Second Looks

[DrWuStar]

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How important are second looks from the programs' point of view?

My #1 program is very competitive, but I already did a visiting rotation there and feel like I have a good handle on the program and know it's my #1. I don't really feel like *I* need to take a second look at it.

My next few favorites range from medium- to very competitive. In a perfect world, I would like to check them out a little further, but it would be pretty expensive and hard to schedule. Do you think it would help my chances of matching at one of them by showing that I'm really interested? Do you think it would help enough to be worth the expense and inconvenience? Or would a letter of strong interest be almost as good?

 

[psychattending]

Writing a letter to your number one school and telling them how interested in them you are would accomplish just as much as a second interview, be cheaper for you, and save everybody some time. Letting a program know that they are #1 on your list can't hurt you. If anything, it will increase your chances of getting in. I would tell only your #1 program since PDs talk to each other.

 

[DebDynamite]

Yeah, I think a second look should be because you are not sure which program to rank #1, not to try and impress them. Otherwise you can simply let them know. I think the problem with telling a program blatantly that they are your #1 is that IF they don't feel the same way, and they do in fact talk to your #2 etc- you get the short end of the stick.

 

[redapple123]

Do you guys mean that the PD's in all psychiatry programs are connected and discuss their applicants before ranking them ?

What if the program A hasn't asked you about the other places you interviewed. How can they still find out ?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Do you guys mean that the PD's in all psychiatry programs are connected and discuss their applicants before ranking them ?

What if the program A hasn't asked you about the other places you interviewed. How can they still find out ?

This is purely applicants' paranoia. We have no time to go traipsing around to compare notes with other programs about specific applicants and their second looks/post-interview communications/etc. You can ask/tell us as much or as little about the other programs you're seeing--we won't care.

A second look is for your benefit. If you need to see the place(s) again to make up your mind, or to meet specific faculty that weren't available for your interview day, do so.
If you don't it will not be taken as a lack of interest.

Send a short thank you note to your interviewers if you want, but do it because your mom taught you to be polite. I'm not keeping score--my eval's already turned in and we won't be going over them again until our ranking meeting in February.

 

[DebDynamite]

Not sure what psychattending is specifically implying, but if you think about it, it just makes sense to be honest but not so revealing that you shoot down your chances with any of them. It's like dating, in the old fashioned "courting" type of way. You the applicant are the "girl" and you want to keep all of your options open. Sometimes the "boys" do indeed talk. So- make yourself desired by all whom you might desire.

I have FOUR number 1's in my head right now and there is no way I'm telling any of them outright that they are my #1, since I might change my mind tomorrow. That's why we have another month to make up our minds.

But if you think about the way the match works, the programs are are going to make their ideal list of candidates up and hope for the best return. If you are absolutely certain of your #1 choice, you can tell them so with or without saying it directly. This will possibly effect slightly where they rank you, but I doubt it will drastically change their opinion of you. The icing on the cake is surely the issue of: does applicant X WANT to be here? They want us less if we are lukewarm about being there. SO, make it known that you would be very very happy to be there. That is what I am doing.

 

[rednucleus]

To the Original Poster:

I was a chief resident and was involved in ranking residents for the Match. I remember that letters and even second looks really didn't mean all that much. If a candidate wanted a second look we had no problem; if a candidate was unable to come for second look it was very understandable as everyone in medicine knows how busy schedules can be. If someone had a second look too soon before the meeting to make the rankings I don't think anyone would remember. Possibly sending a strong letter right before the ranking meeting might leave your name and interest fresh in some faculty's mind. Ultimately, my program really relied on the notes that were written from the actual interviews. It can really make a difference if a strong faculty member absolutely wants you to come as they will fight for you during the meetings. Also, having even one faculty member really disliking you can hurt a candidate. Therefore it is important to do fairly well with all of your interviews. And then there is pure luck. I remember that several faculty members were unable to make the ranking meeting because of weather and I'm sure if they were there some of the rankings would have been different. Best of luck. You seem like your really strong and will end up in a great program.

 

[TheWowEffect]

I think second looks can help in some cases. If you are a strong candidate and express interest in second look, PDs look at it as a positive that you are seriously interested and will respond in kind while ranking you. I have seen it happen in front of my own eyes.

On the other hand, if you are an average or below average applicant, it may not make much of a difference.

 

[psycho1]

How should getting a second look be arranged. Do you have the program ask or should the applicant call and ask about having one? Also how many programs do these regularly?

 

[cleareyedguy]

Everything matters. If you appear bored during a second look or annoy the secretary, that hurts. If you are well liked by residents at lunch, that helps. If you write a note extolling our virtues, that could help. If you don't write a note or return a phone call, that could hurt. If you tell us we are your number 1, that could help--but don't lie (ie, it's fine to say we're among your top 2 or 3 and that you haven't decided yet; we also know what it means when you say we're among the top).

We want the "best" applicants, but many of our applicants are very good, and we also want enthusiasm and a good fit.