how do related alumnae affect admissions?

[brutus]

i'm a california resident who has applied to all the UCs. i have only received a secondary from uc irvine. my grandfather went to graduate school at uc davis and is a somewhat prominent scientist. since there is no way davis would know that, i guess they just don't take that kind of thing into consideration? i was really hoping it would hold some sway, but i guess not!

does anyone know if med schools take this into account? i know some of my secondaries asked for related alumnae information. should i write to UC?

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[LoveDoc]

I wrote about 13 letters to schools. Got many responses. One adcom wrote back and told me another adcom was from my home state. I then called and kept calling and got positive feedback and one adcom told me I'd done everything she'd requested and granted me an interview. This is for post-bacc but I think it can work for med too.

Make yourself stand out.

 

[::Seabass::]

I think family connections increase your chances of getting an interview dramatically. However, many who get invited for interview aren't seriously being consider, just offered an interview as a formality.