4th Years and Program Directors

[ukdoc74]

---

Members don't see this ad.

When is the latest one can do a second look for it to count? And when do programs generally meet for the very last Rank Order List? 1st week in Feb, 2nd week in Feb, Last week in Feb etc.

 

[EM Junkie]

When is the latest one can do a second look for it to count? And when do programs generally meet for the very last Rank Order List? 1st week in Feb, 2nd week in Feb, Last week in Feb etc.

Actually, many even meet the last week in January. The rank list deadline this year for programs and applicants was February 22, but they usually have their list set in stone several weeks before that.

 

[kbrown]

I did a second look the first week of Feb. I don't have a clue if they had submitted their ROL's then or not. Rule of thumb (and BKN has said this too), 2nd looks are for you not the program. Because you are not insured, you don't work, you just observe for awhile, then maybe chat with a couple faculty, PD, residents, etc...It is really to give YOU an idea about whether or not you dig the place, not vice versa.

My advice just be sure to get your second look in before you submit your ROL. I did three-second looks and two of them moved a program from #2 and #3 to # 5 and #6, respectively. I did not like my 2nd looks at all and was glad that I did them.

Just a random piece of advice that you didn't solicit. Many applicants will rank places based on how highly they feel that the program is going to rank them. WRONGO. You base you ROL on how you feel about the program. Example that comes up a lot in conversation: "I really LOVE Indiana, but they will never take me. They interview a million people and I know that I am competitive but, really, this program has their pick of the litter. So even though I REALLY want to go there, I won't rank them number one, I'll never get in." Instead this applicant ranks program X #1, that they liked, but feel like they have a better shot at.

Contrary to popular belief, the match does work for you, so putting that dream program #1 does not in any way ruin your chances of getting in at the other programs. It's simple, if they 1) didn't rank you, 2) ranked you but not high enough to match you, then the computer will just continue to go down your ROL and find tne next program that has ranked you, and this continues until they have a match, hence match day. Many people have been surprised that they did match at their dream program.

BOTTOM LINE: 1. no matter what field you go into, second looks are for you not the PD. While it's true that it might give them another look at your personality, it certainly won't let them see "is he/she skilled, smart, talented, hardworking enough to train here?" 2. don't rank programs based on how many "we really would like to see you here in July" or "we are going to rank you very highly" or "I think that you would be a great fit in our hospital/town". They say that to everyone they rank.

 

[thos]

I agree that there's very little a PD will learn about you during your second look (unless you really act like an idiot). I was also told, repeatedly, that the second look has no bearing on the program's decision and is for the applicant's benefit. But I do wonder if there's some advantage in certain situations. A few colleagues were told that programs in one part of the country don't interview many (or any) applicants from another part because historically they don't rank programs outside of their home territory. In this case, I can imagine that a second look would show a real interest in the program. Of course I guess that once someone interviews any geographical bias should be off the table.

 

[NoSz]

I was actually told by one PD (neurology) that they will rank me highly only if I come back for a second look. That did not make a lot of sense to me especially since I had already flewn over from coast to coast just to interview with them and thereby shown at least some interest, but the PD clearly stated "We will know what you think about us if you come for a second look. "

I was not able to arrange a second look, but still ranked them third and would have been happy to go there. I got my first wish and will never know whether a second look would have changed anything.

Good luck!

 

[Hurricane]

I went back for second visits pretty late. At the program I matched at, I came back Feb 17th, which was the Friday before the ROLs were due. Like others have said, the second visit is to help you make your decision, not the other way around. I interviewed at a lot of places, then took my husband back with me to my top 2.

As far as when they meet, I think they meet several times before they come up with the final ROL, because I got emails in december that said things like "the committee met this week and has decided to rank you highly blah blah"

 

[14022]

I was actually told by one PD (neurology) that they will rank me highly only if I come back for a second look.

I would have told this PD I will rank them highly only if they pay for me to do a second look. That is ridiculous and clearly shows what a bag of douche that PD is. And a neurologist, eh? Must have his bow tie tied too tight.

 

[gutonc]

I did my 2 2nd looks in early Feb. At one of them (my eventual #1 rank and where I matched), I didn't even see the PD on the second look days (I was there for two). They tend to be set up and organized by Chief Residents (at least in medicine) or program administrators, not the PD. At the other 2nd look I did I only ran into the PD at grand rounds. Do a 2nd look for you, not for the program.

BE

 

[docmd2010]

hey guys, i'm gonna be a first year next year and just have some questions about the match process. i guess my basic question is that, who has the upper hand in the match process? i.e. if my #1 program ranks me number 2, yet my #2 program ranks me #1, which one would i get? how does this general process work? thanks!

 

[ShambhalaRed]

hey guys, i'm gonna be a first year next year and just have some questions about the match process. i guess my basic question is that, who has the upper hand in the match process? i.e. if my #1 program ranks me number 2, yet my #2 program ranks me #1, which one would i get? how does this general process work? thanks!

Please refer to www.nrmp.org. There is a very thorough explanation of the match algorithm and strategy from the applicant's perspective there.