When is it acceptable to contact schools about how you could improve your application?

[EthylMethylMan]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I've got three rejections so far and I'd like to email or call the schools at some point in regards to how I can improve my application. (i.e. Why did you reject me?) Would right now be a bad time seeing as we're in the middle of the interview season and admissions is probably pretty busy?

 

[justAstudent]

I would think sometime after the interview season is over because they're probably pretty busy right now like you said.

 

[BurberryDoc]

Early march at the earliest for some schools. May-June otherwise. It's a pretty small window.

 

[NickNaylor]

I would think sometime after the interview season is over because they're probably pretty busy right now like you said.

Agree with this, but even then don't necessarily expect to receive feedback. While it wouldn't take much effort for 1 person, keep in mind that offices interact with thousands of applicants each year. Many refuse these requests because they don't want to subject themselves to thousands of requests like this.

I'm not trying to beat you down, just saying that you may not receive much information in this regard no matter what you do.

 

[MedMinded]

Agree with this, but even then don't necessarily expect to receive feedback. While it wouldn't take much effort for 1 person, keep in mind that offices interact with thousands of applicants each year. Many refuse these requests because they don't want to subject themselves to thousands of requests like this.

I'm not trying to beat you down, just saying that you may not receive much information in this regard no matter what you do.

Agree with the above.

In all honesty, you're probably going to get better feedback here on the forums. Even if 1 person from the school did give you a response, that's still only 1 person giving his/her opinion. Compare that to the numerous people on SDN who have experience with the application process.

 

[gyngyn]

I would be surprised if you got answers this way, but if you live in a small state I suppose it's possible? Please let us know if you get any responses with this method.

 

[QuinnTheEskimo]

I've got three rejections so far and I'd like to email or call the schools at some point in regards to how I can improve my application. (i.e. Why did you reject me?) Would right now be a bad time seeing as we're in the middle of the interview season and admissions is probably pretty busy?

Are these pre or post-interview rejections? If pre interview, I'd say never. Post interview, maybe after the cycle is over.

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

I contacted each school where I interviewed and got rejected, and each one gave me specific feedback about why I was passed over and how to improve. After my rejections, I sent the admin offices an email asking about exit interviews, and they agreed, with the caveat that I contact them again in April/May to set it up. The people I spoke to ranged from the dean of admissions, to an office worker just reading me the reasons off my file. I learned some very specific reasons why I wasn't accepted- some were obvious, others were pretty surprising. No other advice you hear can compare to learning the real reason they said no- it won't hurt to ask.

 

[Goro]

Concur with after interview season, but I would NOT put it the way you asked. They don't give out advice. Ask for feedback on why you were rejected. There's a difference.

I've got three rejections so far and I'd like to email or call the schools at some point in regards to how I can improve my application. (i.e. Why did you reject me?) Would right now be a bad time seeing as we're in the middle of the interview season and admissions is probably pretty busy?