LOR, Connections, and Who You Know

[deleted92121]

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It's no secret we need multiple LOR for our applications to be complete.

But how valuable is it to have connections? Can who you know help influence admission committees?

Example: I am fortunate to be close with a few practicing DOs that have a strong affiliation with a certain medical school, including a director of osteopathic GME at an affiliated residency. These are my planned LOR.

So how "powerful" can these types of persons be in the admission committees decision making?

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

With your 2.8 cGPA, it's most likely not going to help much. Unless you give up a handsome "donation" to the school. The schools have minimums that must be met for certain things like GPA and MCAT subsection scores. But then again, ya never know. They'll probably help. Probably not.

 

[deleted92121]

With your 2.8 cGPA, it's most likely not going to help much. Unless you give up a handsome "donation" to the school. The schools have minimums that must be met for certain things like GPA and MCAT subsection scores. But then again, ya never know. They'll probably help. Probably not.

Well the school in question has a min GPA of 2.7 cumulative and science. My cumulative may be low but I do have a science GPA of 3.3 to 3.4 right now. Plus great EC such as ~10 yrs paramedic.

 

[AFNI_User]

Would a few strategic grade replacements/retakes help lift up that GPA?

 

[Shinobiz11]

Not sure if this is true or not, but I believe I was offered an interview at CMU (MD) because I shadowed with one of their clinical professors and he wrote me a letter. I was subsequently wait listed, but it made sense in my head.

 

[AlteredScale]

It's no secret we need multiple LOR for our applications to be complete.

But how valuable is it to have connections? Can who you know help influence admission committees?

Example: I am fortunate to be close with a few practicing DOs that have a strong affiliation with a certain medical school, including a director of osteopathic GME at an affiliated residency. These are my planned LOR.

So how "powerful" can these types of persons be in the admission committees decision making?

As per @Goro 's wise wisdom: if your application is poor but you have some good connections, you'll probably get a courtesy interview.

I don't believe connections can influence the decision to accept a candidate, especially if your application is already on the line between waitlist and reject.

In addition, I don't think being close with the director of an OGME residency will have much power.

The most powerful thing one can have during the medical school application cycle is a strong application.

 

[MightBeACylon439]

As per @Goro 's wise wisdom: if your application is poor but you have some good connections, you'll probably get a courtesy interview.

I don't believe connections can influence the decision to accept a candidate, especially if your application is already on the line between waitlist and reject.

In addition, I don't think being close with the director of an OGME residency will have much power.

The most powerful thing one can have during the medical school application cycle is a strong application.

 

[deleted92121]

Great info so far. Couple points:

1. I need a few retakes in non-science courses mostly to get my cGPA up to at least 3.0. Definitely doable by 2016/17 app cycle.

2. My LOR are all from osteopathic physicians. One is from my friend and attending I have worked with for five years. Good friends in and out of work. The other one is my "connection". He is a clinical instructor for the medical school I am interested in attending. He also is residency director for their affiliated residency. He is well known in the program. I should mention the first LOR I mentioned is great friends with a member of the schools ADCOM and I have spent some time with him as well. Told me to contact him when I applied.

One thing I will mention is I am not hedging on gaining acceptance because of who I know. If I get my cGPA to 3.0, then I have a better chance and I will continue to work on this. But getting to 3.0 + good MCAT + LOR + EC = greater chance of acceptance. Simple as that.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Sounds like a plan. Get your GPA up past that 3.0 and apply when ready. Don't give them any reason to reject you especially with a bomb connection lined up.

 

[hallowmann]

LORs from connections (whether alumni, PDs at affiliates, etc.) are all very useful when it comes to applications for MD, DO, PhD, residency, and really even jobs. Networking and connections have a big impact. It might only be enough to get you in the door, but depending on who you are (personality, other stats, etc.), that might be enough. Don't underestimate it.

This is especially true if your connection can call someone on the adcom or a higher up at the school on your behalf. I've watched it happen enough times to know it has a huge effect.

OP, it's been a while. It sounds like the post-bac went well. If I were you, I'd get your cGPA above a 3.0 and apply broadly. Definitely use whatever connections you have, they sound like good ones (in fact if the school is the one I think it is, I might even know one or 2 of them). Good luck on the upcoming cycle. I hope it all works out.

 

[Goro]

They won't rescue poor candidates, they might be beneficial if the candidate is on the fence.

LORs from connections (whether alumni, PDs at affiliates, etc.) are all very useful when it comes to applications for MD, DO, PhD, residency, and really even jobs. Networking and connections have a big impact. It might only be enough to get you in the door, but depending on who you are (personality, other stats, etc.), that might be enough. Don't underestimate it.

 

[deleted92121]

LORs from connections (whether alumni, PDs at affiliates, etc.) are all very useful when it comes to applications for MD, DO, PhD, residency, and really even jobs. Networking and connections have a big impact. It might only be enough to get you in the door, but depending on who you are (personality, other stats, etc.), that might be enough. Don't underestimate it.

This is especially true if your connection can call someone on the adcom or a higher up at the school on your behalf. I've watched it happen enough times to know it has a huge effect.

OP, it's been a while. It sounds like the post-bac went well. If I were you, I'd get your cGPA above a 3.0 and apply broadly. Definitely use whatever connections you have, they sound like good ones (in fact if the school is the one I think it is, I might even know one or 2 of them). Good luck on the upcoming cycle. I hope it all works out.

Post-bacc went well for sure. Got my butt in gear and did well in retakes and other courses. Science GPA is solid, cumulative GPA still below 3.0 but not by much. Figuring around 2.955 but with over 180 credit hours, one course only bumps it up a little. May take a shot with the 2.955 cGPA and 3.385 sGPA and 28 MCAT.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

P.S. I am guessing you're probably spot on with the school in question.

 

[cadingcading]

Do keep us updated if you can!