back to back interview/visits = bad idea?

[neuropsych76]

So I have an acceptance from school A and was offered a visit. The problem is that this school's visit day is the day before school B's interview weekend is. School A is kind of far away so it might be possible to make both events if I don't sleep for a night

I'm much more interested in school A and I'm mostly just going to school B to check it out.

The thing is that school B has a 3 day interview weekend. Is it okay if I miss the first 1.5 days and only attend the actual interview (i'd be missing a dinner and "fun night with grad students")? I've already had a topic on here asking if I should even go to school B's interview but now since school A is directly affecting my trip, I've gone back to doubt land.

any advice is appreciated

Edited March 1, 2011 by neuropsych76

[nhyn]

Were you at the grad student dinner for school X (that we both interviewed for - wink wink)? I can tell you that it was probably the most helpful dinner, esp. since the next day was so poorly organized and I barely had time to talk much with the grad students. However at another school I interviewed at we met grad students during lab tours and meetings, and the dinner happened AFTER that so it wasn't very helpful. So I think if you have the grad students on your interview schedule, or figure you can get a chance to talk to them later, it's fine to skip the dinner.

Good luck! heard from school X yet??

[neuropsych76]

Were you at the grad student dinner for school X (that we both interviewed for - wink wink)? I can tell you that it was probably the most helpful dinner, esp. since the next day was so poorly organized and I barely had time to talk much with the grad students. However at another school I interviewed at we met grad students during lab tours and meetings, and the dinner happened AFTER that so it wasn't very helpful. So I think if you have the grad students on your interview schedule, or figure you can get a chance to talk to them later, it's fine to skip the dinner.

Good luck! heard from school X yet??

Haha, very true. I think I learned more at that dinner than the actual interview day. But this upcoming interview is 3 days long! I feel like I could miss one day and not lose much grad school student interaction because there is a whole day of empty space (i'm guessing i'll meet with more grad students then).

Still no news on school X... sigh. this long of a wait can't be a good sign!

Edited March 1, 2011 by neuropsych76

[UnlikelyGrad]

I think missing a day and going to school B fresh would be a lot more effective than going to school B after a night with no sleep--I can't imagine you'd remember much of the first day in the latter situation!

[neuropsych76]

I think I'll just skip the first day since I'll still have plenty of time at school B and it makes the trip much easier. I could change school A's visit if I had to but since both visits fall on spring break it makes it so much easier to do it all in one swoop

One follow up question... is it okay to let school B know I'm missing part of their interview for another school? Is this frowned upon?

[nhyn]

i don't think so...I remember not all of the applicants showed up at that grad student dinner. Just tell them your schedule won't allow it etc.