Occupation:Student

Great! Thanks everyone!

For some reason the quote option isn't working. RaganSmash, I thought the same but when I mentioned that to someone in my lab they made it seem like I'd come off as difficult. Still don't think so myself, as you said, it seems like a slam dunk, just wanted to make sure others were on the same page as me! As far as mrmolecularbiology's issue with Madison, I'd say it all depends on where you stand financially. If you've never been, you're guaranteed to be impressed. UW-Madison is a great school, the town is gorgeous, and Wisconsinites are so genuine. If its a top choice and you have the funds, go for it! If they reject you afterwards, then at least you tried.

Hi, everyone! As a new user on this website/forum, I attempted posting last night but apparently it didn't go through until today, after a grad cafe moderator could read it over to make sure it wasn't spam. Unfortunately, after accepted, it was posted at the original time of submission, several pages back. I was hoping to get some advice from all of you wonderful people on a predicament of mine: I was recently contacted for an interview at one of my top choice programs (yay!). In the email, they told me where I'd be staying and for how long, but then mentioned that I'd be reimbursed for mileage ($.555/mi). This school is nearly 600 miles away, so while I could theoretically drive, it will cost them around $600 rountrip and cost me quite a bit of time. Not to mention, flights there are about $250, saving them money and me time/miles on my car. I'm not sure why I wasn't offered a flight...perhaps they thought I was closer? Whatever the case, would it be appropriate to email them and make this "argument" to them? I don't want to seem difficult, though. I could just tell them the mileage and get reimbursed, but I feel like that is so wrong. I'm in the midst of finishing up my MS bench work and writing my thesis (along with teaching and taking seminars/journal clubs), so the extra two days for driving really isn't an option. Thoughts?

Hi, everyone! I found this thread a couple of days ago and am posting for the first time. First, congrats to everyone on their exciting interviews in great programs! Second, I was wondering if I may pose a question to everyone on here: I was recently contacted for an interview at one of my top choice programs (yay!). In the email, they told me where I'd be staying and for how long, but then mentioned that I'd be reimbursed for mileage ($.555/mi). This school is nearly 600 miles away, so while I could theoretically drive, it will cost them around $600 rountrip and cost me quite a bit of time. Not to mention, flights there are about $250, saving them money and me time/miles on my car. I'm not sure why I wasn't offered a flight...perhaps they thought I was closer? Whatever the case, would it be appropriate to email them and make this "argument" to them? I don't want to seem difficult, though. I could just tell them the mileage and get reimbursed, but I feel like that is so wrong. I'm in the midst of finishing up my MS bench work and writing my thesis (along with teaching and taking seminars/journal clubs), so the extra two days for driving really aren't an option. Thoughts?