Using connections to DO late in cycle

[kcola]

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I've been getting waitlisted to schools I've been applying to DO. I just learned that my immediate family is good friends with admissions/dean of a school i didnt apply to. Its Jan now, should I apply now and see if he can help me or will that not matter? my stats are average.+

 

[Lijia4]

I've been getting waitlisted to schools I've been applying to DO. I just learned that my immediate family is good friends with admissions/dean of a school i didnt apply to. Its Jan now, should I apply now and see if he can help me or will that not matter? my stats are average.+

To be honest....its a bit tacky to approach someone now just for the sake of name dropping or hoping this person will fight for you this late in the game. Networking and building a meaningful relationship with someone takes time. It will be obvious that this school is your "last minute-last chance pick"--he will realize that. I'm assuming since you didn't realize this person's position sooner that you don't have a solid relationship with him to begin with so he probably doesn't know much about you.

Now, this isn't to say you shouldn't make contact---by all means, do. Fire away whatever questions you may have and pick his brain about osteopathic medicine, the application process, his school, etc---but don't just blatantly try to use his position to gain acceptance to a school you didn't even bother to apply to. If you don't gain acceptance to the schools you actually want (applied to) then you can still see if he'd be willing to sit down and go over your application with you, talk medicine, etc since he's a good family friend.

 

[fiznat]

An additional LOR or a phone call can go a long way at this point in the season, especially at schools that have chosen to put you on the wait list. I personally know people who were invited to interview off of the wait list after a well placed phone call or email.

That said, I think starting a fresh application at a school you haven't applied to at this point is in poor taste. I know it sucks, but my advice is to wait and see how this application season goes, and if things don't work out apply next year using whatever resources you can muster. Don't burn your resource this year. I think it will be ineffective and possibly harmful to your cause.

 

[Tekar]

I've been getting waitlisted to schools I've been applying to DO. I just learned that my immediate family is good friends with admissions/dean of a school i didnt apply to. Its Jan now, should I apply now and see if he can help me or will that not matter? my stats are average.+

No harm in trying. The worst they can say is no.

 

[kcola]

ok thanks all! i think ill wait til next year!