How to decide which Second Looks to attend?

[cactusinmyhead]

---

Members do not see this ad.

If schools have overlapping second looks, how are you guys planning to decide which to attend? Are you choosing to visit the schools you liked best, or the schools you got weird impressions of? Unfortunately the 4 schools I'm interested in have double booked two weekends so I have to choose which two to go to. (But also, thank god I don't have to buy 4 plane tickets lol)

 

[idontknowwhatnametopick]

If schools have overlapping second looks, how are you guys planning to decide which to attend? Are you choosing to visit the schools you liked best, or the schools you got weird impressions of? Unfortunately the 4 schools I'm interested in have double booked two weekends so I have to choose which two to go to. (But also, thank god I don't have to buy 4 plane tickets lol)

If I was as fortunate as you are (congrats), I would go to schools I'm most likely to attend, because I want to meet people who likely will be my classmates. And also because finding a place to live is much easier when you can physically check the place out, so you can try and find a place that same weekend.

 

[cactusinmyhead]

If I was as fortunate as you are (congrats), I would go to schools I'm most likely to attend, because I want to meet people who likely will be my classmates. And also because finding a place to live is much easier when you can physically check the place out, so you can try and find a place that same weekend.

Oh that's a really good point about housing. I hadn't thought of that!! Thanks 🙂 It's just hard to decide which schools I'm most interested in without revisiting...

 

[idontknowwhatnametopick]

Oh that's a really good point about housing. I hadn't thought of that!! Thanks 🙂 It's just hard to decide which schools I'm most interested in without revisiting...

Well then that's a bit more difficult :s
Did you already rank based on location/how much you liked the school on interview day/cost of attendance?
I guess in my case the rankings (as in my favorites, not the USNWR rankings) are pretty clear cut so if I get into another school, I'll know whether I want to go there or go to my current acceptance.

 

[gyngyn]

Oh that's a really good point about housing. I hadn't thought of that!! Thanks 🙂 It's just hard to decide which schools I'm most interested in without revisiting...

I'm so glad to see this as your challenge for the cycle! What a difference a year makes.
Remember to post in re-applicants to let us know your thoughts.

 

[nwts]

I ended up with the same issue as I somehow have three on the same day. I am going to one of the two that I have the strongest interest in, but it is the one of those two that I am less familiar with the area, so I figured it would be nice to see the town again.

 

[cactusinmyhead]

I'm so glad to see this as your challenge for the cycle! What a difference a year makes.
Remember to post in re-applicants to let us know your thoughts.

Thank you!!! It's a complete turn around from last year!! Very thankful for the good advice I got from you and others on SDN. I'm planning on writing something in re-applicant section about my experience 🙂

 

[whatever5]

Well you have to decide what's important to you in a school and where you want to spend the next 4 years, then go to the two you are most interested in and see where you feel you fit in better.

 

[justadream]

Don't a lot of people split the weekend?

As in, go to one second look for one day and go to the other second look for the second day.

 

[tantacles]

If I were you, I would try to narrow down your list to 2 you would attend and try to go to those second looks. If you're able to decide on a school without going to one of them, I would skip it - going to the second look is not intrinsically important, and if going will cost you money, just save it if you don't have to.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Look at each school carefully, think about what you already know about each school. Only go to the second looks at schools you feel that could sway your decision one way or the other

 

[sharkbyte]

Do schools cover any costs for second look? Apologies if this is a stupid question, just curious...

 

[christmasindr]

If schools have overlapping second looks, how are you guys planning to decide which to attend? Are you choosing to visit the schools you liked best, or the schools you got weird impressions of? Unfortunately the 4 schools I'm interested in have double booked two weekends so I have to choose which two to go to. (But also, thank god I don't have to buy 4 plane tickets lol)

Based on various factors, such as student body, interview impression, location, financial aid, etc, you should be able to narrow down to 2-3 schools. Then, you can decide from there where to do the second look. If there's a conflict, you can try contacting the admissions to see if you can do a "personalized visit" (e.g. shadowing a med student, an appointment with a faculty or financial aid, etc). Personalized visit can sometimes be more illuminating since it should tell you what day-to-day look like in that particular school.

 

[christmasindr]

Do schools cover any costs for second look? Apologies if this is a stupid question, just curious...

Usually not, but sometimes they do offer student hosts to help you save hotel money.

 

[HybridEarth]

If it's not financially feasible to attend any but you can't make a decision where to matriculate at, is it worth dishing out hundreds of bucks to visit the various programs? I feel lost and can see myself attending any school I was accepted at... I know it's a "good problem" to have but honestly it's eating away at me

 

[cactusinmyhead]

If it's not financially feasible to attend any but you can't make a decision where to matriculate at, is it worth dishing out hundreds of bucks to visit the various programs? I feel lost and can see myself attending any school I was accepted at... I know it's a "good problem" to have but honestly it's eating away at me

I think if money is tight and you think you can make a decision without re-visiting, then it may be a waste of money. I can't really afford to go to two second looks per se, but I cannot imagine making a decision without re-visiting. I think the most important thing to me is "fit" which can't be determined without physically being there. Other wise I wouldn't spend the time/money