How to best communicate that I cannot go to on-campus interview?

[merlinyx]

Hi everyone! I want to ask for help on this situation:

Currently I'm admitted to several programs and they all invited me to go to their visit days. Program A invited me to do an on-campus interview and then will make the decision. Their visit is right after another visit from school B, and I can't fly there in time, so program A coordinator offered to change it to one week earlier. But today I just got notified by another program C and their visit days are in that same week. I would rather go to the visit of C that has admitted me, but my POI at school A said in email that he really wants to meet me.

I would love to visit school A and meet my POI, but I think the chance that I would attend A is low. And I don't want to miss any more schoolwork as there are already a couple of visits on weekdays. But my concern is that I don't know if directly turning down the interview will leave a bad impression and would make future collaboration less likely. One of my recommenders has collaboration with my POI at school A and I think that's why he is willing to interview me. To clarify, I don't think this will affect their relationship, but I don't know if this affects my academic career (?) as my POI and I apparently have common interests. 

How should I phrase that I cannot go to the interview and will likely not join the program? Sorry I don't know if I'm thinking too much about this and I really appreciate any help! 

Edited February 9, 2019 by merlinyx

[lovekilledinos]

Be gracious! If you know for sure you aren't going to attend program A, let them know. Thank your POI for their interest and explain that after some consideration you will not be attending their program, but you hope to maintain contact for whatever reason you might want them in your back pocket. 

[merlinyx]

12 hours ago, lovekilledinos said:

Be gracious! If you know for sure you aren't going to attend program A, let them know. Thank your POI for their interest and explain that after some consideration you will not be attending their program, but you hope to maintain contact for whatever reason you might want them in your back pocket. 

Thank you very much! I think I'll do that! 

[merlinyx]

Ok this thread is kind of similar and helpful!