second looks

[jimj82]

---

Members don't see this ad.

so i liked one of the places i interviewed at (top 3 or 4) but the 2 interviewers i had and all the residents i talked to couldnt give me any real info on ID opportunities other than generic replies. would it be ok to go for a second look and specifically mention to the program coordinator that i'd like to speak to the program director or this associate program director who's in ID about what I can expect in ID? thanks

 

[GILumen]

so i liked one of the places i interviewed at (top 3 or 4) but the 2 interviewers i had and all the residents i talked to couldnt give me any real info on ID opportunities other than generic replies. would it be ok to go for a second look and specifically mention to the program coordinator that i'd like to speak to the program director or this associate program director who's in ID about what I can expect in ID? thanks

I think that's an absolutely reasonable request.

 

[gutonc]

so i liked one of the places i interviewed at (top 3 or 4) but the 2 interviewers i had and all the residents i talked to couldnt give me any real info on ID opportunities other than generic replies. would it be ok to go for a second look and specifically mention to the program coordinator that i'd like to speak to the program director or this associate program director who's in ID about what I can expect in ID? thanks

Absolutely. I spent about half of my 2nd look days speaking to sub-specialty specific clinicians and researchers.

 

[jimj82]

wow thanks for the quick replies. But what exactly goes on in a second look? do you just wander around pretty much alone or do they put you with a team for the day or a little of both or something else?

 

[GILumen]

I was invited for a second look and explicitly asked if there was someone/something in particular I wanted to meet/do.

I rounded with a general medicine team, attended morning report (I think), rounded with the GI consult team/attending, went on a tour of the GI endoscopy suite and saw some procedures being done, and then just walked around to some of the places where residents would be working (resident work room, clinic, etc). I was accompanied by one of the chief residents.

I attended noon conference and had lunch.

In the afternoon, I met the Chair of the Dept of Medicine, the program director, the GI fellowship program director, and some other faculty member.

They sure did cater to the fact that I was interested in GI and tried to assure me that I'd have no problem matching into GI if I attended their program. I ended up not ranking their program number one, but they sure did make that decision hard for me.

I would expect that you should have some questions and specific requests about how you would like your day to go. If not, then interview day was enough and why are you going?

Good luck!

 

[gutonc]

wow thanks for the quick replies. But what exactly goes on in a second look? do you just wander around pretty much alone or do they put you with a team for the day or a little of both or something else?

Yes.

I rounded (one place on the wards, one place in the MICU), met with faculty (almost all research) and had lunch with 1-3 residents. No interaction with the PD at either place on the 2nd look which is how it should be.

 

[GILumen]

Yes.

I rounded (one place on the wards, one place in the MICU), met with faculty (almost all research) and had lunch with 1-3 residents. No interaction with the PD at either place on the 2nd look which is how it should be.

I agree. If you don't want to meet with the PD, chair, etc because you don't want to feel like you are being interviewed again, you should not ask. You should feel comfortable at a second look and control the day.

 

[jimj82]

thanks for all the info. yeah i dont want a second interview; i just thought the PD might be able to give me more info about ID. i didnt know you could talk to specific departments.

do i schedule the 2nd look with the pd or the prog coordinator? i've heard the pd doesnt answer back. and do i just say id like to come for a second look and would like to talk to ID and attend a formal didactic session +/- rounds?

also does it matter i wasnt invited for a second look? i have another interview in the area later and thought i should stop by and get my questions answered and also maybe attend morning report or noon conference since we didnt have an opportunity to see either during the actual interview day for some reason.

thanks for all the help!

 

[GILumen]

I was invited for a second look, so I can't really comment on how you would go about setting one up for yourself. I can't imagine the PD wants to coordinate this for you though. The program coordinator may be able to tell you if they offer second looks and how best to arrange one.

 

[gutonc]

thanks for all the info. yeah i dont want a second interview; i just thought the PD might be able to give me more info about ID. i didnt know you could talk to specific departments.

do i schedule the 2nd look with the pd or the prog coordinator? i've heard the pd doesnt answer back. and do i just say id like to come for a second look and would like to talk to ID and attend a formal didactic session +/- rounds?

also does it matter i wasnt invited for a second look? i have another interview in the area later and thought i should stop by and get my questions answered and also maybe attend morning report or noon conference since we didnt have an opportunity to see either during the actual interview day for some reason.

thanks for all the help!

Contact the PC to schedule a 2nd look, don't bother the PD. If the program has their shizzle together, they should ask YOU what you want to do on your 2nd look. And no it doesn't matter that they didn't invite you. Most programs don't invite people for 2nd looks.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Just so you know, anyone who schedules a second look at our program who will rank highly on our list meets with me at the end. So, you might meet with the PD -- depends on the program -- but in that case they are likely meeting with you to try to convince you to come, not to weed you out.

 

[Scaredshizzles]

Just so you know, anyone who schedules a second look at our program who will rank highly on our list meets with me at the end. So, you might meet with the PD -- depends on the program -- but in that case they are likely meeting with you to try to convince you to come, not to weed you out.

Hey aprogram director, how many spots down on your list do you have to go, to fill how many spots? Is the 5 to 6 ranks per filled spot accurate?

 

[intmed3]

What do people normally wear to second looks? Do I need to get out my suit again or should I wear something professional but not my interview suit?

Thanks!

 

[mauvespice]

What do people normally wear to second looks? Do I need to get out my suit again or should I wear something professional but not my interview suit?

Thanks!

Hey intmed3, I had the same question. I did a search on SDN and this is what I found. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=473094&highlight=second+visits
So I guess shirt and tie for men, a nice formal shirt for women just like what you might wear on a normal clinic day. I guess they would expect us to get our lab coat too?

 

[tarlovcyst]

I'd like to give my speel on second looks, as I tell other med students this.

Second looks are mainly for the applicant to confirm their interest in a program. If an applicant is going on a 2nd look mainly to try to impress the PD, then the second look is for the wrong reason. This is for most places. Places like MGH and UCSF gets many many applicants that come back for a second look. You think the PD is going to rank you a little higher, even though everyone who got interviewed at these top programs are stellar candidates?

However, some PDs encourage second looks, and I think this is where it is advantageous for the applicant to go. At some programs, going for a second look lets the PD know that you are serious about the place and that they are somewhere at the top of your rank list. It may not move you up any higher on the rank list at the time, but it certainly will help the PD remember you or help your case for why that place is your #1. Just say you did a second look, and then the PD or faculty member at your school called for you. They can then make an even stronger case as to why they are your #1. This is where the second look can help you.

The second look can work both ways, but most times, works only one way. It varies per institution and try to find out if it does matter.

 

[Hassler]

Hey intmed3, I had the same question. I did a search on SDN and this is what I found. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=473094&highlight=second+visits
So I guess shirt and tie for men, a nice formal shirt for women just like what you might wear on a normal clinic day. I guess they would expect us to get our lab coat too?

So, just to be sure. Shirt and tie with white coat, but no suit?

 

[gutonc]

So, just to be sure. Shirt and tie with white coat, but no suit?

Wear what you would wear on rounds and you'll be fine. If you're going to Mayo, you should probably wear a suit.

 

[mauvespice]

So, just to be sure. Shirt and tie with white coat, but no suit?

Yup 🙂 And that way you feel a part of the team too. Everyone cares about whether you are having a good time, getting a good feel of their routine and have your questions answered while keeping you company. Its pretty non-chalant.

 

[Cdn11]

What's the consensus on when 2nd looks are scheduled? End of january? beginning february?
Also, I know this has been discussed countless times, but if many applicants schedule 2nd looks at their "top choice", then would not going play against you?

 

[Frugal Traveler]

For the majority of cases, if you are undecided, then it is a good idea to take a second look.

As for scheduling, some programs send out formal "second look" dates. Most programs should simply be contacted in order to schedule a second look.

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/