WIll I look stupid/desperate/bad for doing this?

[yanks26dmb]

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I initially posted this on MD forum by mistake. This pertains to a DO school, and frankly, I especially value the opinions of the posters here in the DO forum, so I'm reposting this....

I have a family friend who is a big time CEO and very politically active. He is friends with a former congressperson happens to be CEO of a school I am applying. He has encouraged me to email this person directly, introducing myself, and dropping his name. I've never sent an email like this before, and frankly have never had any "connections" like this in the past, so I guess I'm not sure if this is normal/how it will be perceived.

I confirmed he thought I should email and he said enthusiastically, YES - _____ is very approachable. If he were going to do it for me, I'd think he would have offered...so what do you think, should I email this CEO and drop his name?

 

[UBC2014]

I initially posted this on MD forum by mistake. This pertains to a DO school, and frankly, I especially value the opinions of the posters here in the DO forum, so I'm reposting this....

I have a family friend who is a big time CEO and very politically active. He is friends with a former congressperson happens to be CEO of a school I am applying. He has encouraged me to email this person directly, introducing myself, and dropping his name. I've never sent an email like this before, and frankly have never had any "connections" like this in the past, so I guess I'm not sure if this is normal/how it will be perceived.

I confirmed he thought I should email and he said enthusiastically, YES - _____ is very approachable. If he were going to do it for me, I'd think he would have offered...so what do you think, should I email this CEO and drop his name?

How desperate are you? Likely all that will do is get you an interview. From their it is the ADCOM that decides acceptances, and the CEO hols no power.

 

[nontrad78]

You should really look into some of the policies regarding contacting school officials. I think there are some places that strictly prohibit any kind of activity such as this while the student's application is under review. Your numbers are already really strong for almost all schools. I'm not sure there are more positive outcomes than negative outcomes here.

 

[yanks26dmb]

How desperate are you? Likely all that will do is get you an interview. From their it is the ADCOM that decides acceptances, and the CEO hols no power.

I've got a 30 MCAT, a 3.9 post bacc, 3.5 s, and 3.3 c. I feel like I'm a good candidate, but nothing is guaranteed in this game, so if I can lock in an interview...I guess I'm thinking why not? But again, I've never done this sort of thing before so wanted to ask around first.

 

[nontrad78]

I've got a 30 MCAT, a 3.9 post bacc, 3.5 s, and 3.3 c. I feel like I'm a good candidate, but nothing is guaranteed in this game, so if I can lock in an interview...I guess I'm thinking why not? But again, I've never done this sort of thing before so wanted to ask around first.

If I were you, I wouldn't do this at all.

Seems like the outcomes are limited to the following:
1. CEO receives your communication very positively, pulls strings (because that's what he'd be doing) for you to get an interview (maybe more)
2. CEO receives your communication positively, but politely wishes you the best of luck with the application process
3. CEO receives your communication slightly negatively, has his feathers ruffled, thinks maybe you're trying to have him pull strings for you
4. CEO receives your communication very negatively, interprets your contact as unethical, passes this on to ADCOM

This may be an oversimplification, but essentially above is a good breakdown of most of the possible results.
Now, go through and try to put a probability on each. That might help you in your decision.

 

[yanks26dmb]

If I were you, I wouldn't do this at all.

Seems like the outcomes are limited to the following:
1. CEO receives your communication very positively, pulls strings (because that's what he'd be doing) for you to get an interview (maybe more)
2. CEO receives your communication positively, but politely wishes you the best of luck with the application process
3. CEO receives your communication slightly negatively, has his feathers ruffled, thinks maybe you're trying to have him pull strings for you
4. CEO receives your communication very negatively, interprets your contact as unethical, passes this on to ADCOM

This may be an oversimplification, but essentially above is a good breakdown of most of the possible results.
Now, go through and try to put a probability on each. That might help you in your decision.

Yeah, fair enough. I'd be shocked if the family friend (also CEO) didn't consider this as well. He's a very smart guy, has good sense, and seems to know this school CEO well. I tend to think it falls into 1 or 2....but who knows....

 

[UBC2014]

I've got a 30 MCAT, a 3.9 post bacc, 3.5 s, and 3.3 c. I feel like I'm a good candidate, but nothing is guaranteed in this game, so if I can lock in an interview...I guess I'm thinking why not? But again, I've never done this sort of thing before so wanted to ask around first.

Your numbers are already strong, so let them speak for themselves. Most of the battle getting an interview is a numbers game, so you are fine.

 

[nontrad78]

Yeah, fair enough. I'd be shocked if the family friend (also CEO) didn't consider this as well. He's a very smart guy, has good sense, and seems to know this school CEO well. I tend to think it falls into 1 or 2....but who knows....

Maybe. There is still a risk, because it's not directly from school CEO. Guess you have to decide whether the risk of the negative is worth the payoff of the positive.

 

[nontrad78]

Furthermore, if this guy sticks his neck out for you, under what obligation are you to attend that school (in his mind)?

 

[yanks26dmb]

Furthermore, if this guy sticks his neck out for you, under what obligation are you to attend that school (in his mind)?

Thing is this school is probably my #1. I'd love to attend...maybe that's why I'm overthinking this so badly.

 

[nontrad78]

Thing is this school is probably my #1. I'd love to attend...maybe that's why I'm overthinking this so badly.

I appreciate your dilemma. I would just say that you've worked pretty hard to potentially jeopardize things. I'd be willing to bet that your chances of getting an interview without contacting CEO are about the same as probability that he'd get you one. And there's no risk.

 

[iWillOneDay]

I'd be more proud of myself and humbled by not using connection and getting into a medical school. But that could be just me saying this because I don't have any connections.

 

[nontrad78]

I'd be more proud of myself and humbled by not using connection and getting into a medical school. But that could be just me saying this because I don't have any connections.

I was about to add that all of the discussion thus far has not even touched on the satisfaction of getting in on merit.
EDIT: based on your numbers, you've got merit

 

[nontrad78]

One last thing:
Using a connection such as this could be very helpful, but only prior to the application season to get an insight on what type of candidate the school is looking for, or to make an impression on whoever you're meeting with. This way, it isn't obvious that you're asking the person to do something for you, that they wouldn't do for anyone else, it's just that you got the meeting.
Once your application has been submitted, you no longer have the option of asking those questions. An innocent request for a meeting becomes much more transparent for what it really is.

 

[the13fools]

In things like this, I find that it is less awkward to have your cousin be the one that sends the first email, instead of you trying to reach out cold (if reaching out is something that you want to do)

 

[WalSlave]

I'm honestly all for networking. Sometimes you've got to work it a little to get your foot in the door. However, if your cousin is such great friends with this guy, your cousin should really be the one to mention you rather than you just randomly sending an email (IMO).

I do have to disagree with everyone who is saying the CEO will potentially freak out and be deeply offended. That's ridiculous. At worst he might roll his eyes and think you're a try-hard, but come on, he's a CEO of a very successful school. He's not going to be offended by you attempting to network if you do it tactfully. I guarantee he didn't land that gig on on his "stats" alone.

 

[kkosp2451]

I'm honestly all for networking. Sometimes you've got to work it a little to get your foot in the door. However, if your cousin is such great friends with this guy, your cousin should really be the one to mention you rather than you just randomly sending an email (IMO).

I do have to disagree with everyone who is saying the CEO will potentially freak out and be deeply offended. That's ridiculous. At worst he might roll his eyes and think you're a try-hard, but come on, he's a CEO of a very successful school. He's not going to be offended by you attempting to network if you do it tactfully. I guarantee he didn't land that gig on on his "stats" alone.

Totally agree with this. Any chance your friend can introduce you to the CEO?

I'm pretty sure a CEO has a lot more to do then spend time being offended by an email. The only reason I say not to email him is because there's a chance it may get lost in all the emails the CEO gets each day. If he met you in person, I think you would stand out a lot more than an email that may get lost in the masses.

 

[hallowmann]

If you like the school (i.e. it's really high on your list) send the email. Like other people said it'll get you an ii, you'll have to do the rest.

 

[PlasticBag]

I wouldn't do it, especially that you seem to have a fair chance at gaining acceptance based on your own merit. I don't think the CEO would be offended or would "report" you, etc., but it seems to me quite likely that you'll feel bad for contacting him... And then, supposing you get an interview, you will not be sure if it's due to some strings being pulled and whether your interviewers know this, etc. -- this might make you more stressed than necessary.

 

[tawnymarie]

I initially posted this on MD forum by mistake. This pertains to a DO school, and frankly, I especially value the opinions of the posters here in the DO forum, so I'm reposting this....

I have a family friend who is a big time CEO and very politically active. He is friends with a former congressperson happens to be CEO of a school I am applying. He has encouraged me to email this person directly, introducing myself, and dropping his name. I've never sent an email like this before, and frankly have never had any "connections" like this in the past, so I guess I'm not sure if this is normal/how it will be perceived.

I confirmed he thought I should email and he said enthusiastically, YES - _____ is very approachable. If he were going to do it for me, I'd think he would have offered...so what do you think, should I email this CEO and drop his name?

I'm not a huge fan of this...Kinda prefer to see people work their way into med school and not get the hand holding...The rest of us have to. Juuuuust an opinion though 🙂 Nothing personal. Regardless of what you decide to do...GOOD LUCK!

 

[WalSlave]

Some of you are in for a harsh reality check once you actually get into the work force... Especially that of health care.

 

[sundancing]

Some of you are in for a harsh reality check once you actually get into the work force... Especially that of health care.

For real though. Networking is key and everyone should learn how to do it. The research institution I am currently employed at is pretty much impossible to enter unless you know someone who knows someone or something like that.

 

[Uafl112]

if you wanted your name to get to the dude without seeming like you wanted him to pull strings, I would have your CEO friend introduce you to that CEO dude and then subtly bring it up

 

[costales]

It's not a guy. It's a famous former congresscritter from Nevada.

OP: Do it and see what happens.

 

[nontrad78]

Some of you are in for a harsh reality check once you actually get into the work force... Especially that of health care.

For real though. Networking is key and everyone should learn how to do it. The research institution I am currently employed at is pretty much impossible to enter unless you know someone who knows someone or something like that.

I've been in the workforce for over 15 years. Not all work is the same. Not all people are the same. Not all networking is the same.
I'm not opposed to networking, but this is not a situation where I personally would feel comfortable invoking a connection.

 

[GUH]

I would not do it. Your numbers are great and definitely competitive at any DO school. I'd be surprised if you didn't get a lot of acceptances assuming you apply soon and are at least a little bit capable of holding a conversation during the interview.
And just because your connection is friends with the CEO doesn't mean that he knows how the CEO interacts with medical school applicants. There is a lot of risk here.

Are you completely positive that your connection can't simply write you an awesome LOR? Maybe he could write it straight to the CEO if you want to avoid the official channel.