Characterizing Second Look Behaviors and Attitudes of Pediatric Residency Applicants

We sought to explore participation in and experience of in-person Second Look visits by categorical pediatrics applicants across demographic groups.

We surveyed applicants to a large pediatrics residency program using multiple choice, sliding scale, and Likert scale questions. We calculated descriptive statistics and compared results across groups using t tests and Fisher's exact tests.

Among 536 respondents (34.2% response rate), 190 (35.4%) attended at least one Second Look. Applicants from low socioeconomic status (SES) shouldered higher costs and were more likely to meet with a selection committee member (36.4% vs 17.9%, P < .01). Applicants from groups underrepresented in medicine (UIM) and low SES background were more likely to agree or strongly agree that they would have attended more Second Looks had programs offered UIM-based (UIM: 66.7% vs non-UIM: 19.1%) or need-based (low SES: 70.1% vs nonlow SES: 42.1%) funding. Overall, most applicants agreed or strongly agreed that need-based funding (63.6%) or UIM-based funding (62.7%) would increase equity in the Match.

Pediatric applicants continue to pursue Second Looks despite guidelines discouraging programs from hosting them. Targeted funding for Second Looks is perceived by applicants to improve equity in selection. Perceived disproportionate benefit of Second Looks to minoritized and financially disadvantaged applicants should be explored in future studies.