"Recruiting Weekend Invitation"

[cjh81333]

I curious what does recruiting weekend invitation is for. I recently got this letter from one of the schools that I applied. 

However, I am not sure I am admitted or not because I did not get official admission letter from graduate school.

 

Does "Recruiting Weekend Invitation" kind of mean that I am admitted? or is it still one of step to be completed until final decision is made?

 

I am really curious since there is no "interview" letter in the email and all the costs (flight and hotel) is provided.

 

I appreciate any ideas and thoughts

 

[stmwap]

It means you are most likely in, as long as you don't raise any red flags when they meet you in person!

[PoliSwede]

Dress nice, don't act like an asshat, and you should probably be in!

[cjh81333]

@stmwap

 

So do people focus to look for my personality rather than academic (e.g. research focus)?

[stmwap]

Both are important, but they are trying to impress you as much as you are trying to impress them!

[Phdoobiedoobiedoo]

You might also want to keep in mind that if you are sent off, to dinner or whatever, to spend time with their current grad students to ask them questions, etc., that you still need to NOT be an asshat. I went to one of these once where the interviewees went to eat with the current students, no professors, and one applicant brought up that he didn't think the US should help Haiti after the earthquake, he said he 'hated Mormons', etc. Just obnoxious stuff. (One of the grad students present was an advanced student, very respected by the faculty, and a Mormon.) Just be aware that the students are there to answer your questions, but they may also be asked their opinion about you by the faculty after you leave. I don't know that this is standard and how much weight it may have with your application, but if you say any random thing to a student keep in mind that they may repeat it to the faculty. Sorry if this seems blatantly obvious, but clearly some people don't consider it. Time spent with their grad students should be considered part of the interview so to speak.

[ShortLong]

I agree with PhDebbie.  What school is it, do you mind me asking? I currently go to UT Austin as an undergrad, and I was talking to two current grad students today and they told me that they were both invited to the recruitment weekend without being officially told they were accepted. Then in one of their first meetings with all of the prospective student and the chairman of the department, the chairman asked them, "You all know that you are accepted, right?."  So you are most likely in.  I would agree with the don't be an asshat though. It is never bad to leave a good impression.

[ShortLong]

I got one of those today, and I think interviews are not as common in engineering as they are in "fuzzier" majors

[EngiNerd-12]

I got one of those today, and I think interviews are not as common in engineering as they are in "fuzzier" majors

 

Agreed.. they are more common in sciences. I applied to 3 engineering programs and only one of them conducts interviews. Congrats by the way!

[ShortLong]

Thanks, Amal!  cjh, did you report your recruitment weekend invite to the submit results page here? 

[Robin_Sparkles]

I got one of those today, and I think interviews are not as common in engineering as they are in "fuzzier" majors

Fuzzier majors....

[Vincenzo]

Fuzzier majors....

 

How fuzzy we talkin' here?

 

 

...or....

 

...

 

...

 

[scofield24]

So if you are invited to one of those paid visits, is there a dress code for meeting the faculty? Casual or business casual?

[woosah]

So if you are invited to one of those paid visits, is there a dress code for meeting the faculty? Casual or business casual?

 

My invitation specifically stated that attire for the recruitment weekend was business casual, and I get the sense that people in the program are more informal. I plan on packing a business option (i.e. interview suit) just in case though. I think business casual is a safe bet, but you could certainly call the person coordinating your visit to see what is expected.