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Thanks.
Visiting the Director of Admissions
- Thread starter hamhamfan
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I'm confused, why are your parents visiting a Dir. of Admissions at a school without you and when you aren't applying? Do they already know this person socially?
If you are interested in this school, I would definitely take the opportunity to put your face in front of the Director of Admissions. It shows that you are interested. If only your parents go, she might wonder why you aren't involved.
Dress like it's an interview and be prepared to talk directly to her, instead of letting your parents run the show. (as parents sometimes want to do!)
Theresa
If you are interested in this school, I would definitely take the opportunity to put your face in front of the Director of Admissions. It shows that you are interested. If only your parents go, she might wonder why you aren't involved.
Dress like it's an interview and be prepared to talk directly to her, instead of letting your parents run the show. (as parents sometimes want to do!)
Theresa
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i agree! if you could meet the director of admissions in a normal social environment - use it to your benefit! i'm sure the director would be delighted to meet you, and you should put your best foot forward. people would kill for a great connection like that! just go, be yourself, and express your interest. it cannot hurt! good luck
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I agree that it would be a exellent idea to meet this person, it is a great opportunity to tactfully show your good qualities to someone on an addcom and increase your chances of admissions. Just try to get some sort of gameplan together w/ your parents, because the situation will be very important to your interests as well as being a part of your parents social life.
As far as dressing like it is an interview, ask your parents about this to get a feel for the situation. You may come off like you are trying too hard to impress her and what you say may be less believable like you are just saying things to impress her as well. It may be better just to dress "nicely" and use it as an opportunity to show your more casual side.
As far as dressing like it is an interview, ask your parents about this to get a feel for the situation. You may come off like you are trying too hard to impress her and what you say may be less believable like you are just saying things to impress her as well. It may be better just to dress "nicely" and use it as an opportunity to show your more casual side.
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You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. My best friend's mother-in-law works at a medical school (would rather not say which one) and I was able to meet with the director of admissions when I was an UG with a not so great transcript and ok MCATs. (It also helped that I was the one that introduced my best friend to his wife).
I have been in contact with her since 1996. I send her an e-mail twice a year to ask for advise and to let her know that I am still interested. She laid out for me the steps I should take to make myself incredibly competitive to get into her school and any other school that I want. The reason she is helping me, she saw that I was an EMT for a very long time and that I truly have a desire to go into medicine to paraphrase her words.
She was the one that suggested I get a Masters degree and re-take the MCATs and actually apply ( I never applied because I just KNEW I would not get in). She has been guiding me since day one. I never kissed her ass and the letters that I write to her are written in a way that shows my progress and not brown-nosing her. I look forward to the day I write to her and tell her to expect my application.
Just do it. Don't brown-nose, but discuss the idea with the admissions director frankly and that you want to pick their brain. They will see that you are truly serious. Besides, getting into medical school is a competition and you always want to do something that will make you stand out. A face to a name ALWAYS stands out in a crowded file of new applicants.
I have been in contact with her since 1996. I send her an e-mail twice a year to ask for advise and to let her know that I am still interested. She laid out for me the steps I should take to make myself incredibly competitive to get into her school and any other school that I want. The reason she is helping me, she saw that I was an EMT for a very long time and that I truly have a desire to go into medicine to paraphrase her words.
She was the one that suggested I get a Masters degree and re-take the MCATs and actually apply ( I never applied because I just KNEW I would not get in). She has been guiding me since day one. I never kissed her ass and the letters that I write to her are written in a way that shows my progress and not brown-nosing her. I look forward to the day I write to her and tell her to expect my application.
Just do it. Don't brown-nose, but discuss the idea with the admissions director frankly and that you want to pick their brain. They will see that you are truly serious. Besides, getting into medical school is a competition and you always want to do something that will make you stand out. A face to a name ALWAYS stands out in a crowded file of new applicants.
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What an awesome opportunity.
Most of us have to apply, pay outrageous application fees, fill out essays, just to have some crappy faculty interviewer that hasn't read our essays report to the director of admissions at some podunk medical school.
... anyways... Yes! it is an excellent opportunity, and you would be less of a person to not take advantage of this moment. 😛
Most of us have to apply, pay outrageous application fees, fill out essays, just to have some crappy faculty interviewer that hasn't read our essays report to the director of admissions at some podunk medical school.
... anyways... Yes! it is an excellent opportunity, and you would be less of a person to not take advantage of this moment. 😛
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sounds like a good opportunity, you should go! but remember that no matter what, your grades and mcat and other stuff (ec's, essays, etc) will matter. the director could help, but not work miracles.
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Let us know how it goes. Be yourself and she'll LOVE you! Seriously, BE YOURSELF! Crack a joke, if your good at that. Put a face and personality to the name and application she'll be coming across. Good Luck, little one 🙂
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What school is this? She sounds ******ed for treating you like that! If it's so 'crazy', why is she the freaking director of admissions!?! Weird. Anyways, keep in touch with her and ask her to look over your stuff when the time comes to see if it is up to par wth what she's looking for. By the way - what school is this??
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She was very jovial about it all. She mentioned the word "crazy" because medical school is very difficult. But still...
I'd rather not mention the name of the school....it is a California school though.
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Wait, which school was it again? I think I know that lady! Oh, I thought she was mean and rude by saying are you crazy. You should have mentioned she said it in a jovial manner. That would have brightened up the tone!! What school was this at?
ham's not going to mention the school and I wouldn't either if I was him/ her.
And to ham, I had a similar encounter with an admissions "friend" and she was quick to lose interest in our conversation when she learned my grades/ MCAT did match the average at her school. I then rationalized that she was not my pre-med advisor and that she was also not pursuing a career in medicine, so I shrugged off her indifference and applied elsewhere.
Before I applied this year I scheduled regular interviews with admissions directors (yes, some will do this) with the intention of learning more about their schools. I then followed up and visited the schools once or twice more, essentially creating a relationship which turned out to be beneficial after my interviews.
Knowing an admissions director through a friend is helpful but may not convey your genuine interest in their school or passion for medicine. My advice is that any director can become a professional acquaintance if you seek out and meet them on your own under the appropriate circumstances.
And to ham, I had a similar encounter with an admissions "friend" and she was quick to lose interest in our conversation when she learned my grades/ MCAT did match the average at her school. I then rationalized that she was not my pre-med advisor and that she was also not pursuing a career in medicine, so I shrugged off her indifference and applied elsewhere.
Before I applied this year I scheduled regular interviews with admissions directors (yes, some will do this) with the intention of learning more about their schools. I then followed up and visited the schools once or twice more, essentially creating a relationship which turned out to be beneficial after my interviews.
Knowing an admissions director through a friend is helpful but may not convey your genuine interest in their school or passion for medicine. My advice is that any director can become a professional acquaintance if you seek out and meet them on your own under the appropriate circumstances.
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Look, Director of Admissions wasn't born yesterday. She knows how to play politics, since Med School admissions is a very political process.
Obviously she realized why you were introduced to her. But she was there to have a good time, not being serious. She gave you some good joking advices (basically live a little - med school is hell). I hope you left a good impression, and that's all that matters.
The biggest challenge for applicants is not to get lost among 5000 applications. The idea behind your little conversation is to get past that. Hopefully your parents will be able to mention next year the fact that you have applied (either at the same party next year or before that), and she'll make sure that your app gets a careful consideration.
After that, it's a fair game.
Good luck, and don't take it too seriously.
Obviously she realized why you were introduced to her. But she was there to have a good time, not being serious. She gave you some good joking advices (basically live a little - med school is hell). I hope you left a good impression, and that's all that matters.
The biggest challenge for applicants is not to get lost among 5000 applications. The idea behind your little conversation is to get past that. Hopefully your parents will be able to mention next year the fact that you have applied (either at the same party next year or before that), and she'll make sure that your app gets a careful consideration.
After that, it's a fair game.
Good luck, and don't take it too seriously.
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