How big is this mistake: calling admissions people by first name

[g8terboi]

I am so use to the environment at my LAC, where everyone addressed each other by their first names (including professors) that when I called up an assistant dean at admissions today, I accidentally said his first name. My question is, how big of a mistake is this? Will it even reflect negatively on me at all, or will it seriously affect my chances of getting an interview.

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[Tourterm]

Just make sure you aren't as informal in future communications. What's done, is done. It's not like they are going to shred your application on the spot. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think it will matter.

 

[Quix]

Personally, I dislike it when students presume familiarity. I have a professional relationship with them, so titles are appropriate. I am "Dr." or "Prof." to my students, not "Mr." or my first name.

 

[Tropicana100]

Admissions staff usually prefer first name, but if it's the dean/director of admissions, go with "Doctor."

 

[DoctorPhud]

I am so use to the environment at my LAC, where everyone addressed each other by their first names (including professors) that when I called up an assistant dean at admissions today, I accidentally said his first name. My question is, how big of a mistake is this? Will it even reflect negatively on me at all, or will it seriously affect my chances of getting an interview.

Don't worry about it at all.

That sort of thing happens all the time, and it may do you credit, as it paints you as a more mature student, rather than an undergrad who has to go around compulsively calling everyone 'Professor'.

Using 'Sir' is appropriate with more senior members of staff at academic institutions, but beware of mis-labelling people. Not everyone is a Doctor or Professor. Some 'Mister's teach with respect to their experience, while some Professors get annoyed at being called 'Doctor', and some Doctors do not wish to be called 'Professor'.

The medical environment is a minefield for these things, but you don't need to worry about that yet. You'll be just fine.

 

[Koch]

The real trouble is a lot of admissions directors out there aren't doctors, so I always feel kinda awkward when addressing them for the first time. Is it Dr. or Mr.? Do I go Dr. to be safe or just kinda mumble and then say the last name clearly. And the website is no help because a lot of times it has first and last name and then no degree. Did they not include the degree or was there no degree to include. So first name is really the safest way to go in my opinion.

 

[deuce924]

I guess it is a southern thing but I call everyone Mr. or Mrs. or when appropriate Dr... People call me crazy because I say yes mam to the cashier at the grocery.

 

[Tensyle]

I actually got an email from a certain admissions representative, and her signature had "admissions councelor" written under it....did not say any credentials...and I dint know if she was married or not..so i just used her first name...

 

[Quix]

It's still a professional relationship which requires formal language. If someone insists on you using his/her first name, it's a whole different ballgame.

 

[Tensyle]

It's still a professional relationship which requires formal language. If someone insists on you using his/her first name, it's a whole different ballgame.

Then how would you address someone who does not have a MD, DO, or PhD, or any other medical degree, and says "admissions counselor" by his/her name?

 

[Quix]

Then how would you address someone who does not have a MD, DO, or PhD, or any other medical degree, and says "admissions counselor" by his/her name?

(1) I would not use his/her name in the response.

(2) If I am meeting them face-to-face, I would ask them what title he/she preferred.

(3) If I am corresponding with him/her via e-mail/snail mail, I would ask the department administrative assistant what title to use.

 

[Tensyle]

crap i hope i dint piss her off.

 

[MassTransport]

Piss her off? I doubt it. It's unprofessional, though. I get the feeling most people don't care that much, definitely not enough to blackball you.

 

[Quix]

Piss her off? I doubt it. It's unprofessional, though. I get the feeling most people don't care that much, definitely not enough to blackball you.

Yep, it's just irritating (more for some than others), but it's not a deal-breaker.

 

[knife to me plz]

Always address your superiors by their proper titles, "Dr." "Professor," unless otherwise corrected. I've had attending physicians come up to me and say "please call me by my first name." Once you've established that rapport it's fine.

 

[mindquick]

i thought we were supposed to call these people by their first names. they always tell me "you can call me by my first name" so i assume they like that.

 

[Quix]

i thought we were supposed to call these people by their first names. they always tell me "you can call me by my first name" so i assume they like that.

That's fine - they've asked for that level of familiarity; this does not, however, translate into a general rule. 🙂

 

[Revenant]

Use sir/ma'am.

Jesus people it's not that hard...for the amount of brainpower on this board there appears to be a lack of common sense to match.

 

[Quix]

Use sir/ma'am.

Jesus people it's not that hard...for the amount of brainpower on this board there appears to be a lack of common sense to match.

All's fair in love and pre-med neurosis. 😉

 

[Blade28]

That sort of thing happens all the time, and it may do you credit, as it paints you as a more mature student, rather than an undergrad who has to go around compulsively calling everyone 'Professor'.

I don't think it shows you're a more mature student. There's nothing wrong with manners and being polite, especially during the initial meeting/conversation!

But they'll probably just assume it was a natural slip-up from being nervous.