Issue: Two recruitment weekends, same date.

[NewEmpiric]

Hello!

I have an issue that I was hoping to get some advice on. I've been invited to two interview weekends, both are on the same weekend.

The first is at at WUStL, and I already told them yes.

The second is at UC Boulder, and I just received the email from my POI this morning.

I have to be honest... I'm more interested in Boulder (better fit with my interests) but I do hate to go back on my word that I'd be at WUStL's weekend (the Prof at WUStL was also really nice... again, I hate to go back on my word).

Any thoughts on how to handle this? What's protocol?

[socialpsych]

Hello!

I have an issue that I was hoping to get some advice on. I've been invited to two interview weekends, both are on the same weekend.

The first is at at WUStL, and I already told them yes.

The second is at UC Boulder, and I just received the email from my POI this morning.

I have to be honest... I'm more interested in Boulder (better fit with my interests) but I do hate to go back on my word that I'd be at WUStL's weekend (the Prof at WUStL was also really nice... again, I hate to go back on my word).

Any thoughts on how to handle this? What's protocol?

So, just to make sure, these are both interviews, i.e. you don't have an offer yet?

I would email Boulder and ask whether they have an alternate weekend. If they say no, ask WUStL the same question. If THAT doesn't work, then, depending on your level of interest in WUStL and whether you have any outside offers, pick one and tell them that you have a conflict and would love to interview at another time via phone or Skype if possible but will be unable to make it during the weekend. I do think it would look bad to WUStL if you went back on your word -- at least, it would signal that they are not at the top of your list, which probably makes it less likely that you will get an offer. If you can live with that, then go with Boulder.

PS congrats...good problem to have!

Edited January 24, 2011 by socialpsych

[juror#1]

So, just to make sure, these are both interviews, i.e. you don't have an offer yet?

I would email Boulder and ask whether they have an alternate weekend. If they say no, ask WUStL the same question. If THAT doesn't work, then, depending on your level of interest in WUStL and whether you have any outside offers, pick one and tell them that you have a conflict and would love to interview at another time via phone or Skype if possible but will be unable to make it during the weekend. I do think it would look bad to WUStL if you went back on your word -- at least, it would signal that they are not at the top of your list, which probably makes it less likely that you will get an offer. If you can live with that, then go with Boulder.

PS congrats...good problem to have!

I agree with everything that Socialpsych said.

I was also wondering if they are the exact same day that weekend? This is only a question because I had a similar problem last year with 3 interviews all on the same weekend, except they only shared one overlapping day a piece. If that is the case, say one is Thurs-Sat and the other is Fri-Sun, then you can ask if it is okay to arrive a bit late to the interview/leave a bit early. I know there are some differing opinions on this, but from my experience it was okay and they understood. If they are on the exact same days then, again, go with the advice you have already gotten. Good luck and congrats on the interviews!!

[NewEmpiric]

I agree with everything that Socialpsych said.

I was also wondering if they are the exact same day that weekend? This is only a question because I had a similar problem last year with 3 interviews all on the same weekend, except they only shared one overlapping day a piece. If that is the case, say one is Thurs-Sat and the other is Fri-Sun, then you can ask if it is okay to arrive a bit late to the interview/leave a bit early. I know there are some differing opinions on this, but from my experience it was okay and they understood. If they are on the exact same days then, again, go with the advice you have already gotten. Good luck and congrats on the interviews!!

Thanks to you both for responding.

Indeed, they're both the same days, Thurs - Sat, so they're truly conflicting.

[newkidontheblock]

i had the same prob, and i explained to them honestly that while am really honored to be considered by them, another univ contacted me wks ago and i already RSVP-ed.

then i asked them if i can just fly there during the week (one of the weekdays that i can make it) on my own initiative and meet them. cos i really do want to meet them. they understood and said yes.

dont worry, just be honest, be sincere, they'll understand:)

Thanks to you both for responding.

Indeed, they're both the same days, Thurs - Sat, so they're truly conflicting.

[franks98]

i had the same prob, and i explained to them honestly that while am really honored to be considered by them, another univ contacted me wks ago and i already RSVP-ed.

then i asked them if i can just fly there during the week (one of the weekdays that i can make it) on my own initiative and meet them. cos i really do want to meet them. they understood and said yes.

dont worry, just be honest, be sincere, they'll understand:)

Yeah, this seems like a good option. Schools have to expect that with the cut-throat competition to their programs, that students are applying out to many different places and that these issues may arise. I think being straight up honest about it would not bother either place. To me, it would show a level of integrity that I would expect in serious applicants. Saying that you have a conflicting schedule may come back to bite you because, after all, academia is a small world. If you ditched on one previously made obligation to go to a different interview, both schools may end up finding that out and may then question your fit with the principles of their program.

[NewEmpiric]

Yeah, this seems like a good option. Schools have to expect that with the cut-throat competition to their programs, that students are applying out to many different places and that these issues may arise. I think being straight up honest about it would not bother either place. To me, it would show a level of integrity that I would expect in serious applicants. Saying that you have a conflicting schedule may come back to bite you because, after all, academia is a small world. If you ditched on one previously made obligation to go to a different interview, both schools may end up finding that out and may then question your fit with the principles of their program.

Well, I just called the Boulder POI.

He was very understanding and said that I could either:

1) Go to the Boulder weekend instead.

2) Go to the WUStL weekend as originally planned, and find an alternate date to visit Boulder.

He basically said that most professors understand that there's some level of competition to get students for the same interview weekends, and they understand that students have to make tough decisions, figure out alternatives, etc.

He was really nice about it.

Having said that, he did say that I might be missing out on the full experience if I'm not there for the official Boulder interview weekend (which is probably true).... I think this is the option most of you have been advocating.

I'm going to have to think about this.

[cautiouslyoptimistic]

Well, I just called the Boulder POI.

He was very understanding and said that I could either:

1) Go to the Boulder weekend instead.

2) Go to the WUStL weekend as originally planned, and find an alternate date to visit Boulder.

He basically said that most professors understand that there's some level of competition to get students for the same interview weekends, and they understand that students have to make tough decisions, figure out alternatives, etc.

He was really nice about it.

Having said that, he did say that I might be missing out on the full experience if I'm not there for the official Boulder interview weekend (which is probably true).... I think this is the option most of you have been advocating.

I'm going to have to think about this.

The "full experience" of interview weekend is not all that spectacular. I mean it's nice to get to know lots of people in the department and see if you are a good fit socially, however, you also have to spend all day with people you just met in what is kind of a marathon interview. I think your relationships and reputation mean a lot in this field and the last thing you want to do is start off your career by going back on your word with something. Also, keep in mind that if you pass up on WUStL, you may alienate them, AND you still might not get into Boulder. You could potentially shoot yourself in the foot by switching to Boulder, however, what you could potentially gain from being in Colorado on the exact interview day may not be much. I STRONGLY recommend you stick with WUStL, and tell Boulder that while they are your first choice, you simply couldn't go back on your word, however you are really looking forward to visiting and appreciate that they are flexible with your visit date. That is just my opinion though, and I am only one person.

[UnlikelyGrad]

When I was a prospective grad, I couldn't make the visit weekend here at MyU, but to be honest, I don't think I missed much. In fact, I think I got more personal attention by showing up by myself on an alternate date (the admins here were happy to arrange this).