Emailing Admissions

[Dr-D]

Hello! A few days ago, I emailed a top-choice school to ask if I was a high, medium, or low priority to receive an interview. Within three hours, I received an II. I was on the interview waitlist for five months. They said I happened to be next on the list, but I wonder if this email had some sort of impact? I am typically not inclined to bother adcoms, however, would it be worthwhile to send a status inquiry email to a few schools I have not heard from? I figure that, if I am on the brink of rejection, could it hurt to send this type of email?

I would send a letter but I do not have anything significant to update. I believe many LOIs are sappy and a waste of time if I have not interviewed.

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[Master Thinker]

I guess it really depends on who reads your email. Some might see it as a sign of interest, others might find these emails annoying. But if you are stuck in silence after being complete since July or something, I guess it can't hurt to prod a bit.

 

[chaim123]

Hello! A few days ago, I emailed a top-choice school to ask if I was a high, medium, or low priority to receive an interview. Within three hours, I received an II. I was on the interview waitlist for five months. They said I happened to be next on the list, but I wonder if this email had some sort of impact? I am typically not inclined to bother adcoms, however, would it be worthwhile to send a status inquiry email to a few schools I have not heard from? I figure that, if I am on the brink of rejection, could it hurt to send this type of email?

I would send a letter but I do not have anything significant to update. I believe many LOIs are sappy and a waste of time if I have not interviewed.

Generally, I think these emails are see by admissions staff who do not have any control over committee actions. I sent a few of these my year, and was rejected from most, but got an II or two. It can't hurt, but it most likely won't help.

 

[CES5]

So far I have emailed 5 schools to ask to schedule an interview and provide updates, within a month all 5 had scheduled me for an interview. I think it really works and not enough students reach out to the dean directly! 5/5 batting average is pretty good in my book.

 

[Goro]

Hello! A few days ago, I emailed a top-choice school to ask if I was a high, medium, or low priority to receive an interview. Within three hours, I received an II. I was on the interview waitlist for five months. They said I happened to be next on the list, but I wonder if this email had some sort of impact? I am typically not inclined to bother adcoms, however, would it be worthwhile to send a status inquiry email to a few schools I have not heard from? I figure that, if I am on the brink of rejection, could it hurt to send this type of email?

I would send a letter but I do not have anything significant to update. I believe many LOIs are sappy and a waste of time if I have not interviewed.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc - Wikipedia

 

[MDhopeful74]

Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc - Wikipedia

Is it okay to call admissions to inquire about the status of your application (i.e if its been reviewed or not) pre-II?

 

[wesleysnipes]

Hello! A few days ago, I emailed a top-choice school to ask if I was a high, medium, or low priority to receive an interview. Within three hours, I received an II. I was on the interview waitlist for five months. They said I happened to be next on the list, but I wonder if this email had some sort of impact? I am typically not inclined to bother adcoms, however, would it be worthwhile to send a status inquiry email to a few schools I have not heard from? I figure that, if I am on the brink of rejection, could it hurt to send this type of email?

I would send a letter but I do not have anything significant to update. I believe many LOIs are sappy and a waste of time if I have not interviewed.

WVU?

It depends on the school honestly. Most schools are not receptive but WVU might be. I know Ohio State lets applicants know when they are going to be screened.

 

[Goro]

Is it okay to call admissions to inquire about the status of your application (i.e if its been reviewed or not) pre-II?

What do you hope to find out?
Either you'll be told "no we haven't gotten around to it", or "yes, we've reviewed it and we have yet to reach a decision"

 

[MDhopeful74]

What do you hope to find out?
Either you'll be told "no we haven't gotten around to it", or "yes, we've reviewed it and we have yet to reach a decision"

I'd be fine finding out either of those honestly.

 

[Goro]

I'd be fine finding out either of those honestly.

I think that your time will be better sent improving your app, and simply hoping for the best during this cycle

 

[MDhopeful74]

I think that your time will be better sent improving your app, and simply hoping for the best during this cycle

I understand where your coming from but such an inquiry would take less than 10 minutes.

 

[JustaDO]

I understand where your coming from but such an inquiry would take less than 10 minutes.

And yet, you have spent more then 10 minutes ruminating on this. Why ask for advice if your mind is set already?

 

[Med Ed]

Hello! A few days ago, I emailed a top-choice school to ask if I was a high, medium, or low priority to receive an interview. Within three hours, I received an II. I was on the interview waitlist for five months. They said I happened to be next on the list, but I wonder if this email had some sort of impact?

Very unlikely, although after five months of waiting I know what it looks like.

 

[Dr-D]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. The emails didn't seem to hurt or help much, it was sort of a "thanks for your continued interest" email. However, a few schools said they appreciated the extra interest and they have added my name to a pool for a last minute interview. In summary, it probably doesn't hurt but doesn't help much.

I got my first acceptance yesterday at a school I love, so all is good! 🙂

 

[MDhopeful74]

And yet, you have spent more then 10 minutes ruminating on this. Why ask for advice if your mind is set already?

??? Because I don't work in admissions, nor am I an adcom. For all I know asking this could kill my app entirely at that school. I was pretty much just curious on how its received by the school, same as OP

 

[Med Ed]

??? Because I don't work in admissions, nor am I an adcom. For all I know asking this could kill my app entirely at that school. I was pretty much just curious on how its received by the school, same as OP

At this point in the cycle we get a steady stream of emails and calls from applicants looking for updates. It won't kill your app, but it probably won't provide the catharsis you seek.

From the school's standpoint this communication is an annoyance, but also an inevitable and understandable consequence of the process.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

??? Because I don't work in admissions, nor am I an adcom. For all I know asking this could kill my app entirely at that school. I was pretty much just curious on how its received by the school, same as OP

Except when a real adcom told you not to waste your time you argued with him. So clearly you are looking for confirmation.

To me, if you’re perfectly okay with either option, then what’s the point of calling? If it’s either one or the other and you don’t care which, then why waste your time? You’ll find out soon enough.

 

[Wantnosmoke24]

I emailed my top choice after interview and got in the next day. Coincidence? Doubt it.

 

[Med Ed]

I emailed my top choice after interview and got in the next day. Coincidence? Doubt it.

True. Most acceptances are given out pre-interview and post-rejection. The period after the interview but before any notification is a dead zone.

But seriously, let's unpack this a bit. Your proposition is that you emailed someone in admissions, who then immediately transported you correspondence to an admissions committee meeting (possibly convened ad hoc), where it was found to be so compelling that your application was voted on outside the normal review process. The admissions dean was so giddy that he/she made sure you were notified within 24 hours.

In case you're wondering, that's not how it works. The decision on your application was likely rendered before you send your email, which probably arrived while the admissions staff was tidying up the offer letters generated by the most recent adcom meeting. It was a coincidence.

 

[Wantnosmoke24]

True. Most acceptances are given out pre-interview and post-rejection. The period after the interview but before any notification is a dead zone.

But seriously, let's unpack this a bit. Your proposition is that you emailed someone in admissions, who then immediately transported you correspondence to an admissions committee meeting (possibly convened ad hoc), where it was found to be so compelling that your application was voted on outside the normal review process. The admissions dean was so giddy that he/she made sure you were notified within 24 hours.

In case you're wondering, that's not how it works. The decision on your application was likely rendered before you send your email, which probably arrived while the admissions staff was tidying up the offer letters generated by the most recent adcom meeting. It was a coincidence.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[JustaDO]

Coincidence? Doubt it.

Solid reasoning? Doubt it.

 

[Med Ed]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations on your acceptance.

 

[Wantnosmoke24]

Solid reasoning? Doubt it.

Unnecessary.

 

[MDhopeful74]

Except when a real adcom told you not to waste your time you argued with him. So clearly you are looking for confirmation.

To me, if you’re perfectly okay with either option, then what’s the point of calling? If it’s either one or the other and you don’t care which, then why waste your time? You’ll find out soon enough.

I'm not really sure where I argued with Goro. I very clearly said I see where he's coming from. I kept the convo going because it seemed like in Goro's post responding to me it was a waste of time, not something that was detrimental to my app. I wanted confirmation yes, confirmation that this wouldn't immediately cause the school to reject me. I fail to see what's wrong with asking for confirmation on that

 

[MDhopeful74]

At this point in the cycle we get a steady stream of emails and calls from applicants looking for updates. It won't kill your app, but it probably won't provide the catharsis you seek.

From the school's standpoint this communication is an annoyance, but also an inevitable and understandable consequence of the process.

Thank you.