yurifly Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 I was invited by one school to attend their interview/visit weekend with all travel expenses covered by the department. The school was somewhere in the middle of my list. I recently got an acceptance with funding from one of my top choices and now I know for sure I am not going to attend the other school. I am thinking about canceling my visit to the other school and let them know that I am going to accept the offer from another school. Is it rude to cancel when the school is paying for everything? I'm worried that the school is going to make me pay them back for the airfare and hotel. My friend said I should just go anyway, but I don't really want to waste my time visiting school I know I won't attend. Any inputs will be very much appreciated....
socialpsych Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Can you cancel the flights/hotel in time to get a refund, so that neither you nor the school is paying (much)? I was in this position and I canceled the visit. As I see it, it's ruder to spend their money on a recruitment/interview visit, when they don't have a chance of getting you to come and could have spent the money on somebody more enthusiastic, than to decline and let them down. But if your main worry is about whether you will have to pay them back for travel/hotel--well, yes, I think you are right to be worried.
yurifly Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 the visit is scheduled for this coming Thursday and Friday, so it will be a last minute cancellation. The airfare is about $400 round trip and nonrefundable according to the airline policy--that's an amount I cannot really afford to lose right now. At the same time, if I end up canceling, I also want to make sure that it's not going to hurt me in the future because from what I've heard, schools communicate with each other.
kdilks Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Even if you're not interested in attending the school anymore, use it as a networking opportunity.
Dubya Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 They're not going to reimburse you anything if you don't go...sounds like it will actually be cheaper to go and network!
cogneuroforfun Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 If its that close, just go. There's no reason to cancel now. If it wasn't for another couple weeks, then maybe think about canceling.
poiuyt Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Great opportunity to meet profs and grads in your field. Just go!
GirlattheHelm Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 It's a visit for a purpose. If you have a 'better' offer it's the schools wine and dine deal - they understand you still might not be coming to their University. Go, have fun, see something and get a feel for people. That can't hurt. Just don't tell them you're not interested while you wander around their campus... That'd be awkward.
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