phone calls?

[sisyphus22]

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i've been told that phone calls from your letter-writers or advisors make a big difference... is this something we should ask for? does it only matter if they're well known in the field? when should these calls be made (ie before or after the interviews)? and should they call only your top choice?

just seems like an awkward thing to request, but i realize that in this field, who you know matters...

 

[4424]

i dont have much experience but i would say that i would have someone call on your behalf only if they know you really well. if you have that person then i would only have them call your #1 after interviews are done and you are finalizing your rank list. it can't hurt you anytime but i think it would be most helpful later in the process

 

[rubensan]

the importance of the phone call is highly variable depending on who it's from and the program/person that is being called. if everyone used this tactic phones would be ringing off the hook. here is how i handled it. schedule some time with your letter writer (5-10 minutes max). instead of asking "will you make a call on my behalf?" let them know the top 3 programs that you are really interested in and ask "do you think a call from you to these programs will help?" if they say yes, then your question is answered. if they say no, well this usually leads into a discussion re: other strategies.

 

[Vballguy]

As per our dean, each applicant typically gets 1 phone call from your PD to the PD of one school. It is typically used for your #1 ranked place, and it generally only helps if you are a 'bubble' applicant. Students will typically not use it for their non-#1 rank choice because if they then rank you #1, and you get into a different spot, your PD looks bad.

Essentially, your PD tells the other PD that they are your #1 choice. If you fall into the "already ranked in our top X and thus guaranteed a spot" group, the other PD's response is "great, the ball is in his/her court." If you fall into the "sorry, they royally screwed the interview and have no chance" group, then the PD will respond with "sorry, not much I can do there." But if you fall into the bubble group, which is like the majority of the pack, it can move you up several spaces in their rank list (likely depending on the relationship between the two PD's). This may allow you to match at that location, since almost everyone looks the same after the top few spots.

 

[rubensan]

hmmm, that's interesting. i wonder how many institutions do this? let's make a poll.

As per our dean, each applicant typically gets 1 phone call from your PD to the PD of one school. It is typically used for your #1 ranked place, and it generally only helps if you are a 'bubble' applicant. Students will typically not use it for their non-#1 rank choice because if they then rank you #1, and you get into a different spot, your PD looks bad.

Essentially, your PD tells the other PD that they are your #1 choice. If you fall into the "already ranked in our top X and thus guaranteed a spot" group, the other PD's response is "great, the ball is in his/her court." If you fall into the "sorry, they royally screwed the interview and have no chance" group, then the PD will respond with "sorry, not much I can do there." But if you fall into the bubble group, which is like the majority of the pack, it can move you up several spaces in their rank list (likely depending on the relationship between the two PD's). This may allow you to match at that location, since almost everyone looks the same after the top few spots.

 

[Wolverine98]

IME, it really only makes a difference if the person receiving the call already knows the person making it. If the person making the call trained, trained with, or was trained by the person they're calling, that will mean a lot more. Unfortunately, it's not the kind of thing you have any control over.

Otherwise I don't think it really gives any advantage over a regular letter.

At my med school the dean was an ophthalmologist, and he offered to call my top two choices on my behalf.

Dave

 

[kulkarka]

This leads to an interesting question...When do most programs make their rank list? I won't know what my number one choice is until around December 15th, after I've had time to think about everything. If my letter writers call my top choice after that, is that going to be too late? If a program makes their rank list right after their last interview, then it could be too late. Any thoughts?