Whom to contact if rejected?

[zbombvt]

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I was wondering who people contact if they get rejected from schools to see why they didn't get in. I was thinking contact the professor you mentioned as a mentor/corresponded with? Any other suggestions if that doesn't work?

Thanks.

 

[Ratch1980]

I was wondering who people contact if they get rejected from schools to see why they didn't get in. I was thinking contact the professor you mentioned as a mentor/corresponded with? Any other suggestions if that doesn't work?

Thanks.

Last year, I sent a brief email to each professors with whom I wanted to work to find out why I wasn't accepted and what I could do to strengthen my application for next year. I also made sure that they were aware of my continued interest in working with them and in attending their program. Then, when I re-applied, I sent a follow-up email letting them know what I had done to strengthen my application.

 

[JatPenn]

Last year, I sent a brief email to each professors with whom I wanted to work to find out why I wasn't accepted and what I could do to strengthen my application for next year. I also made sure that they were aware of my continued interest in working with them and in attending their program. Then, when I re-applied, I sent a follow-up email letting them know what I had done to strengthen my application.

Hmm. Back when I applied I was advised to avoid doing this, as typically there are too many rejections for professors to handle on an indvidual level. Did you get helpful replies using this method?

 

[Ratch1980]

Hmm. Back when I applied I was advised to avoid doing this, as typically there are too many rejections for professors to handle on an indvidual level. Did you get helpful replies using this method?

Some professors didn't respond, but most did, and they were very helpful and encouraging.

 

[clinpsychgirl]

Some professors didn't respond, but most did, and they were very helpful and encouraging.

I think that sounds like a great idea, particularly if the applicant has had personal contact with that professor throughout the process (i.e. emails of interest, personal interview). Although I'm *hoping* not to have to go through the application process again, I have still contacted the professors where it didn't work out (that I felt comfortable contacting) and asked them how I could improve my application and interview technique. So far, the response that has been generated was positive and encouraging, as Ratch1980 experienced.

 

[zbombvt]

I like the advice so far, and wanted to chime in that I think it is definitely beneficial to contact the professors. If you are planning to reapply, you NEED to know why you didn't get in the first time around. Otherwise, why bother to reapply.

Also, I can understand the concern some people might have that the professor could be flooded with responses, but I feel that it is the obligation of the school to provide you with some feedback considering the investment you made (both time and money) in applying to their school. In some cases where the professor might not be the best person to contact, I would bet that the professesor themselves would then just not reply or they will forward your e-mail. I can't imagine a professor would hold a grudge, especially when all you are asking is how you could improve your application.

That said, do people find it is benefical to contact the program coordinator? That is, if there is one. I think that would be the later resource if the professor did not respond.

Thanks.

 

[2nd-time-app]

I did this and it was quite helpful. I contacted the prof I most wanted to work with, who happened also to be the director of clinical training. While she hadn't even read my file herself (not sure how this happens, considering I put her name down on my application), she read over the comments made by the review committee and then gave me suggestions based on those comments. She was very quick to respond, and very nice about it all. But I'm sure it varies from person to person.