2nd looks?

[nyeyes]

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I have heard that doing 2nd looks at ur top choices is a good idea. Does anybody know what a 2nd look is, how u go about scheduling it, and it what it entails? Has anyone done one as of yet? finally, if ur top choice is a place where u have already done an elective is a 2nd look overkill?

 

[ecf1975do]

you posed a good question....hopefully well get alot of responses from those who went thru the match last year...

 

[Big Lebowski]

I did a two second looks last year....yes, they are a good idea.

One program had me come back on a day when they offered didactic lectures. I pretty much spent the morning on the ward with some of the residents and the afternoon in their lectures. At the end of the day the PD and I sat and talked about things (very laid back).

At the other program; there was a dinner at the PD's house the night before. The next day, he took myself and another applicant around the city site-seeing....lots of fun, but didn't learn much more about the program.

So there you have it....2 pretty different experiences.

Hope that helps.

 

[frank the tank]

Are second looks offered to you by the programs, or do you have to request them?

 

[Big Lebowski]

Most places offered them (some called or sent e-mail).

One program called to touch base and I mentioned a second look to them...they immediately invited me to come out.

Out of 10 programs I applied to, about 6 contacted me about a second look.

 

[Hop Toad]

Geez! This is really depressing. I do not have the time, inclination, or $$$ for the 1st look for every program I have heard from!

 

[jazz]

you can do a second look anywhere. some places will say things like "well, if you're really interested, you should consider coming for a second look". those lines are killers b/c it makes you feel like you have to. i'm not sure if you do.

i did several second looks -- one at a place i was highly interested in and interviewed at early (nov), one was at a place that i wanted to rank highly but had a so so feeling after the interview, and one was a place that i liked but than found out things on the second look that made me place it lower.

if you've rotated at a place, you DON'T need to do a second look. a second look is an opportunity to get an idea of how things normally run (outside of the sometimes artificial and staged interview day). it's a chance to remind the programs of your interest (especially if you interviewed early on). however, if you've rotated they know you and you should know about them.

the second look is laid back but i know of some people who actually "blow" the second look. one person showed up in jeans and used her cell phone multiple times during a 1-2 hour stay.

i don't know about other fields but in EM, a second look usually entails dropping by the er for a few hours and talking to the residents. it gives you a good feel. if possible, try to do this in feb (i know -- just when you're sick of doing all the BS that goes with interviewing) and before the programs rank you (it's hard to know exactly when any program finalizes their rank list).

i personally wouldn't travel far for a second look (especailly if it entails flying and lots of $$$ which most of us don't have) but others may have differing opinions

 

[CuriousDoc]

For those who have gone on second looks, do you think it increases a program of ranking you higher and increasing your chances of matching at their program?

 

[GCS:3]

Originally posted by jazz

if you've rotated at a place, you DON'T need to do a second look.

I don't know if that's true. Things might come up on the interview trail that you don't think to ask on a rotation. I'll probably go back to a program I rotated at to clear up a few things and see more of the hospital. I could always drop the PD a line, but hey, if you're going to be in town for another interview/family visit/whatever, I'd say it's worth dropping in.

 

[rfs]

hi everyone. i just went on an interview yesterday and the program director brought up the 2nd look. their policy is for the applicant to contact them and arrange something, they do not invite people. so don't be afraid to contact a program that you interviewed at earlier in the season to ask for a 2nd look--that sounds completely appropriate. good luck everyone!