have "connections" worked for you??

[MRa2z]

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I've posted a similar thread to this in the past, but i couldnt find it using the search thing..anyways, i'm curious - do any of you SDN'rs have any tricks up your sleeve? a DO who knows the dean at your school of choice? a friend in the admissions department? or have you used a physician you shadowed to call a school you really liked? and if so, are these tactics helpful??

 

[DPS319]

I wouldn't necessarily call them tricks, but having friends and family in medicine has most definitely been an advantage. If you can put yourself in a position to learn more and become better acclimated to the practice of medicine through networking, go for it!

 

[MRa2z]

i always thought it was kind of unfair to use family/friends to push me forward into med school. A D.O. and friend of my dad's is very good friends with the dean at CCOM. he'd offered to give her a call on my behalf, but i politely declined. i didn't think it was right to get an interview/acceptance on anything other than my merit..but now that the time is ticking and i havent heard back..i'm sort of tempted to give him a call. i duno. 😕

 

[Vix206]

i always thought it was kind of unfair to use family/friends to push me forward into med school. A D.O. and friend of my dad's is very good friends with the dean at CCOM. he'd offered to give her a call on my behalf, but i politely declined. i didn't think it was right to get an interview/acceptance on anything other than my merit..but now that the time is ticking and i havent heard back..i'm sort of tempted to give him a call. i duno. 😕

i somewhat agree with you. but because of the volume of applicants, sometimes your merit is not good enough - you could get passed up when someone just like you was accepted. so using a connection, if available, is not completely unjustified. good luck

 

[MJB]

Not even a little bit. One doc made a phone call for me...and it earned me hold status at a DO school.

I don't believe in it, but that's just me being too naive again, as I know it's how the world works. However, I vow to never play that game if I can keep from it. I want to know I got where I'm at because I EARNED it, and wouldn't want to rob anyone else of that opportunity.

 

[Depakote]

A connection is only good enough to get your name looked at out of a pile of thousands of applicants. It won't affect the ultimate decision, but it might get you out from the bottom of a pile.

I had a few at MD schools. They didn't make a difference.

 

[iwilldlvr]

I had class with a guy that worked at the most competitive med school in TX (no need to say the name). He worked for the dean of the school as a low level employee- nothing relating to science or med. He scored upper 20s on the MCAT and was assured by the dean that he would get accepted. His gpa was not competitive for allopathic schools. So, yeah, the dean got him in, not his stats. Sometimes it works.

You may as well use it if you have it. If you get accepted, it's because you are a quality applicant. Use whatever you can to get in the door.

 

[koennen]

Agree with Conniehaley. I know of a similar story. It really depends on the strength of your connection. If it is someone high up in the med school who really wants to see you get in, it'll happen.

 

[MRa2z]

yeah. i think i'm going to go ahead with using my "connection". As he's good friends with the dean, it'll hopefully help me out a little. Though it's probably not the "fairest" thing, med school is a competitive pool, and i should do whatever i can to make it. if i get rejected later, it will be easier knowing i did everything in my power to make the cut..but then again, maybe i'll feel even dumber, knowing i had a connection and stilll didnt make it!! 😳

 

[grinchick5]

If you've got a connection, use it. Sure, in an ideal world, we’d all earn spots in medical school based solely on our merits. As much we all might hate it, when everyone else is using their connections (& you know they are), it almost puts you at a disadvantage not to use yours.

In my experience, connections might help you get the interview, but they won’t get you in. I was waitlisted at a DO school where I had numerous connections b/c I totally bombed my interview (seriously, it was painful). My poor performance not only made me look stupid, but reflected poorly upon those who recommended me. If you do get an interview as a result connection, make the most of it!!

Good luck! Maybe I’ll see you at CCOM this fall.

 

[Nickelpennykid]

It would be insane to not use a connection, even if it is a small one. It's true that it probably can't get you an acceptance, but it can help to get an interview, or to get you out of the bottom of the pile, like other people have said.

In no other career path would anyone ever refuse to use a connection because they think it would be unfair to others. It is not cheating, and creating connections, whether they are family or not, demonstrates that you have some people skills, a skill set which is sometimes lost in the pre-med world.

 

[Protease]

My freind's dad is a professor in neuroscience (not sure) and he couldn't get his son into the same medical school he works at, so connections are good to have, but by no means a gurantee help. Even if your best of best buddies with a member on an admissions committee, you may still get rejected. Altough I find if you give each ADCOM member an envelop stacked with paper with dead presidents on it, your chances improve.

If you have connections, I don't think its unfair to use it. Although its noble of you to decline and shows you have integrity, there is nothing wrong with accepting help when offered. You still have to work hard in medical school and in the field you enter. However, if your one of these silver spoon fed people who gets everything and doesn't make an effort, then its a different story.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

i need a connection badly ... wont happen though.

 

[DoctorMom78]

OK, my story: My father is a neurologist locally. He had a lot of connections at our local MD school. I did follow up with some of the people that he knew. My file was marked as "faculty special interest" and sat on the Director of Admissions desk for a month as she contemplated what to do. The school uses computer screening and if it were not for my "connections", my application would not have even been considered. But, as time went on and I earned my acceptances at some DO schools, I did some soul-searching and really thought about how I would feel about getting into a school simply because of who I knew. Ultimately, I ended up sending an email to the Director of Admissions who personally called me and discussed the situation. We both agreed that it was not the right place for me. I am going to DCOM because not only do I love the school, but they saw something in me that indicated to them that I have the potential to become a wonderful doctor someday. I think I would have always been uncomfortable knowing that the only reason I had gotten into the school I attended was because of the people I knew. However, I had other acceptances to fall back on. I don't know if I would have written that email if I didn't.

I did feel guilty about the whole situation I was in, and now even though it means I am moving away from my family, I am glad that I did what I did. It just didn't feel right to me and I really don't think the school was the right fit. I believe that things happen for a reason and I really believe that I was meant to be at DCOM.

BUT....I guess med school is better than no med school. It is not like you are cheating. The reality is that a lot of people probably do this sort of thing. If you want to go ahead and make that phone call, then do it. Your connection may get you an interview that you might not have gotten otherwise, but I don't think you will be accepted unless they really think that you can do the work. Just keep that in mind. No school will accept you if they don't believe you will be able to be successful in their program. The decision is ultimately yours. I don't think that there is any right or wrong answer to this question. It really depends on how you feel about it and if you can be satisfied with the outcome. I hope this helped somewhat. Good luck with everything!

 

[Nickelpennykid]

My freind's dad is a professor in neuroscience (not sure) and he couldn't get his son into the same medical school he works at, so connections are good to have, but by no means a gurantee help. Even if your best of best buddies with a member on an admissions committee, you may still get rejected. Altough I find if you give each ADCOM member an envelop stacked with paper with dead presidents on it, your chances improve.

If you have connections, I don't think its unfair to use it. Although its noble of you to decline and shows you have integrity, there is nothing wrong with accepting help when offered. You still have to work hard in medical school and in the field you enter. However, if your one of these silver spoon fed people who gets everything and doesn't make an effort, then its a different story.

Not using them does not show that you are noble or have intregity, it shows that you are not in touch with reality. For what other job/admissions process would you decline to use a connection, even if it prob won't do anything? We are not applying for Pope, just medical school.

 

[Entgegen]

I think connections definitely help. My father is a physician (D.O.), and so I lucked out and have several D.O.'s that are friends of the family. The ones I knew (4 total, and all TCOM alumni) all wrote me great letters, and one of the guys I shadowed (he was even the valedictorian of his TCOM class) even went so far as to call the admissions office on top of the letter he wrote. Needless to say, I was accepted to TCOM. But that's not to say I got in just because of that...I had a great GPA and an above average MCAT for TCOM, shadowing, and clinical experience, etc., but my connections definitely didn't hurt.

 

[Kuba]

i have no connections, but if you got them then definitely use them. it is not a fair world, don't be a hero.

 

[musiclink213]

I say if you got connections, use them. Most other people who have them probably will. And as it is a committee decision, one persons vote may or may not make a big difference. If you get an LOR or osmething high up, it still won't guarantee you anything, but if it comes down to you and somebody else, and you have a connection, it may help push you over the edge. If you're already not a competetive applicant, there's no helpign you.

 

[jafri91]

Any med school you visit will tell you that you should build connections during your rotations so that when it comes time for landing a residency you will have some help.

I personally think its ok, although I am a little annoyed that someone I know who scored 6 points lower on the MCAT got into one of my top choices b/c of her connections and I got waitlisted 🙁 ... but its all part of the game.

If I could use a connection to score a ccom interview I def would, BUT don't let this make you think that you will have an acceptance there, if anything you would have to work even harder during the interview to convince the admissions committee that you are ccom material

 

[MRa2z]

does anyone know how the adcom at CCOM works?
who decides the interviewees, and then the ones being accepted?
what role does the dean even play in this??

 

[Kuba]

does anyone know how the adcom at CCOM works?
who decides the interviewees, and then the ones being accepted?
what role does the dean even play in this??

did you sleep with the dean?!

 

[lysosome]

The DO I shadowed for asked me if he needed me to call his alma mater (and one of my top choices), since he's good friends the dean of admission or someone along that level. I was excited of the "connection" opportunity, but after I got several acceptances into other schools...I decided to let it ride out to see if I could get in myself.

I figure if it was to be my school, then I would feel the fit at the interview and shine to get accepted.

Honestly though, it was mainly because I had some schools to fall back on. Otherwise, I'd probably have him make that call. I've come to realize that this world runs on connections, if you don't use it...someone else will. It's just nice to know that at least you have the option.

I remember people at my school use to say that they would chop their pinky off to get into their top choice medical school. That...I would not do....but it's extreme what others will do for an acceptance.

 

[MJB]

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with others using connections if they have them. Unfortunately, that's the way the world seems to work, as I stated. I also plan to build relationships as well as I can while in school and on rotations, because that's how you get good recommendations and hear about opportunities.

I've used connections in other ways, like getting sweet tickets to sporting events. 🙂

 

[MRa2z]

did you sleep with the dean?!

If only i had the chance

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

DoctorMom, I really do love😍 you and everything, but next time you have a connection...like...for getting a derm residency...or cardiology...or just a place you want to live....for the love of all that is holy use, it for me.



This is also a public service notice to those good noncutt-throat people in the world. Thank you and have a nice day.

 

[southpawcannon]

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with others using connections if they have them. Unfortunately, that's the way the world seems to work, as I stated. I also plan to build relationships as well as I can while in school and on rotations, because that's how you get good recommendations and hear about opportunities.

I've used connections in other ways, like getting sweet tickets to sporting events. 🙂

As I was once told, it's who you know that gets your there and it's what you know that keeps you there. It's these people who know people that if you are genuine with all that you are doing and taking a sincere interest, what the hell would it matter if they spoke on your behalf? Especially if you busted your balls to get there.

 

[medic11306]

Having read all of the posts, and recently being accepted, I have to concur. Use all of the advantages you can. I know that my application was average to strong, but I also knew people that were very helpful. I know that I was accepted because of the experience I have, my numbers, and all of the other things that adcoms look at; but if you have'em use them. 🙂

Also being diligent helps tremendously. Write letters of intent, even if you have not gotten an interview, make phone calls to see if there is anything else you need to do, and if you live close by schedule a time to tour the campus and meet with faculty and students. There are many factors that all play together when applying to medical school and you should use all of the available resources you have.

That's my two cents, take it for what it's worth.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Networking is a huge part in any field. I am hoping that my networking that I've done (on my own might I add) will help get me into med school and beyond. Honestly that is why SDN is such a cool place. I have taken advantage of many networking opportunities on the internet and would suggest many of you do the same. Go to conferences, lurk on message boards, etc. You never know who will be at these conferences or on those message boards.

Everyone uses networking in some sense, as long as you aren't black mailing the person, there really isn't any harm. Unless you want to do things (mostly) based on your own merit which I have to say I applaud. But honestly, if you really want to do something you'll find a way to get it. If its all about connections, its all about connections. Your merit HAS to help you get in somewhat.

Connections and networking are huge in many other industries, if not even more for med school/residency. Especially if you are operating out of your realm ... meaning maybe a new area or speciality, etc.

 

[DoctorMom78]

DoctorMom, I really do love😍 you and everything, but next time you have a connection...like...for getting a derm residency...or cardiology...or just a place you want to live....for the love of all that is holy use, it for me.



This is also a public service notice to those good noncutt-throat people in the world. Thank you and have a nice day.

LMAO!!! OK, I will see what I can do for you in a few years. Just let me know.😉

If I had no other option, I don't know if I would have been so noble. Although, doing what I did meant packing up and leaving my parents, husband's parents, and countless other relatives. It was not an easy choice either way.

I don't think there is anything really wrong with using a connection. As everyone has said, a lot of people do that. It just didn't sit right with me though. I would have always felt funny about it. But, that is the way I am. Perfect example: My husband went to buy two air conditioners at Home Depot. When he got home, we realized that that he had only been charged for one. So, I called the store up and went back and paid for it. My husband almost killed me.😱 LOL! I can't help myself. I start obsessing over things. I was afraid that someone would lose their job over it or something. We had budgeted the money for the two air conditioners, and so I was happy to pay for it. I really do believe in Karma though. Honestly, a week after that happened, I received a scholarship from my school that covered the rest of my daycare for the semester. I just truly believe that everything happens for a reason and that everything works out in the end.🙂

MRa2z: Go ahead and make that phone call. They won't accept you if they don't believe in you anyway. Good luck!