even think I would want to meet anyone from SDN in real life because I have a vision of what people look like in my head, and if they looked differently it would just disrupt my life too much. SDN wouldn't be the same ...

Yea, I'm currently fashioning a shank out of an old toothbruch (you got it) for the yard at KCUMB.

Mara Salvatrucha - b**ches!

 

[BeachBlondie]

So, I was looking for inmate tattoos in order to add something to Gasapple's pictures (outdoing the Jones', you know?), and I found this one. It was done by an inmate at an insane asylum. But, for what it's worth, I thought it was actually kind of awesome.