Do universities contact our recommenders?

[speed]

do universities or fellowship sponsors ever contact our recommenders?

[Strangefox]

do universities or fellowship sponsors ever contact our recommenders?

I am sure they do.

How can you know for sure? I think you should ask professors

[repatriate]

I know that this happens in my field. The large conference in my discipline is in late January every year, so it is the ideal format for side conversations about applicants. I know that my master's advisor, X, discussed my applications with several of the faculty to whom I had applied (X knew them already, though) at the conference last year. And when I sent out "feeler" emails, it wasn't uncommon for faculty to put in their reply a note to "tell X I say hi"--even when I didn't mention X.

Edited November 14, 2010 by repatriate

[eklavya]

I know that this happens in my field. The large conference in my discipline is in late January every year, so it is the ideal format for side conversations about applicants. I know that my master's advisor, X, discussed my applications with several of the faculty to whom I had applied (X knew them already, though) at the conference last year. And when I sent out "feeler" emails, it wasn't uncommon for faculty to put in their reply a note to "tell X I say hi"--even when I didn't mention X.

this is indeed a terrific idea. i'll be attending a huge conference in my field in mid january, and i know for sure that few of the many faculty i wish to work with will be there. it'd be ultra to make my advisor grease up my app credentials and slip it into the minds of those faculty.

[rising_star]

The university likely will not do so however individual professors may contact individual recommenders that they know or have worked with before.

[BlueRose]

This happens, particularly if someone is interested in you and knows someone you've worked with. Not just the references you give them, either. Last year my boss got a phone call from his friend at My Top Choice U...which took him by surprise, because he didn't know I was applying. (Oops. And no, I didn't get in. But I didn't get fired!)

[modernity]

The university likely will not do so however individual professors may contact individual recommenders that they know or have worked with before.

This.

[Strangefox]

...Does that mean it is very very unlikely that universities will contact professors from other countries - non-English-speaking countries, I mean?

[modernity]

...Does that mean it is very very unlikely that universities will contact professors from other countries - non-English-speaking countries, I mean?

Not necessarily - I have profs that regularly attend out of country conferences, and have a great deal of overseas contacts. And the opposite is possible as well - that overseas professors attend US conferences. Less likely perhaps, but not necessarily very unlikely. Also because of it being non-English, and needing to verify information and crossover calculations bc of any possible unfamiliarity- it might be possible that they would contact the institution.

[katerific]

Just to echo what others have been saying: About two months ago I went to go see one of my LOR writers about something. Then randomly, he informs me that he was at some sort of event that past weekend, and a professor that I'm applying to work with was there. He straight up told me that they talked about me (and even gave me a hint of a juicy detail!). So yes, individual professors will talk to other professors, especially if they know each other (this is a guarantee in my field).

[natsteel]

Just to echo what others have been saying: About two months ago I went to go see one of my LOR writers about something. Then randomly, he informs me that he was at some sort of event that past weekend, and a professor that I'm applying to work with was there. He straight up told me that they talked about me (and even gave me a hint of a juicy detail!). So yes, individual professors will talk to other professors, especially if they know each other (this is a guarantee in my field).

I've had that very same thing happen with two of my mentor/referees and I am in a Humanities field.

[Tall Chai Latte]

When I went around investigating rotation possibilities this past semester, one of the profs I talked to actually contacted my LOR writer (my ex-boss). I thought that was a little strange, given I already matriculated. I don't know if other profs sent emails to my LOR writers or not....