Second look visits

[luckyducky87]

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Does anyone know what typically happens at these second look visits and if they are usually informative in making a final decision on where to attend? Is the turnout usually good enough that you feel like you do meet your "potential future classmates"? Lastly, is this another trip 100% at our own expense, or does the school provide travel expenses now that they are trying to recruit us? 🙂

 

[ps9891]

I asked several students about this while on my interview trail. It seemed like most students already had a good idea of where they wanted to go by the time they attended second look, or were deciding between only two or three options. They didn't seem to think the second look weekend really influenced their decision too much - it was mostly other factors they'd already known/considered before. I don't know the answers to the last two questions, but I hope this tidbit was somewhat helpful. Also, I'm an MD/PhD applicant and spoke with mostly MD/PhD students, but I think it'd probably be similar for MD students.

 

[thlaxer]

Not sure if this is true for all schools but the ones I've heard from so far don't pay for the plane ticket there, though food and housing (with students) is provided during the weekend.

 

[SortaBigDeal]

Schools vary on how much they are willing to chip in. I think the norm at most schools is that you pay to get yourself there, and they pay for meals (and probably find you a student to stay with). One school I went to paid for hotel and food plus half of my travel expenses up to a certain amount.

I'd say to definitely go to a couple if you aren't sure where you want to go. They're good for helping you learn more about the school, and also you will meet a plenty of people who are 100% sure they are attending.

 

[obgyny]

I asked several students about this while on my interview trail. It seemed like most students already had a good idea of where they wanted to go by the time they attended second look, or were deciding between only two or three options. They didn't seem to think the second look weekend really influenced their decision too much - it was mostly other factors they'd already known/considered before. I don't know the answers to the last two questions, but I hope this tidbit was somewhat helpful. Also, I'm an MD/PhD applicant and spoke with mostly MD/PhD students, but I think it'd probably be similar for MD students.

This. Most of the people I met at my second look day ended up being my classmates. Since I lived 15 min away from the school, I went (even though I knew for sure I was going here). The day was from 8-5 and they provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and they went all out). It's a chance to meet potential future classmates, learn more about the school, check out housing, etc. We got a tour of the main hospital (which we didn't get to see on interview day), got to play around with laproscopy, ultrasound, and equipment in the simulation center. It was fun, I highly recommend going to the school(s) you're seriously considering if you can afford it. Obviously the activities will vary depending on the school.

 

[Narie]

This. Most of the people I met at my second look day ended up being my classmates. Since I lived 15 min away from the school, I went (even though I knew for sure I was going here). The day was from 8-5 and they provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and they went all out). It's a chance to meet potential future classmates, learn more about the school, check out housing, etc. We got a tour of the main hospital (which we didn't get to see on interview day), got to play around with laproscopy, ultrasound, and equipment in the simulation center. It was fun, I highly recommend going to the school(s) you're seriously considering if you can afford it. Obviously the activities will vary depending on the school.

Hello!

When-about do schools typically schedule second-look visits? And what school are you attending right now?

Do you feel like you got a better sense of the student body and what going there would be like with this full-day extravaganza? 🙂

 

[NickNaylor]

Hello!

When-about do schools typically schedule second-look visits? And what school are you attending right now?

Do you feel like you got a better sense of the student body and what going there would be like with this full-day extravaganza? 🙂

Most revisits will occur in March and April.

You should go if you're seriously considering a school, but keep in mind that revisits are an opportunity for the school to show off its best side, so to speak. That doesn't mean that they aren't useless, but they will wine and dine you, so don't get sucked in by that aspect of it. For this reason I don't think you get a sense of what "being a student would be like" unless you speak to many students about their experience. I think the real value lies in having the opportunity to speak with students again with the wisdom of having seen (presumably) multiple schools. You're now aware of some of the differences between them and may have a feel for your own preferences. If you know you're attending a school for sure, then the revisit is an opportunity to find a roommate and/or check out housing options and have some fun.

Be wary of choosing a school based on the other prospective students that are there. There's a pretty good chance that they won't be there at the start of classes since many people attend multiple revisits to make a final decision.

(sent from my phone)

 

[bigdogrob4284]

Do people bring their spouses to these second look weekends? I was hoping to bring my wife with me so she can see the area.

 

[NickNaylor]

Do people bring their spouses to these second look weekends? I was hoping to bring my wife with me so she can see the area.

It would certainly be appropriate. It would probably be strange to bring them to the actual revisit events that are school-focused since they wouldn't apply to her, but you can always e-mail the admissions office at a school when it gets closer to revisit time to see if she can attend any/all of the events.

 

[eefen]

Do people bring their spouses to these second look weekends? I was hoping to bring my wife with me so she can see the area.

At least for Loyola, we were encouraged to bring our spouses/significant others. I'll be attending their second look in April, and will definitely bring my wife.

 

[Ismet]

Do people bring their spouses to these second look weekends? I was hoping to bring my wife with me so she can see the area.

Some second looks welcome and encourage spouses/SO's/family members to attend and even have talks geared towards the SO while the student is learning about the school. You can always bring your SO to the evening activities and to explore the area on your own over the weekend, even if they aren't exactly invited to attend the daytime activities.

 

[NickNaylor]

Some second looks welcome and encourage spouses/SO's/family members to attend and even have talks geared towards the SO while the student is learning about the school. You can always bring your SO to the evening activities and to explore the area on your own over the weekend, even if they aren't exactly invited to attend the daytime activities.

That's a good point; I forgot that Pritzker does the same thing (basically SO "break out" sessions when the students have to do school-specific stuff) since it wasn't an issue for me.