Hiring an advocate: Is this a thing?

[965978]

So a coworker of mine currently applying to medical school told me that she is hiring an “advocate”.

Basically this person claims to be ‘highly regarded’ amongst medical admissions directors and charges a fee to look over you application and personally calls the medical schools you’re waitlisted at to convince them to accept you.

Idk if this is a thing, or if she’s trolling me, or if she’s getting seriously scammed because my first reaction to this was simply:

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[theKingLT]

Yup this is a thing. Send me $$$ and I will call medical schools for you. Results not guaranteed, but I promise I'll try really really hard to get you in

 

[Goro]

Your co-working is getting SCAMMED.

 

[bananafish94]

Sounds like your coworker has more dollars than sense.

 

[Lifeblood_20]

Sounds like she's getting ripped off

 

[965978]

I figured haha. Thanks guys!

@LizzyM @gyngyn Have you heard of this at your schools?

 

[LizzyM]

I figured haha. Thanks guys!

@LizzyM @gyngyn Have you heard of this at your schools?

No, I've not heard of it.

 

[puahate]

is that what goniff does w/o the contact schools part.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Your co-working is getting SCAMMED.

Is this even legal?

 

[premedalt]

Is this even legal?

Legal? I don't see why not.

Ethical? Probably not

 

[chemdoctor]

is that what goniff does w/o the contact schools part.

Lol who knows with that guy... his picture is creepy tho...

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

There are certainly consultants, who for $$$, will guide college students towards the "right" activities to get into med school, develop appropriate school lists, help edit essays, help with interview practice, and give psychological support. (These are all things that applicants who use SDN can get for free, but those with very rich parents can get this advice without having to scroll through multiple posts, etc.!)

However, these med school application consultants would have no pull in the med school acceptance process. In fact, if our office got a call from one of these people, it is likely that it would only hurt the applicant.

In NYC, similar consultants can get paid as much as $100,000 to help pre-college students in a similar way, beginning in 7th grade, in their college application process. I know it is crazy, especially since these kids go to private schools with great college counselors. But people who make millions have no problem stroking a check for $100K to have someone tell their kid which activities they should do in junior high to get into the "right" college. A while back, there was a NY Times article that the ivy's were looking to recruit great squash players. There was not a squash court available for 10 years after that- people had their 4 year olds playing squash so they could get into the best colleges.

 

[gyngyn]

I figured haha. Thanks guys!

@LizzyM @gyngyn Have you heard of this at your schools?

I find this distasteful and I have not heard of it happening here. If I discovered a faculty member doing this, I would be quite disappointed and would advise them that their recommendations would have lost all meaning.
Of course, I have seen plenty of money spent (wasted) on consultants.
Just the other day, someone we declined to interview showed up at the office to debate the matter on the advice of an expensive YouTube "adviser."

 

[Goro]

I find this distasteful and I have not heard of it happening here. If I discovered a faculty member doing this, I would be quite disappointed and would advise them that their recommendations would have lost all meaning.
Of course, I have seen plenty of money spent (wasted) on consultants.
Just the other day, someone we declined to interview showed up at the office to debate the matter on the advice of an expensive YouTube "adviser."

Was Security called???

 

[gyngyn]

Was Security called???

Not necessary... this time.

 

[chemdoctor]

@gonnif

You bought a BOAT? Damn man! Never took you for a big sailor

 

[chemdoctor]

I own three : a canoe, a kayak, and this over sized inflatable swan tube I use in the pool. It was a joke

Actually this year, I will put any earnings towards upgraded air travel as I am flying frequently for 2 ill older siblings out west.

Sounds like money well spent to me. Upgraded air travel sounds great to me.

 

[DokterMom]

I find this distasteful and I have not heard of it happening here. If I discovered a faculty member doing this, I would be quite disappointed and would advise them that their recommendations would have lost all meaning.
Of course, I have seen plenty of money spent (wasted) on consultants.
Just the other day, someone we declined to interview showed up at the office to debate the matter on the advice of an expensive YouTube "adviser."

You do seem to attract the crazies...