Big Booty Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 Hi folks, I'm applying to a fairly competitive program. I was lucky enough to get a fair chunk of interviews - enough that I feel fairly comfortable about matching - but I didn't get an invite to one of my top choice schools. Actually, I didn't get anything, because it is one of those schools that only contacts those they're interviewing. (But I know that the invites are out). I didn't do an elective at this program due to some weird scheduling quirks, and found out late in the cycle that this program is generally biased toward people who have done electives there. Maybe that's what did it? Long story long, is there any utility to emailing the Program Director (or program assistant) a quick "Hey I'm really interested in your program and would love to see it during an interview" email? I also have a few major research updates (3 publications submitted) I could throw in to make it a bit more subtle. I could phrase it as an application update. On the one hand, what do I have to lose? On the other hand, since this program doesn't outright decline anyone, maybe I would have gotten an invite sometime in the next couple weeks and the PD would be annoyed at boot me off the "wait list", or whatever. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Booty Posted December 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Chances are it won't do any good, but I don't think you'd do much harm. I might approach it by acknowledging that there are many applicants for the position, then saying you'd appreciate their consideration if an interview spot became available. Briefly explain that the program is appealing, and that, unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevented you from visiting for an elective. You could add a "For your reference, I have attached my CV, recently updated with several submissions for publication" kind of comment at the end. A long shot... probably? But stranger things have happened. I agree that it's probably 95% likely to have no effect. I'm sure there are the odd stories where it worked, but probably several times more where it didn't and maybe even a couple where it hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochi1543 Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Do it, a friend of mine did that and ended up matching to that program (it wasn't their first choice, but regardless). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Booty Posted December 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 If I'm going to go through with this, should I email the Program Director directly (scary) or the program assistant (risk of getting filtered out)? Maybe I should CC all of the Program Directors across the country, so the one at this school can see that I'm really committed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonto Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 I don't see why u wouldn't appeal. How could this harm u?? I know someone who appealed last year and got an interview.....didn't match there but still Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lactic Folly Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 Agree with the above advice. For future students reading this, if you have a sincere interest in a program, you might consider explaining that you were unable to do an elective due to scheduling conflicts upfront at the time of your application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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