<p>I come from a good state school with an excellent science program. I work for a professor who is chair of our department. I want to apply for a PhD in the same department in a famous school. Incidentally, my professor was a postdoc in the lab of the school's department chair. Should I ask my professor to call the chair/admissions committee in addition to writing me a letter of recommendation? Will that help me? Thanks!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t ask the prof to call - make sure he/she knows where you are applying and if he/she wants to call/make contact, they will (let it be their idea). The admissions committee will likely recognize the name of your PI if they worked with people at the school before (which is a good thing).</p>
<p>I agree with LAC operon - and if this professor really believes in you, he will make the call without your request.</p>
<p>You have no idea your professor’s standing with his or her old department. If the department wants to know more about your qualifications and values your professor’s opinions, it will reach out to him or her.</p>