<p>My son received information regarding the "Second Looks" at the medical schools he was accepted to and unfortunately two are literally on the same day. (not to mention it conflicts with his senior presentations) He does feel stronger about one than the other, so he will attend that school's two days of activities, but it is tough, as from what we've read here, Second Looks can be very helpful in the decision making process. Fortunately at School B he did stay with a student host when he interviewed, was able to take a class, and participate in some neat activities, so he does have somewhat of an idea of what the school will be like. Still, it would have been nice to be able to take advantage of the second look opportunity.</p>
<p>Has this happened to other folks? Have you or your students been undecided? I know most are just thrilled to get an acceptance (as of course we are for our son). It seems like such a huge decision to make if you're accepted at more than one, especially pending final decisions at others, and of course any financial considerations. </p>
<p>Is it a bad thing not being able to go to a second look? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.</p>
<p>Thanks,
CCL</p>
<p>ps: the final waiting is brutal (for me, not my son...he is fine). Anyone else feeling that way? On a great note, a son of a friend of mine just got his first acceptance. Super excited for their family. Good luck to all those who are still waiting.</p>
<p>CCL, my daughter is running into the same thing. In addition, she is in a wedding one of the weekends she has more than one 2nd look. One wise veteran poster here told me to have her visit at another time if schedules conflicted. I think that would be fine, but not being able to meet other potential classmates would be the downside of that.</p>
<p>Congrats, the waiting is over.
Yes, my D. had to choose also. As most of her friends pre-meds choose one school, she choose to go to Second Look at another. Her choice was awesome as they were treated like royalty, including limos, 5-6 star hotel…she was impressed, it was nothing like another Second look that she had a chance to go on another date. Anyway, she has changed her mind because of additional information obtained during Second Look.
As difficult as decision might seem, they just have to choose their place for next 4 years and never look back. D’s decision at the end was very difficult to make and she was able to decide only after Second Look.</p>
<p>It’s only bad in the sense that if you are trying to make a decision it limits your ability to acquire additional experience. It is neither frowned upon or a problem socially if you end up attending without being at 2nd look. I didn’t go to any second looks actually.</p>
<p>Thanks, Miami and mmmcdowe. Good to know! I don’t think my son will be treated to any 5 Star Hotels, but the line up at one of the schools is really action packed it seems. Glad it won’t be a negative if he ends up attending one that he didn’t re-visit.
From what I’ve read, too, most do not look back once they decide and are generally very happy with the med schools they choose.</p>
<p>Another question: Do students end up in the area where they go to med school for life, or is residency more of a place where that might happen? No matter what, my boy may be very far away! I’ll miss him dearly! Plus I want to be able to make him dinner from time to time!! Oh well, no worries. He’s been away for four years now and we still manage to see him a half dozen times a year. (thank you Southwest Airlines) ;)</p>
<p>CONGRATS!!
Son knew he didn’t have the funds to do the official second looks so when he was there for interviews he treated it as his second look. If he was in the area for another interview (NYC, Philly) he did try to swing by for another look. If the school was close, driveable he did try to attend.</p>
<p>He already had his list after decisions came out and the only thing that changed up the list was money. He went with the one highest on his list for the least out-of-pocket.</p>
<p>Yes and no. A significant group does settle in the area, but neither residency nor medical school are going to stop someone from living elsewhere afterwards. It is more that people end up deciding to settle down because of factors like friends and spouses.</p>
<p>Thanks, Kat! Yes, a good problem to have and fortunately both are great schools, so it’s a matter of choosing. I am really glad that I encouraged my son to take advantage of the student hosts, which I would not have known about if I had not read so many good things here about it on the forum, so many thanks to all the advice over the past year.
mom2: Thanks!!
mmmcdowe: Makes sense. I remember reading about the topic somewhere here and couldn’t remember if folks said it was more medical school or the residencies that somehow seemed to cause roots to sprout in an area. Not that I’m thinking grandkids any time soon!! lol</p>
<p>Mine didn’t go to her second look at the school she attends while she did attend the second look at the school that finished second (close to home, cheap flight). Simply had taken too much time away from classes. Too much money had gone away, also. :(</p>
<p>Mine is waiting to see if admitted to top 2 choices in the next couple of weeks, and both are a bus ride away. That would be nice. :)</p>
<p>Read a funny thing on SDN tonight on a thread for one of the above schools, and it was said that a girl had showed up at revisit weekend that hadn’t even been admitted. She was simply trying to show interest! Pretty sure if you looked up Chutzpah in the dictionary her picture would be there.</p>
<p>D. did not apply to far away. It was her criteria #1 - 4.5 hrs of driving from home, she ended up 2 hrs away, closer than her UG. She is investigative type and never rely on anybody’s advice. It was extremely important for her to attend Second Look at as many places as possible. They are all different, the way one chooses will not be the other’s way. I hope she will have all her rotations and residency where she is now as opportunites are tremendous.</p>
<p>Curm: Ditto on the money and timing! It really is in the thick of things, but my son told me yesterday that he’s already working on making adjustments. One school wants him there by Thursday of the events beginnings, add travel to that, and it’s an extra day out of classes, etc. It’s also pretty exciting, too. If someone hears late, then the 2nd Looks are kind of moot, so it must all work out in the end whether you can make it or not.<br>
Miami: You’re lucky to have your daughter so close.
GA2012: Good luck! Too funny about the uninvited guest at the 2nd Look! Hope the next few weeks go very well for your daughter.<br>
mm: Okay, now you have me thinking about that offspring road! lol ;)</p>
Just reading this old post (fondly). Hope all of your kids are doing great! Boy, time flies. I’m back on CC a little bit for my youngest. Woot. PM me if you’re still around.
" Second Looks can be very helpful in the decision making process. Fortunately at School B he did stay with a student host when he interviewed"
-Both of these are helpful. Actually, one big reason that D. went to Second Look at both of her finalists was that she did not stay with the student host at one, she stayed with her friend who was at UG at that point. In your case, your S. will have to rely on his impression from interview at one school and he still can go to another for Second Look. D’s opinion flipped after Second Look at both, but I bet she would be happy at either. And both happen to be strong in specialty that she finally selected, both had several local Residency programs for her specialty.
I would say, if absolutely cannot decide, flip the coin. Just make decision and never look back. Best wishes!!
