Getting in a program

Hey Tenn

In a "fair" world i would be furious as well. However, this is common practice both in admissions and in real life jobs.

I guess the only thing i can say is that you have to use whatever resources you have to get what you want. If someone knows a person who went through the interview process or has friends on the admission board they act as a proxy reference. Is it fair, no is it OK sure.

What is worse is that the process works against a person as well. If someone on the interview board knows someone who dosen't like you, that too will weight to some degree, on admissions. Again not fair.

The only way to console yourself about it (or how i did anyway) is to apply to more than one place and remember that one or two people on an admission board dont make the whole decision.

Hey Tenn

In a "fair" world i would be furious as well. However, this is common practice both in admissions and in real life jobs.

I guess the only thing i can say is that you have to use whatever resources you have to get what you want. If someone knows a person who went through the interview process or has friends on the admission board they act as a proxy reference. Is it fair, no is it OK sure.

What is worse is that the process works against a person as well. If someone on the interview board knows someone who dosen't like you, that too will weight to some degree, on admissions. Again not fair.

The only way to console yourself about it (or how i did anyway) is to apply to more than one place and remember that one or two people on an admission board dont make the whole decision.

I realize you are right in that it can be a help or a hurt to "know" people on the admissions committee. I guess I just see it as being unfair because it seems like certain select people get an easy ride in when others work their butts off to acheive the goal. You give some very thoughtful advice, and it gives me a better perspective on the situation. Thanks.

TennRN2004

Having served on many admission committees, I can tell you that knowing someone on an interview committee does not guarentee acceptance. If there are 2 canditates equal in all other respects, the vote is more likely to be swayed for the known vs the unknown. However, candidates are still accepted according to their qualifications (GPA, experience, GRE scores, interview skills, recommendations etc). In my experience, a more qualified candidate would not lose a spot to a less qualified candidate just because of who they knew.

it is very discouraging when i here how hard it is to get in these programs.

When I went through the interview we were told not to disucuss the process so as not to taint their interview process. I took that on the honor system and did not discuss particulars. I wish you the best.

Brian

I would not concern myself with what someone else thinks as a edge that they may have. How does this person who once was on the comittee knows exactly what they are going to ask. Worrying about what someone else is doing will only hurt your preparation. If this person is not fit to be admitted do you really think any percieved edge will get this person in? Take pride in getting in on your on accord, but be aware that word of mouth and who knows who is a common business practice on many different fronts in life.