How much does a call from someone important matter?

[mdphdcand]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey all,

The president of my university who is very known in the academic community let me know his support of my application and said he'd be willing to make some calls if need be. So wondering if anyone else has been in a situation where the fate of their app has been decided/changed due to a phone call by someone "important"...

A question for people who've been in similar shoes. I'm in no way banking on it but just wondering what kind of weight, if any it carries...

 

[jckut10]

.

 

[Bernoull]

u may want to be cautious with this. A phone call may seem... well unseemly, it looks like you're trying to ...circumvent/shortcircuit/[insert euphemism here] ... the normal admissions process via influential connections and this can backfire. Getting him to write a letter of support seems more appropriate and falls within the normal procedures (LORs, Updates etc)..

goodluck

 

[artx2008]

I have heard about two people who did something like that. In the end, they got the interview but didn't get the acceptance anyway.
If I were you, I would not do it.

 

[Catalystik]

I don't think a phone call would help unless the president of your university is personally known to the person he calls on your behalf (anyone can call and say they are a university predsident). In that case, the call could be helpful if your application is borderline. Otherwise, a letter on your school's stationary is more useful.

 

[DALee33]

What are your stats? Do you need the 'call' to get into the school of your choice? I agree that a letter may be the better way to go if you are borderline.

It is always a plus to have people supporting your app to medical school. You just need to decide in what capacity you would like the support to be. I had someone willing to support my application to a certain medical school--he worked there as a Ph.D. for 20+ years and is a family friend--he knows me very well, but I received an interview, etc. before he had a chance to do anything. I just sent that person a thank you card thanking them for offering to support my app.

In my opinion, any help you can get is great--so definitely at least take a letter!! It is great that the president of your school wants to support you.

 

[J ROD]

It is a slippery slope that can hurt more than help.....really depends on how important the person really is......

if they can actually walk the talk then it probably would be good to use...