Blah123

Is it bad taste to stay with a friend on Thursday and/or Friday night of interview weekend? Or try to get lunch or coffee with a friend at some point before or after interview day? I know a lot of schools have their interview day on a Friday. They often suggest you fly in on Thursday evening and have interviews/meetings all day on Friday and maybe a lab dinner in the evening. And many schools have you stay with grad students. I'm concerned that not staying with one of the grad students might send a wrong message. Specifically, my concern is that the school might think I'm using the visit (that they are paying for) to hang out with my friends. And I don't want to seem unappreciative. Also - I realize that staying with a current grad student is a way for them to get to know you better and shed some light on the admissions process. So would not plan to miss any of the activities they have planned - including getting drinks after the interview with other prospective students and grad students (which I've heard is sometimes common). On the other hand, I also feel like a slight burden on the grad student who, despite what they might say, would probably prefer not to have to drive back and forth to the airport and have some random stranger staying on their couch. My first priority is obviously the interview and, currently, I'm not planning on seeing my friend at all -- but I'm just curious what you guys think about this. Specifically, I'd love to hear from anyone who's been involved in hosting prospective students.