Should I call them?

[neuronotes]

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Hi, so I applied this season and finished most of my interviews. I was wondering how second looks normally work. I would like to go to my top 2 or 3 programs for one, but I do not know what to do:
Do they normally contact you at a certain time for second looks? Should I wait for them to contact me?
Do applicants contact the programs? What should I say in the email to the program coordinator?
(I would mainly want to round with a team or have some other type of interaction with the residents)

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[maddog2020]

Only my opinion here. I believe you would have to call and say "I'd like to come around again and attend rounds one day and meet Dr. XYZ that I missed on interview day". Second look visits tend to be loose and informal. You will have to ask for what you want. Programs may indicate that they welcome a second visit, but I doubt there will be a formal invite.

 

[typhoonegator]

I would not wait around for them to contact you. Most programs will not seek you out for a second look. In fact, I don't know of any that does, but they are all happy to have you come back if you want to. Many programs are explicit that they will not use the presence or absence of a second look in considering your application, and from personal experience with the "other side" I can say that this is true. So my point is, don't do it to try to score points, do it because you really want more information or a better "vibe" of the program.

I would just email the program coordinator and tell him/her what you would like to do. You want to round with the team in the morning? Meet with a faculty member you missed but would like to talk to about research or specific clinical opportunities? See more of the hospital and attend noon conference/grand rounds/morning report? They will have no difficulty lining these things up, so just be clear what you would like.

And when you come, try to keep it as observational as possible. Doing a second look to try to show off your neuro-chops will definitely only hurt you.