Mentor calling the school on my behalf?

[Robanada]

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I've read some of the other threads about this, but they all seem to be more centered on "I've had an interview at this school, and my mentor wants to call to recommend me."
My situation is a LITTLE different. I started shadowing a doc about 4 months ago, and she's been guiding me through the process, although I did not ask her to write a LOR for me because I did not know her well at the time.

I was talking to her about a school that I would really like to go to, but they are not OOS friendly. I received a secondary and completed it, but as the numbers stand, I have a 1% chance of getting in at this point. I'd really like to get an interview, because I think it's one of those schools where they think that you won't stay in the area, so they mostly want locals. I would seriously consider staying in the area (at least for several years) because I have some family there and I love the cold weather. The way the secondary prompt worked, I wasn't really able to communicate that information to them.

So my mentor offered to call the school for me, as she has done for another student. I just wanted to check with SDN to make sure that this couldn't hurt me? All I really want is an interview so that I can express to them my desire to attend that particular school.

 

[ryoko]

Out of curiosity, is this school the University of Washington? If so, they are receptive to updates, so perhaps your mentor can submit a letter of support on your behalf.

 

[Ismet]

Ask her to write an LOR for you now and send it as an update to the school. Don't call.

 

[sector9]

Did you see this thread? http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=842648
It was also pre-interview

 

[LifeTake2]

You could just always have your mom call and tell them how great you are 🙂

If the physican wants to help a well-written LOR in your file is the way to go. Nobody they reach on the phone will have the ability to help you get an interview. And if it isn't in your chart on letterhead and with a signature it won't impact any decisions post-interview.

 

[Robanada]

No, it's the University of Colorado.
They are receptive to 3-5 letters, so I suppose I could send them two more. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if they're one of the schools that asks for your LORs in the secondary (so they know which ones to expect). If they do, I'm not sure if I can still add any more, since I completed the secondary about a month ago.

 

[Robanada]

Did you see this thread? http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=842648
It was also pre-interview

I skipped that one because the OP was writing about a PI calling. From the research I've done, a PI seems to be a pretty important person, whereas the physician I'm shadowing is, you know.. "just a doctor." She has no affiliation with the school whatsoever.

You could just always have your mom call and tell them how great you are 🙂

If the physican wants to help a well-written LOR in your file is the way to go. Nobody they reach on the phone will have the ability to help you get an interview. And if it isn't in your chart on letterhead and with a signature it won't impact any decisions post-interview.

Alrite, sounds good. I'm glad I asked- it seems like the other threads have been more for the phonecall, but you guys seem to advise against it.

 

[Ismet]

No, it's the University of Colorado.
They are receptive to 3-5 letters, so I suppose I could send them two more. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if they're one of the schools that asks for your LORs in the secondary (so they know which ones to expect). If they do, I'm not sure if I can still add any more, since I completed the secondary about a month ago.

When a school is receptive to updates, that includes additional LORs that highlight something you have been doing since you submitted your primary or secondary.