Missing class for Grad School Interviews

[elem3nt]

Even though they are official/excused absences, has anyone had conflicts with professors over absences for graduate school recruiting visits? I.e. being pressured to cancel interviews?

I have 7 interviews and will miss a LOT of class. Should I inform my profs of the interviews all at once or gradually, a week before each interview?

[CarlieE]

I haven't had a problem with this. Most of my professors are super happy for me and they aren't counting my absences towards their usual "max" number of absences before a letter grade demotion. I don't think most professors will be jerks about it; after all, they went through the same thing...

[ktel]

I would let your profs know all at once and give them as much notice as possible. Having had to miss a fair bit of school in the past for sports related things, the earlier you tell them, the better.

[elem3nt]

Thanks for the advice. I have been finding out the hard way about this stuff and have the following advice for anyone out there:

Thoroughly know the rules concerning class attendance and read everything on your syllabus about the make-up policy before talking with your prof. Have a copy of both when you go to discuss your absence/rescheduling assignments, and be prepared to argue them like a lawyer. Additionally, get a letter from your dean (again, before talking with your prof) explaining your absence. You want as much firepower as possible on your side. Not everyone is as thrilled as you about missing class to go interview.

[crazygirl2012]

I was really worried about this too. Of course it depends on the individual professor, but in my experience, they are very understanding. I thought one of mine would give me a hard time about it, and the first thing he said was, "that's great news." Another one is automatically giving me 0/15 on a quiz I'm missing because there are no exceptions, even for excused absences. I wasn't upset because it is in the syllabus... and because we can drop the lowest quiz score so it doesn't matter anyway. Definitely read your syllabi carefully before you talk to your professors, because you want to sound prepared and because you might end up worrying about things that you don't need to worry about. As far as the timing, I would suggest letting them know about the absences ASAP and share the exact dates. They might not care about the exact dates, but it shows that you're taking this seriously. For one of mine, I sent an email, for two of them, I went to their office hours. Just choose which option you think they'll prefer and go with it.

Also, congratulations! 7 interviews is amazing.

[candycrava]

I am really concerned about this.  On MWF, I have a class where I'm not allowed to miss more than 3 classes.  On T,R I have a class where i cannot miss more than 2 classes.  I only have a possibility of 3 interviews to go to, but am still very concerned.  Any advice?

[uromastyx]

I am really concerned about this.  On MWF, I have a class where I'm not allowed to miss more than 3 classes.  On T,R I have a class where i cannot miss more than 2 classes.  I only have a possibility of 3 interviews to go to, but am still very concerned.  Any advice?

Have you tried to talk to the prof and exlain your situation? Ask for a possiblity to make up the time missed?

[PsychGirl1]

I'm missing tons of class, but they are understanding. What I did was I emailed them, explained that I was applying to graduate school, and gave the dates I'd be missing. Then I asked them if there was anything extra they'd like me to do to make up for missing this many classes, with a statement that I'd be getting notes from other students and keeping up with the readings. Just be polite and organized :-)

[Angua]

I am really concerned about this.  On MWF, I have a class where I'm not allowed to miss more than 3 classes.  On T,R I have a class where i cannot miss more than 2 classes.  I only have a possibility of 3 interviews to go to, but am still very concerned.  Any advice?

 

First, try not to worry too much until it's actually an issue.  You may be able to make interview travel work around your class schedule (several that I am aware of are on weekends, with arrival Friday night).  If there is a conflict, let your professors know in the way others have suggested here.  If they won't budge, you can always ask the grad programs for alternative arrangements -- think about which programs are the most important for you, and which programs you're more comfortable visiting with at an alternate time.