Meeting With Director of Admissions at First Choice School

[drcivil]

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I was hoping to get some last minute advice about a phone call I will be having with the director of admissions at my first choice school.

I volunteer in a non-clinical setting for a health system. In my office there is an MD who is on the board of admissions. I have been fortunate to work with and get to know her pretty well over the last few months. The school is a reach for me with a 510 MCAT and their median being 516. However, my GPA and ECs are fairly strong and competitive.

She advised I speak with the director of admissions at the school and informed the director that I would be reaching out. Unfortunately, she did't give me too much direction and hasn't been in the office since I set up the meeting. I am planning on asking what I can do to make my application stand out more but seeing as my application is currently being reviewed I am not sure how much she will be able to tell me. Also, is it too much to inform the director that this is truly my first choice school?

I appreciate any advice ... not expecting much from the meeting tbh but I guess it couldn't hurt to get my name out there.

 

[Phile98]

I've never heard of such a meeting happening, but as long as you use your time wisely, I don't see any negative things that can result. My question is though, why do you want the meeting? Do you have specific questions? I think your intentions should be clear. Perhaps @Goro @Catalystik can help you navigate this.

 

[Goro]

I was hoping to get some last minute advice about a phone call I will be having with the director of admissions at my first choice school.

I volunteer in a non-clinical setting for a health system. In my office there is an MD who is on the board of admissions. I have been fortunate to work with and get to know her pretty well over the last few months. The school is a reach for me with a 510 MCAT and their median being 516. However, my GPA and ECs are fairly strong and competitive.

She advised I speak with the director of admissions at the school and informed the director that I would be reaching out. Unfortunately, she did't give me too much direction and hasn't been in the office since I set up the meeting. I am planning on asking what I can do to make my application stand out more but seeing as my application is currently being reviewed I am not sure how much she will be able to tell me. Also, is it too much to inform the director that this is truly my first choice school?

I appreciate any advice ... not expecting much from the meeting tbh but I guess it couldn't hurt to get my name out there.

Asking what you can do to stand out better is a good question.
Asking about what kinds of people are the typical acceptees is also good.

What else did you want to ask her to begin with?

Telling her that her school is your first choice school will be meaningless, because even if true, she's heard it a gazillion times before.

 

[DokterMom]

I'd agree that having a clear objective for your call would be helpful to avoid wasting this very busy person's time.

 

[drcivil]

Thanks for the responses. my primary objective is to figure out what I can do to further distinguish myself (especially at this school). To be honest I wouldn’t have scheduled the meeting myself. However seeing as the MD on the adcom strongly advised I speak with the director and told the director I would be reaching out, I thought it would be foolish to turn down the opportunity.

Like I said I don’t expect much seeing as they are currently reviewing my app. But I’m hoping I may get some good takeaways. I was just looking for some additional advice/input or anything I should avoid saying. Obviously I will be grateful no matter what for the directors time.

 

[Catalystik]

I was hoping to get some last minute advice about a phone call I will be having with the director of admissions at my first choice school.

I volunteer in a non-clinical setting for a health system. In my office there is an MD who is on the board of admissions. I have been fortunate to work with and get to know her pretty well over the last few months. The school is a reach for me with a 510 MCAT and their median being 516. However, my GPA and ECs are fairly strong and competitive.

She advised I speak with the director of admissions at the school and informed the director that I would be reaching out. Unfortunately, she did't give me too much direction and hasn't been in the office since I set up the meeting.

1) I am planning on asking what I can do to make my application stand out more but seeing as my application is currently being reviewed I am not sure how much she will be able to tell me.
2) Also, is it too much to inform the director that this is truly my first choice school?

1) As you've already applied, it's too late to ask that unless you plan to apply again next year if you don't get in. I'm not clear on why you are making this call if you don't have an agenda. "Reaching out" is kinda vague. Asking what characteristics he/she most likes to see in an applicant would be a reasonable question. Communicating why the school is a good fit for you might be another direction to go in.

2) Don't do it. You haven't even interviewed yet. It will sound like you're sucking up.