Requesting an Interview

[FreeRider14]

I'm applying to seven Masters programs (both M.S. and M.Eng.) in biomedical engineering. Only one of the schools makes a point on their website to say that they send invitations for interviews. My assumption is that the other six schools do not hold interviews for Masters.

However, I'm wondering if I should request an informal interview with the other schools, in the meantime, while I'm waiting to hear back. All applications were submitted in mid-December 2011, but weren't due until late December '11/early January '12. Most schools explain that decisions will be sent from March-April. It sounds like it would be beneficial, as long as I come to the interview prepared with a full understanding of the school and program and also bring insightful questions along with me. But how beneficial will it be? Is it typical for Masters applicants in my position and/or area of degree to request an interview, and possibly as a way to help them stand out? Or, will this whole process seem awkward to the program no matter how professional I approach them?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[ktel]

I visited with several of my POIs before I applied, and I definitely think it helped. I do think it might be a little awkward to try to arrange a visit now that you have applied, unless you happen to be in the area and want to meet up. Or you could just lie and say that you will be in the area when in reality you really just want to meet with them.

[CarlieE]

Hmm.. My personal opinion is that if they don't do interviews then they probably won't grant your request for one.. however, you could ask if you could visit their school and meet with the POIs... it would be an informal kind of meeting, rather than an "interview". It would allow you to build a rapport with the POIs and leave a good impression on them...

[Hillary Emick]

I agree with anthroDork, it's perfectly acceptable to arrange a campus visit and meeting with your POI's although I wouldn't call it an interview in the request.

[FreeRider14]

Yeah sorry, I should clarify in my original post that instead of "interview", I meant "informal meeting". That to me is always acceptable, because you're somebody who needs more answers.

In my position, it would be nice to get an in-person feel for the campus, rather than just getting a sense from what you read online.

However, let's say if I'm on the fence about if I really need/want to visit the campus, then should I go anyway because I will have the benefit of meeting POIs, which could help improve my chances of acceptance? My gut feeling says, "it won't hurt you", as long as everything goes well, professionally.

[sabdo]

Out of curiosity, which school were you reffering holds interviews for MS in BME?

[CarlieE]

Yeah sorry, I should clarify in my original post that instead of "interview", I meant "informal meeting". That to me is always acceptable, because you're somebody who needs more answers.

In my position, it would be nice to get an in-person feel for the campus, rather than just getting a sense from what you read online.

However, let's say if I'm on the fence about if I really need/want to visit the campus, then should I go anyway because I will have the benefit of meeting POIs, which could help improve my chances of acceptance? My gut feeling says, "it won't hurt you", as long as everything goes well, professionally.

I would agree, it generally can't hurt you to just visit and meet with some of the professors. At my uni now, we have a terminal MA program and while there are no formal interviews done, I can say that visits are encouraged and welcomed. As a UG I visited before I declared anthro my major and the chair met with me then and answered all my questions, so I imagine that the same would go for an prospective MA student...