Question about colleague "pulling strings"

[Calizboosted76]

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Hello everyone. I have a few colleagues/now friends that have told me they have close friends either as ADCOMS or Dean/assistant dean and that they would give them a call as a favor to me. My question is how would this look? Is it unprofessional? Has any ADCOM on here ever had a friend call them?

 

[DrRedstone]

If they are a good connection and are willing to speak well for you, use your resources. No Shane in that, you'll be doing it for the rest of your career.

 

[John1234214]

If you were a hiring manager and one of your friends called you and said hey I highly recommend this specific applicant you have for XYZ reason, you are probably going to be pretty likely to take that into consideration. Don't really see how it could reflect badly on you but I don't know for sure.

 

[deleted936470]

Not shameful, just resourceful.

 

[big_Z]

I think op is more worried about a fraternization effect or unethical pathway of acceptance that was based off "who you know" rather than "who you are". I'd assume it's not unethical from my work experience but as medical school requires the highest degree of professionalism perhaps @Goro can give his gut feelings.

 

[DrRedstone]

In the end, you'll still have to make a good impression at the interview. A good word will only open the door for you to get that chance

 

[The Creeper]

Something I realized as I made my way through the medical field, is that the networking portion becomes more and more important. Academics (grades, drive, consistency, etc) all continue to carry a heavy percentage in the decision making process but as we move through the gauntlet of medical training all the academic achievements become increasingly similar so when there is something in addition added to the pot whether it is a personal reference ("pulled string") or interesting extracurricular it gives an edge (or keeps you on their mind/near the top of the application pile).

 

[Goro]

Hello everyone. I have a few colleagues/now friends that have told me they have close friends either as ADCOMS or Dean/assistant dean and that they would give them a call as a favor to me. My question is how would this look? Is it unprofessional? Has any ADCOM on here ever had a friend call them?

It's just annoying. Give the Adcoms a break.

Where networking really seems to count is residency

 

[Ho0v-man]

If it’s localdocs you know/work with who are doing this, go for it but don’t expect much. I had quite a few docs do this and the lesson I learned is that most doctors don’t realize how little pull they have outside of the hospital.

 

[futurexray]

If they are active alums at the school you are applying to it may carry more weight especially if they are big donors and can threaten to pull their money if you don't get in. It happens alot

 

[Calizboosted76]

So two have bestfriends that are the deans at a couple. Another one has a brother on the admissions council.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

We gave thousands to our alma mater and my son WOULD have been a double legacy, got the courtesy interview and wait list purgatory. He got in somewhere else, but dont let the school tell you how important alumni are and that your donation is appreciated. Good news is he got into a way cheaper school and I dont have to donate to alma mater anymore.

 

[thumbz]

I used to get drinks back when I lived in AZ with one of our ADCOMs - I texted him when a friend wanted to get into DO school. It didn't make up for his subpar MCAT, but it made a connection for him with the ADCOM who gave him some personalized advice on what to work on to get into their school. That's my n=1