Parent(s) are docs: effect on interview invites

[lil'trooper]

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Question for anybody whose parent(s) is/are MDs: Does it help you get interviews at their alma maters?

I was complete a little later than average and the only 2 places I've received interviews from thus far are:

1. where daddy went for Med School

and

2. where mommy went for Med School.

I'm concerned that this is it for me in terms of interviews. I'm done with one (haven't heard yet) and have one at the end of January. Am feeling dejected about the prospect that I'm not actually an impressive candidate...

Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[LikeClockWork]

I don't think there's a whole lot of consideration given to "legacies" in the med school realm. Perhaps your interviews were given under those circumstances, but then again, perhaps not. I got an interview at my father's alma mater, but then again, I also work there and it's my state school. No one ever mentioned my dad to me during the interview, so I figured it had less to do with my dad, and more to do with my residency status and stats. If the schools gave you interviews then they consider you at least preliminarily a good candidate for their school. Chin up!

 

[Bartelby]

Legacy status is probably at least somewhat important, but as long as you turn one of those invites into an acceptance who cares about getting other interviews? Just try to focus on what you have. If that doesn't work out, then you can start worrying (and you will have had probably at least several peaceful months!).

 

[87138]

I don't think there's a whole lot of consideration given to "legacies" in the med school realm. Perhaps your interviews were given under those circumstances, but then again, perhaps not. I got an interview at my father's alma mater, but then again, I also work there and it's my state school. No one ever mentioned my dad to me during the interview, so I figured it had less to do with my dad, and more to do with my residency status and stats. If the schools gave you interviews then they consider you at least preliminarily a good candidate for their school. Chin up!

At one school, I asked my interviewer why he chose that school (he was an alum from many years ago, and is currently a practicing MD in that school's hospital). His response was "well, my father went here, so that pretty much sealed the deal for me getting in. I then withdrew my applications elsewhere."

Of course he was going through the system in the 70's. Probably at least somewhat different now, if not significantly different.

 

[spanamit]

Penn in their application asked if parents were affiliated with/or graduates of Penn medical school.

 

[SilverMoon]

I have an interview at the school where both my parents did residency, but I don't think they're interviewing me because of that. It also took forever for that school to get back to me, despite the fact that I applied about average timeframe.

There's no evidence to suggest that you got your interviews on your parents' merits, so give yourself your due credit and try to do well on them. Who knows, maybe you'll hear from more schools soon - especially if you applied later in the cycle and hit the big rush.

 

[AlexMorph]

I think legacy does play a part in med school admissions. I have no clue as to how big of a part it plays though. I'm not saying it's gonna trump GPA or MCAT, but if everything else is the same, wouldn't you want to admit the son/daughter of someone who was capable of getting into the school in the past?

 

[NJDIF]

in terms of legacy, it means bupkis.

i am currently on pre interview hold at my dad's med school, have yet to hear anything from the school he is technically on faculty.

in terms of looking at the fact that your parents are in the field, there is good news and bad news. the good news is, is that youve grown up around medicine and have seen the wear and tear that the field can do on a person over time. the bad news is, is just make sure when the interviewer brings it up, you get the point across that the decision to go into medicine was consciously your own (i am assuming it was).

 

[jad2121]

I don't think there's a whole lot of consideration given to "legacies" in the med school realm. Perhaps your interviews were given under those circumstances, but then again, perhaps not. I got an interview at my father's alma mater, but then again, I also work there and it's my state school. No one ever mentioned my dad to me during the interview, so I figured it had less to do with my dad, and more to do with my residency status and stats. If the schools gave you interviews then they consider you at least preliminarily a good candidate for their school. Chin up!

Oh man are you wrong. Legacies are SO important. Connections of any kind are so important. When I interviewed at my fathers alma mater, the first thing they said to me was "so I don't have to ask you why you want to come here". They freaking love it. That being said it doesn't mean everything. If you don't have the grades AT ALL or if you have an awful interview, legacies can't save you. But it DEFINITELY helps.

 

[MDRus]

all connections matter. period. in every aspect of life. forever.

and there is nothing wrong with it.

start making them and keep making them if you want to be successful in ANYTHING.

 

[LikeClockWork]

Oh man are you wrong. Legacies are SO important. Connections of any kind are so important. When I interviewed at my fathers alma mater, the first thing they said to me was "so I don't have to ask you why you want to come here". They freaking love it. That being said it doesn't mean everything. If you don't have the grades AT ALL or if you have an awful interview, legacies can't save you. But it DEFINITELY helps.

Well, I think it depends school to school, interviewer to interviewer. The old school docs sure do love legacies because medicine used to be much more of an old boys club. My interviewer was a dean at the med school when my dad was there, but he never seemed too concerned with it. I'm not saying legacy status doesn't help, but it probably doesn't do as much as one would like to hope. It can at least be a talking point, but I don't think it will put you over another candidate. Only your stats and experience can do that.

 

[gujuDoc]

Question for anybody whose parent(s) is/are MDs: Does it help you get interviews at their alma maters?

I was complete a little later than average and the only 2 places I've received interviews from thus far are:

1. where daddy went for Med School

and

2. where mommy went for Med School.

I'm concerned that this is it for me in terms of interviews. I'm done with one (haven't heard yet) and have one at the end of January. Am feeling dejected about the prospect that I'm not actually an impressive candidate...

Any thoughts or experiences?

From what I've seen in the past, legacy can help get an interview but not an acceptance. And an interview is nothing if it doesn't result in acceptance.

I remember one year a girl I knew had gotten into only one med school in the middle of north dakota and as someone who'd gone to a top tier university for undergrad in a bigger city and come from a bigger city herself she wasn't going to go there so she turned it down and retook t eh MCAT and did a year of postbac with a lot of 3000-5000 level courses (upper tier undergrad level to graduate level courses). She ended up getting interviews at the state schools the following year and got in at her top choice.

I've heard of other similar stories to. Evaluate what may be weak in your application in terms of numbers, ECs, letters, etc.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

No school is ever going to say, "We let someone in because of a legacy," so it's hard to quantify if and how much a legacy, or any other significant connection, helps. From personal experiences and the experiences of close personal friends, I believe connections get your foot in the door but you have to do the rest on your own.

 

[gujuDoc]

Question for anybody whose parent(s) is/are MDs: Does it help you get interviews at their alma maters?

I was complete a little later than average and the only 2 places I've received interviews from thus far are:

1. where daddy went for Med School

and

2. where mommy went for Med School.

I'm concerned that this is it for me in terms of interviews. I'm done with one (haven't heard yet) and have one at the end of January. Am feeling dejected about the prospect that I'm not actually an impressive candidate...

Any thoughts or experiences?

What is your profile looking like? In terms of GPA/MCAT and extracurriculars? were your essays strong and what about letters of rec?

 

[87138]

No school is ever going to say, "We let someone in because of a legacy," so it's hard to quantify if and how much a legacy, or any other significant connection, helps. From personal experiences and the experiences of close personal friends, I believe connections get your foot in the door but you have to do the rest on your own.

Precisely. I'd say that in many cases, being a legacy may help get you an interview (assuming your stats at least somewhat mirror the quality of the people they are interviewing), but I doubt it gets you very much more than that. After the interview invite, it's up to you.

 

[lil'trooper]

What is your profile looking like? In terms of GPA/MCAT and extracurriculars? were your essays strong and what about letters of rec?

Profile is decent but not great. 31R, 3.7, long-term volunteering, good essays. My AMCAS wasn't complete until early September which is the reasonable explanation. Nonetheless, it can't be random that my only interviews are with my parents' schools. I'm nontrad... it won't hurt to be patient and I know I interview well.

 

[Ashers]

Just in regard to the first post, since I'm procrastinating, but really should study. My sister and I applied a year apart to med school (I went first), and we had similar stats.

My dad went to USC. I didn't get an interview there. My sister got an interview, got in, and is an M2.

After talking with my sister about their program, I'm glad I didn't go there. Didn't sound like it's for me. My dad even likes my school more than USC now.

 

[gujuDoc]

Profile is decent but not great. 31R, 3.7, long-term volunteering, good essays. My AMCAS wasn't complete until early September which is the reasonable explanation. Nonetheless, it can't be random that my only interviews are with my parents' schools. I'm nontrad... it won't hurt to be patient and I know I interview well.

Yeah I don't know then. It seems like you have a decent profile. Just update schools if you have done new volunteering activities or other new ECs or what not. that's probably the best I could recommend. Also a letter of interest, not intent but of interest would possibly help at some schools.

 

[jkl123]

YES YES YES it definitely gets you interviews...... some of the top schools even GUARANTEE an interview for alumni children.

 

[Dogsjill]

I would assume that it probably has to do with whether your parents are practicing in the same area they went to school. Mine still live in the town where they went to med school and everyone knows my mother's name, so I know that it will come up at that school if I interview there next year. I'm sure it only helps unless your parents aren't well liked by the local medical community.

 

[Geekchick921]

I would say it has an effect. As some people have mentioned, some schools basically promise you a secondary/interview/complimentary gift basket.

Personally, I wonder if being the child of an alumnus of the school, but not the medical school itself, has any clout. Case in point, my mother graduated from Jefferson's nursing school. Jeff is actually my first choice medical school, partially because my mom went to the nursing school there, and I think she is an excellent healthcare giver. The nursing school (now part of the college of medical professions at Jeff) is separate from the medical school, so I doubt it'll come into play, but I hope it does.

 

[gujuDoc]

I would say it has an effect. As some people have mentioned, some schools basically promise you a secondary/interview/complimentary gift basket.

Personally, I wonder if being the child of an alumnus of the school, but not the medical school itself, has any clout. Case in point, my mother graduated from Jefferson's nursing school. Jeff is actually my first choice medical school, partially because my mom went to the nursing school there, and I think she is an excellent healthcare giver. The nursing school (now part of the college of medical professions at Jeff) is separate from the medical school, so I doubt it'll come into play, but I hope it does.

I don't know if that makes a difference. Maybe your mom's program being nursing might to some degree because it is part of health sciences but I don't think just being part of an underrad portion of a university would have the same bearing as having had a relative who graduated from the MD program itself.

 

[Thurinus]

all connections matter. period. in every aspect of life. forever.

and there is nothing wrong with it.

start making them and keep making them if you want to be successful in ANYTHING.

Absolutely. Everybody needs connections. It is the only way to get anywhere.

 

[pakbabydoll]

It would make a difference if the adcoms knew your parents/uncles personally other wise sorry it does not matter.

 

[Geekchick921]

I don't know if that makes a difference. Maybe your mom's program being nursing might to some degree because it is part of health sciences but I don't think just being part of an underrad portion of a university would have the same bearing as having had a relative who graduated from the MD program itself.

Yeah, I know it probably doesn't; it's mostly just wishful thinking on my part. Though Jeff is entirely health science programs.

 

[nygiant]

Albany Medical College interviews all sons and daughters of alumni who apply to AMC.

Remember that alumni are always being asked to give $$$$ to their medical college. if legacies are denied admission...why bother giving?

 

[patekpremed]

I talked to someone who was previously on an admissions board for 20+ years and they told me the admissions office sees this scenario in 1 of 2 ways:

1) They have experienced what it takes to be a doctor (i.e. getting up at night to see patients, working on the weekends, etc.)

OR

2) They are trying to be a doctor just because their parents are.

He said that it probably wouldn't affect interview invites. They actually would rather meet you in person to see how you react to questions about the above two situations.

 

[shiftingmirage]

Depends on the school, and you can most likely tell by the app. I think Jefferson specifically says they are interested in legacy and their secondary is parents through half siblings through great great aunts that went to their school or currently work there or at their hospital. No additional esssays required. They like legacy, schools that do not ask about who you know don't care.

 

[njbmd]

Question for anybody whose parent(s) is/are MDs: Does it help you get interviews at their alma maters?

I was complete a little later than average and the only 2 places I've received interviews from thus far are:

1. where daddy went for Med School

and

2. where mommy went for Med School.

I'm concerned that this is it for me in terms of interviews. I'm done with one (haven't heard yet) and have one at the end of January. Am feeling dejected about the prospect that I'm not actually an impressive candidate...

Any thoughts or experiences?

There are ten physicians in my family including myself. I didn't apply to the schools where my father (or any of my other family members) attended and received six interviews so I don't think that this matters much.

There are some schools that are big on legacies but that only goes so far because you need to have something to make you competitive within the context of the applicant pool in the year that you apply. Many schools will invite legacy applicants as a courtesy to their alums but won't offer admission unless you are competitive.

Maybe you are not a very impressive candidate and won't get an acceptance this year. The thing is that there are plenty of folks out there who don't have any interviews yet and are not feeling great. Be happy that you received two interviews for whatever reason and move on.