How much calling is too much calling?

[moops]

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So, for several schools ambiguous about their admission dates- I have been wary to make phone calls. Do they keep track of how many types you call, or is it okay to check every day or two briefly the "status of your application." What are your thoughts here?

 

[PMED99]

My thoughts are this:

Calling is okay by some. Not really sure about which ones, but it is always good to make sure they did not lose your file or something bad. Also good to just touch base with them about your concerns. Most of the time you are just talking to a secretary and the people deciding your fate will never know you called.

But...I would think once a day or even once a week would be too much. Unless you are on the waiting list, I would not call but every two weeks. This just seems nicer for the people working there. Just think about how many applicants there are, and think about them all calling once a day. Seems annoying right? But, I dont believe they have any problem with every now and again.

Just my two cents, which lately I think is more like a peso, but nevertheless hope my limited knowledge helps.

 

[moops]

anyone else?

 

[Street Philosopher]

the only times i've ever called was to schedule my interview. don't waste people's time just because you're tired of waiting.

 

[tms]

Originally posted by Street Philosopher
the only times i've ever called was to schedule my interview. don't waste people's time just because you're tired of waiting.

i second that motion...unless you have already established a good relationship with the admissions office

 

[JM.]

the only school i have bugged post inerview is temple - because they opted not to send me a secondary before my interview (?????), and i called to check and see that they had received it and it was in the proper category and would go to commitee as planned. (and cause the admissions director told me to call to make sure everything was straight)

this info did not trickle down to the secretary, who was rather pissed at me for calling to see if me file was complete... but what the heck.

so i interviewedthere with no secondary or LOR...

wierd

 

[CRAZYTERP]

Originally posted by Street Philosopher
the only times i've ever called was to schedule my interview. don't waste people's time just because you're tired of waiting.

How is it wasting someone's time if you call? I mean the pople you are calling are the receptionsists. It's not like you have the direct line to the dean of admissions and aren't they getting paid to answer our questions? Why else did I pay $75? Was it so they could just read my application? That is complete BS and seriously, you don't really have to be that condescending on SDN, it just makes you sound like a bigger jackass.

 

[Moskeeto]

If the admissions office receptionist recognizes your voice and asks how your parents are doing, you might be calling too much.

 

[CRAZYTERP]

this is true

 

[moops]

that comment about "wasting time"... that has to be the biggest pile of dog crap. people take initiative- it gets people places and i know it's helped me throughout this process a great deal- who is to say that calling is "wasting" anybody's time. you are calling a secretary whose job is to keep track of all the records of the applicants and furthermore, notify them of their decision. calling to check on the status of your application, if you do it RIGHT, takes about 30 seconds.

by claiming that such a call is a "waste" of their time, you really are demeaning yourself. you really don't think that 30 seconds of their time is worth the comfort in you knowing the status of your application?

i believe in being humble, yes, but don't try to portray yourself as a know-it-all jackass.. i'm pretty sure you aren't.

out.

 

[Street Philosopher]

Originally posted by CRAZYTERP
How is it wasting someone's time if you call? I mean the pople you are calling are the receptionsists. It's not like you have the direct line to the dean of admissions and aren't they getting paid to answer our questions? Why else did I pay $75? Was it so they could just read my application? That is complete BS and seriously, you don't really have to be that condescending on SDN, it just makes you sound like a bigger jackass.

Woah there Nelly, I think you better calm down. Paying $75 does not mean that you should call every 1-2 days like the OP said. That's not getting your money's worth, it's just being rude. If you can't see that, well then, I'm not really going to try to convince you. As for me being condescending or sounding like a jackass, I don't really see how my reply could be interpreted as being that way. So just mellow out CrazyTerp guy.

People will attack anyone around here. Catty mofos up in this. Meow.

 

[moops]

haha- SP- apologies for the dogpoo comment, it was out of line- guess i'm too anxious 🙂

all the best

 

[Street Philosopher]

😉

 

[Resident Alien]

use your head

 

[CRAZYTERP]

RA,
I didn't mean to jump all over you and I totally agree that calling every day is extreme, but if you want to call once a week how are they going to know its you.

Anyhow, now that the wait is almost over it's really the hardest time to stay patient. I mean I feel like I am waiting for my MCATS again....

 

[ColumbiaMPH]

My policy is this:

Call only once a month or so (if at all) if you still have not heard anything after filling out a secondary except in the following circumstances:

>It it 2 weeks after the date by which they have told you that they would respond to you,

>You are making a change or following up on new information about your application (e.g., change of address, grade report, additional letter of recommendation, etc.)

>You have a valid question to ask them (not "When are you going to get back to me" or questions of the like)

I know for a fact that some schools actually make a note in your application when you call. Personally, I think it is good to look interested (i.e., checking every month or so) and bad to look desperate.