This was a message sent by
the postbacc leadership to their listserv members. It’s well
written and so I thought others would benefit from this as well!
WORKING WITH THE PRE-HEALTH OFFICE: “HELP
THEM HELP YOU”
Everyone with
whom you interact is subject to be a witness for and against you. So be nice.
Very nice! Appreciative! Respectful! Courteous! all that. This goes for not
only your professors and advisors, but all administrative, secretarial and
other staff. Every interaction you have on this campus has the potential to
make its way into your committee letter – good AND bad.
Occasionally,
some students carry themselves in an entitled, demanding, rude manner, adopting
an “I pay tuition, therefore life should be as I say it is”
attitude. Not going to fly. Unfortunately, there has often been an over-representatation
of this behavior in the post-bacc population. It is up to this class of
post-baccs to turn it all around, to improve how we are received on campus. Our
reputation has implications for many things; registration policies, special
exemptions granted, a future certificate program, and even opening the
door to some programs (discount MCAT courses, special admissions panels)
now reserved for undergraduates.
You’ll
learn the difference between diligent follow-up and entitled pushiness. But
here’s the take-home point: BE NICE. Be the caring, considerate
healthcare provider-type that you’re going to ultimately request that
these folks endorse that you are.