Time Conflict for a Visiting Weekend

[Giddens]

I just found out today that I was accepted to one of my programs with funding today (thank god...I can sleep at night again and maybe stop refreshing the results page quite as often!). I don't want to say where, but it isn't among the highly ranked programs typically discussed on this forum.

 

 

Anyways, they want to fly me out for a visiting weekend in March, from Thurs to Sat. I however have a wedding on Saturday and am in the bridal party (aka kinda can't miss it). 

 

Do you think it would be flaky/and or a bad first impression if I asked if I could come out for just Thursday and Friday?

I really would like to visit before making a decision but I also really cannot miss this wedding. 

 

Advice would be greatly appreciated! 

Edited February 6, 2013 by Giddens

[amlobo]

I would just be honest with them.  Say you are thrilled about the acceptance and would love to visit but that you are in a wedding on that Saturday.  Ask if you could come just for Thursday-Friday.  They are people too and will understand.  And you are already admitted, so they will probably be willing to work with you.  It's not like you're blowing it off - you have a prior commitment... an important one obviously!  

[uromastyx]

I would just be honest with them.  Say you are thrilled about the acceptance and would love to visit but that you are in a wedding on that Saturday.  Ask if you could come just for Thursday-Friday.  They are people too and will understand.  And you are already admitted, so they will probably be willing to work with you.  It's not like you're blowing it off - you have a prior commitment... an important one obviously!  

Ditto.

[1848ce]

I do not currently have a scheduling conflict but am concerned about getting them, since five of my programs have yet to make any admission decisions. I get the impression that recruitment events are all typically held in March, but are they spread across the month or concentrated in a specific part? Should I be holding off on booking plane tickets and sending RSVPs in the event of an overlap or is this an unfounded concern?

[amlobo]

I do not currently have a scheduling conflict but am concerned about getting them, since five of my programs have yet to make any admission decisions. I get the impression that recruitment events are all typically held in March, but are they spread across the month or concentrated in a specific part? Should I be holding off on booking plane tickets and sending RSVPs in the event of an overlap or is this an unfounded concern?

 

If the schools you are waiting to hear from are of more interest to you than the ones where you have already been admitted, then I would hold off to see if they conflict so you can choose which to attend at that point.  If you want to go to the current ones regardless, then I'd book tickets.  Also, of course, you don't have to attend every visit you get invited to... so I'd make sure the ones you attend are the schools you "need" to visit to make your ultimate decision.  My two cents

[blogstarphd]

If the schools you are waiting to hear from are of more interest to you than the ones where you have already been admitted, then I would hold off to see if they conflict so you can choose which to attend at that point. If you want to go to the current ones regardless, then I'd book tickets. Also, of course, you don't have to attend every visit you get invited to... so I'd make sure the ones you attend are the schools you "need" to visit to make your ultimate decision. My two cents

I agree with this. I have a conflict with UCSB and Ohio State. One of the schools decided to fly me out after the visitation weekend. Just ask if that's possible. If they want you, they are going to do everything in their power to get you.

[Giddens]

I talked to the director today and he said it was totally fine for me to miss the last day. Phew!