Hi all,

I am struggling between two of my top choices and am considering doing a second look.

The first question I have concerns whether it's too late to set up a second look in the second week of February. bviously this would still be before the 27th deadline, but in terms of protocol, would requesting a second look at this point get strange looks from program coordinators?

The second question about second looks: Those of you who did a second look, did you feel it was worth the added time/effort/$$? Did you glean additional information that helped to significantly change your decision?

Thanks very much for your help.

The first question I have concerns whether it's too late to set up a second look in the second week of February. bviously this would still be before the 27th deadline, but in terms of protocol, would requesting a second look at this point get strange looks from program coordinators?

The second question about second looks: Those of you who did a second look, did you feel it was worth the added time/effort/$$? Did you glean additional information that helped to significantly change your decision?

Thanks very much for your help.

Well, I'm not sure if it would be too late in the 2nd week of February. Every program is different, some have selection committees that meet every week, or every other week, etc. and that may or may not affect where they place you on the rank list. Ideally, it wouldn't be too late, since it is before the 27th, but I've heard that some programs actually have their list pretty much done after their interviews end. Maybe a PD has more insight?

I just finished 3 second looks myself, and I am SOOOOO glad I did. I had a mish-mosh of about 5 programs that I couldn't really rank but I knew they were my top choices. So I picked 3 to go to and here's what happened for me:

- My first choice program that I thought I was in love with, a community program-univ. affiliated, allowed me to round with the team. No pimping, residents were nice, but the attendings were very stuck up and overall I didn't get as good of a vibe as I had originally from my interview day. The Asst PD came right out and said she hoped she would see my name on their Match list, but now I'm pretty sure I'm ranking it in the middle.

- Another top program of mine, community-univ. affiliated, had me round with the team, people were nice, etc. etc. But then on rounds NONE of the residents or students were answering any of the (fairly easy) questions the attending was asking. She kept looking at me so I felt obligated to chime in every now and then! Which was fine, but the residents just didn't seem that into it. Which could have been due to a number of things, ie. being tired, distracted, etc. Overall a nice place, but I'm a huge nerd and I want a place where everyone is psyched about medicine. PD is wonderful, though, and even gave me feedback on my interview (all positives, which was nice to hear) and said he hoped I would end up there.

- By my final second look, I was wondering if any of this was making a difference. I still didn't really have a #1. But at the end of the day there, at this time a univ. program, I was really in LOVE. To the point where, if I don't match there, I'll probably be pretty upset. Everyone was so welcoming, patient population was EXTREMELY interesting, and all the residents were gung-ho medicine! PD was thrilled that I came back, said she wanted me there and that she could see me be Chief there someday! Overall, the best fit for me.

So in a nutshell, I picked what I thought were my top choices after interviews and dove right in to see what they were really about when they weren't "on" and trying to sell me the program. I got to see the interns on a typical day and whether they were frazzled/handling it well/slacking. I also got a feel as to where my personality would fit in best, which is the most important factor to me as opposed to prestige of the program, fellowship possibilities, etc. I got a lot out of it and ranking will be much easier now. Definitely worth it - but if prestige of the program or more objective stuff matters more to you, it might be a huge waste of time.

Hope this helps!