Feeling Skeptic... Faculty member got me an interview?

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Dante311

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Hi all -

I'm the low uGPA, High MCAT, Good EC's, Strong LORs type candidate...

I made a comment to one of the medical doctors I work with about getting my secondaries in. I was asked where I applied (this doctor also wrote me a strong LOR). As soon as I mentioned the school we work at, they went straight to the dean of admissions in my support.

Now, he/she doesn't know I know this (but I believe they have their suspicion), but through the grapevine I found out what my LOR from this doctor read and what was said to 2 of the deans.

Now I made mention of this to my cousin (who is an MD) and a research fellow I work with and instantly they both said I am going to be accepted at that university regardless of my grades, MCAT, etc. It comes down to the gold path that was paved before me by the doctor plus my research/publications, EC's, and that I don't blow the interview.

Now, does this have any merit? The fact this doctor is faculty and teaches in the medical school, has sat on the admissions committee, and told them to ignore my grades - that I am a smart candidate, down to earth, and will not be a good physician, but a great physician and succeed in medical school.

This all happened yesterday, and I didn't ask for it, but I am still in shock... it hasn't sunk in yet. And no, I haven't gotten the interview yet, it's all he said she said right now.
 
I don't think anything is guaranteed, but things are overwhelmingly in your favor.

I've seen this sort of process play out before. You just need to know the right people and all of a sudden the competition narrows down. Congrats, I guess?
 
From what I understand, his support (if valued from the adcom) may give you a bump for an interview. Depending on the overall strength of your application, the bump may be huge and this may just be a courtesy interview, and you'll be rejected later if you don't blow them away, or it could have just been a small bump, or none at at all and they would have interviewed you anyway. It won't hurt, but it's not a golden ticket and I don't think it usually leads straight to accept, but rather it gives you a chance at an interview that you may otherwise not have received.
 
Perhaps if I bake cookies and bring it to my interview... /kidding

Thanks for the follow up. I don't feel confident due to my <3.0 GPA.
 
Does it happen exactly as you described? Yes. Every once in a while someone picks up the phone and says, "If you are going to take one person this cycle, this is the one you want." I recently read a LOR for someone that literally said, "I've been doing medical school admissions for 40 years and this is the best future physician I've worked with." There are some people with enough clout that if they say the right words, nothing else matters. I also remember in high school someone didn't get into any colleges, and after a single phone call from their father, was matriculating at Princeton. Connections matter.

How often does it happen? Very very infrequently. Maybe a handful of cases each cycle. This is a risky endeavor for the letter writer. They are staking their reputation on you. To do this, they have to vouch for you and will take the reputation hit if you **** it up.

----------------------------------------------------

Long story short. It is impossible to know your exact situation. But, until you have an acceptance in hand, nothing is guaranteed. Yes, if true, this will certainly help, but given how much impact it will have is unknowable, feel good about it, but go about your business as if it didn't.
 
mimelim said:
Does it happen exactly as you described? Yes. Every once in a while someone picks up the phone and says, "If you are going to take one person this cycle, this is the one you want." I recently read a LOR for someone that literally said, "I've been doing medical school admissions for 40 years and this is the best future physician I've worked with." There are some people with enough clout that if they say the right words, nothing else matters. I also remember in high school someone didn't get into any colleges, and after a single phone call from their father, was matriculating at Princeton. Connections matter.

How often does it happen? Very very infrequently. Maybe a handful of cases each cycle. This is a risky endeavor for the letter writer. They are staking their reputation on you. To do this, they have to vouch for you and will take the reputation hit if you **** it up.

----------------------------------------------------

Long story short. It is impossible to know your exact situation. But, until you have an acceptance in hand, nothing is guaranteed. Yes, if true, this will certainly help, but given how much impact it will have is unknowable, feel good about it, but go about your business as if it didn't.
Click to expand...

I was told that last part too. Do not count my monkeys before they hatch. Given the circumstances, instead of being a research coordinator at two separate hospitals, plus my clinical work under the doctor who gave me this amazing recommendation... I could devote 100% of my time to being a successful medical student. I am a non-traditional candidate, older, more mature and I KNOW what I want. I want this. More than anything.

Thank you for your follow up, it is appreciated.
 
mimelim said:
I recently read a LOR for someone that literally said, "I've been doing medical school admissions for 40 years and this is the best future physician I've worked with." There are some people with enough clout that if they say the right words, nothing else matters.
Click to expand...

I read a letter last year that said something to the effect of "If you are considering the mistake of not ranking this person at the very top of your list, I want you to call me immediately" and then gave his personal cell phone number. I lol'ed.
 
southernIM said:
I read a letter last year that said something to the effect of "If you are considering the mistake of not ranking this person at the very top of your list, I want you to call me immediately" and then gave his personal cell phone number. I lol'ed.
Click to expand...

The real question is... Did you call them?
 
mimelim said:
The real question is... Did you call them?
Click to expand...


I would've...

The difference is, in my situation, the doctor that provided this in person recommendation teaches at the medical school and sat on AdComm there. He/She has a professional relationship that's solid with 1/2 deans (I learned)... The other, they know eachother well.

I will continue to work hard, regardless...

Thanks 🙂
 
I beg to differ. This type of activity nets one an interview, but the Adcom and the Dean will make the final decision. And at that point, the PI's influence ends.

If you really want to get into medical school, fix your low GPA.

Now I made mention of this to my cousin (who is an MD) and a research fellow I work with and instantly they both said I am going to be accepted at that university regardless of my grades, MCAT, etc. It comes down to the gold path that was paved before me by the doctor plus my research/publications, EC's, and that I don't blow the interview.

Now, does this have any merit? The fact this doctor is faculty and teaches in the medical school, has sat on the admissions committee, and told them to ignore my grades - that I am a smart candidate, down to earth, and will not be a good physician, but a great physician and succeed in medical school.
 
let us know if you get an interview and future acceptance. sounds to me like it's yours for the taking, or yours to lose. prep for that interview! good luck
 
It sounds like you may have been granted a courtesy interview. It is entirely possible to turn that interview into an acceptance, of course, but I wouldn't bank on it. Apply broadly. With a sub-3.0 GPA, you have an uphill battle ahead of you.

Hope that helps, and good luck with your interview!
 
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It's a good thing that's highly likely to net you an interview if your GPA is within the bottom 10% line, or potentially a 'courtesy interview' and a skeptical 'Hmmm...' if it's below.

It'll get you a foot in the door, but unless your PI has Clout (with a capital C), his recommendation is just that - a really good recommendation from someone credible (we hope.) You've earned that recommendation, as opposed to having Daddy buy it for you, so accept it with gratitude, hopefulness and humility.

Good Luck!
 
Wait wait wait wait.....you submitted a med school application with a sub-3.0 GPA? :cyclops:
 
Aerus said:
Wait wait wait wait.....you submitted a med school application with a sub-3.0 GPA? :cyclops:
Click to expand...

Yeah. I graduated in 2009. Masters of Science > 3.5 GPA. Published. Significant research and clinical experience (i.e. strong EC's)
 
Dante311 said:
Yeah. I graduated in 2009. Masters of Science > 3.5 GPA. Published. Significant research and clinical experience (i.e. strong EC's)
Click to expand...

Ah okay. Given that, I really think you should embrace your connection and rock the interview should you get it. Not only do you owe it to yourself to make the most of a grim situation (sub-3.0 uGPA, but having accomplished so much since undergrad), but you also owe it to this doctor whose reputation is on the line because of his high recommendation of you.
 
Aerus said:
Ah okay. Given that, I really think you should embrace your connection and rock the interview should you get it. Not only do you owe it to yourself to make the most of a grim situation (having accomplished so much since undergrad), but you also owe it to this doctor whose reputation is on the line because of his high recommendation of you.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call this MD my PI. I am clinical with him/her. And this individual believes strongly I will live up to that. Thank you all 🙂

I am feeling confident I will get this "connection" interview (once I submit my secondary tonight)... and not take it for granted.
 
Dante311 said:
I wouldn't call this MD my PI. I am clinical with him/her. And this individual believes strongly I will live up to that. Thank you all 🙂

I am feeling confident I will get this "connection" interview (once I submit my secondary tonight)... and not take it for granted.
Click to expand...

Make him/her proud! Best of luck!

Please also tell us how it goes as you get updated.
 
You just need to know the right people and all of a sudden the competition narrows down.
9ce12.jpg
 
Dante311 said:
I wouldn't call this MD my PI. I am clinical with him/her. And this individual believes strongly I will live up to that. Thank you all 🙂

I am feeling confident I will get this "connection" interview (once I submit my secondary tonight)... and not take it for granted.
Click to expand...

Bolded part sounds dirty.

Is english not your first language btw? You said count 'monkeys' before they hatch and the idiom is chickens and your thread title is skeptic not skeptical. Just curious.
 
I have a very hard time believing that people have time to be giving out "courtesy interviews".
 
I think that using your connections to get ahead of the competition when you're clearly not qualified from a GPA standpoint compared to others who have worked their whole lives without said connections is completely dishonest. You should probably withdraw.

jk trolling
 
dbeast said:
I think that using your connections to get ahead of the competition when you're clearly not qualified from a GPA standpoint compared to others who have worked their whole lives without said connections is completely dishonest. You should probably withdraw.

jk trolling
Click to expand...
Of course. I didn't go back to school and take non-degree seeking coures, receiving A's, and compliment it with a >30 MCAT. Oh wait, I did. And the last 5 years of grueling research and clinical work for little pay. And to add to that, the countless hours of writing for grants, journals, etc. on my own time. I don't have a poor uGPA because I partied through college. My reasons are my own. I've earned this just as much as anyone. Faculty don't just say, "Hey, this kid would be great! Pick him! Pick him!", you need to earn that respect from someone who has been an attending for 25+ years to go ahead and say what was spoken on my behalf. Nor did my daddy open his wallet and say, "Pick him and here's a lot of money to support your new MRI machine!" I worked for it. Thanks. Good luck to you in the upcoming cycle.
 
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