Ethical question about attending second looks

[PeripateticMD]

If you're pretty sure (lets say 90%) that you will be attending X medical school, is it unethical to go to Y's second look before you withdraw? Assuming both schools are flying you out and providing housing/food, etc for the second look, are you unethically wasting the money of the school that you're pretty sure you're not going to go to?

AND, if you're pretty set already, do you want to confuse things by looking again?

 

[NickRiviera]

The schools probably realize not everyone who comes to the 2nd look will attend. Why not just go? Questioning where you want to attend is just fine.

 

[TleilaxuMD]

They took your secondary money.....you take their second look money!

 

[PeripateticMD]

They took your secondary money.....you take their second look money!

Is it bad that this is the prevalent reason? I mean... we each have spent thousands interviewing and applying... why not a free little trip? But is that unfair to applicants who really want to look?

 

[JohnMadden]

It's not unfair to anyone (but it's not cool).

If you earned an acceptance, you have a right to go to the second look. Period.

 

[Krisss17]

Besides, you never know...you may become aware of something about this second school that you didn't know about but that you might really like. If it is not costing you anything but time, go for it. If anything, it'll solidify your decision to go to your #1 choice.

 

[TleilaxuMD]

Is it bad that this is the prevalent reason? I mean... we each have spent thousands interviewing and applying... why not a free little trip? But is that unfair to applicants who really want to look?

Unfair.....ha...I am going to do the same thing. If the applicant really wanted to go there then they should have

1. gotten better grades
2. gotten a better mcat
3. done more EC.

since they didnt they gave their spot to you, its their own fault.

We all deserve a little vacation.

 

[PeripateticMD]

It's not unfair to anyone (but it's not cool).

If you earned an acceptance, you have a right to go to the second look. Period.

I like your point... it's not unfair, but it's not cool... so I'd be being fair but uncool... hmmmm

PS: It seems i'll be running into you at a few second looks Madden.

 

[Wanna_B_Scutty]

It's not unfair to anyone (but it's not cool).

Yeah, I pretty much agree with this. On the list of "unethical" things you could do, this one's pretty tame. But at the same time, attending (and therefore taking the spot someone else could have) might not be the nicest thing you've ever done.

 

[GuzzyRon]

Don't be oversensitive. It's not unethical. Since you're not yet 100% sure you'd be attending the other school then it's OK for you to look at other schools and attend their second looks. You never know what they have waiting for you at the second look that will win you over.

Besides, they know you have other options that you might chose above them and that is why they're wooing you with a second look anyway. Now:

GO! There is nothing stopping you. (apologies to AirTran).

 

[notdeadyet]

But at the same time, attending (and therefore taking the spot someone else could have) might not be the nicest thing you've ever done.

I don't understand the logic here. Do schools who pay for travel to second looks have a set number of tickets they issue by lottery? If not, I don't see how attending/not attending the second look will have any impact on any other admitted student's chances of going.

By the way, where are these schools that pay for travel to second looks. I've hard Vandy mentioned but no others. Do lots of schools do this?

 

[Wanna_B_Scutty]

I don't understand the logic here. Do schools who pay for travel to second looks have a set number of tickets they issue by lottery?

Yes... or at least some do. I'm currently on the Waitlist for the 2nd Look at one of my schools. And the event is still 1 month away!

 

[njbmd]

If you're pretty sure (lets say 90%) that you will be attending X medical school, is it unethical to go to Y's second look before you withdraw? Assuming both schools are flying you out and providing housing/food, etc for the second look, are you unethically wasting the money of the school that you're pretty sure you're not going to go to?

AND, if you're pretty set already, do you want to confuse things by looking again?

The schools probably realize not everyone who comes to the 2nd look will attend. Why not just go? Questioning where you want to attend is just fine.

You are going to potentially spend thousands of dollars in tuition money at one of your prospective schools. Attending a "second-look" whether you pay or the school pays is just plain good sense. The more information you have, the better decision you can make.

Both medical schools where I serve on admissions committee, provide second look opportunities for students. I am quite surprised that students don't take more advantage of these especially if all they cost is time.

Bottom line: Get as much information as you can about your prospective schools.