In-Person vs. Skype Interview--- Advice Wanted

[katieliz456]

Today I was invited to interview at BU. This is one of only two potential schools that interviews (the other is my current undergrad, which is about 5mins from my house). All invited students have the option of Skype or in-person. They say the strongly recommend in-person, but it would be at least a 7-hr travel day each way for me, and cost close to $1000 for flights, hotel, meals, etc. Do y'all think that choosing Skype would hurt my chances? Is there a polite/acceptable way to ask if they would provide any reimbursement or accommodations? Thanks! P.S.- I visited this school in August to tour the facilities and meet the program director. I am also familiar with Boston and this particular neighborhood, but it would still be nice to meet more faculty members and other grad students.

[biotechie]

I can't imagine getting the same experience I got at my in-person interview on Skype. If you're serious about this program and can swing the travel fees, go for the in-person; I felt like they really got to see me in ways they would not have via the internet. If not, and if there are no possible ways of getting funding to travel, then obviously you have to go for the Skype interview.

[katieliz456]

Thanks for the input! I guess the finances won't be a huge factor, since my parents have offered to help. I guess i just feel bad "wasting" money to visit a place I've already seen, and would rather save it in case i get accepted at one of the 4 schools I've never been to  

 

And thank you for sharing your experience. I think that's what makes me want to go visit, since I'm not sure how well I'd come across via Skype :/

[katieliz456]

(I'm also nervous because this is their 1st year doing interviews. I have this feeling that I'll fly all the way out there, then show up for a 30-min tour and a 30-min "chat" with some professors, and then it'll be over!)

[biotechie]

(I'm also nervous because this is their 1st year doing interviews. I have this feeling that I'll fly all the way out there, then show up for a 30-min tour and a 30-min "chat" with some professors, and then it'll be over!)

 

I don't think it will hurt to find out the itinerary before you go. My interviews were an evening dinner with students, a full day of 5, one-on-one interviews with faculty, and then a day to explore the city with current students. I probably wouldn't be willing to go if I was just going to to a 30 minute interview and a 30 minute tour. If they're wanting you to do at least a whole day of things, then it sounds worth it for me, especially if you get one-on-one time to interview with faculty and to meet current students to get their input on the program. Those are actually really fun (though I'm in science and I find odd things to be fun).

 

Somehow, all of my interviews were funded by the department... not sure how that happened. There might be travel grants/scholarships you can apply for, but I don't think you'd get them until you get back. I am a bad person because I don't know where to find these, but I have heard of students getting scholarships (not from the department) to travel to interview.

 

You're not the only one in her first year of interviews.

[katieliz456]

That's a good idea to ask for the itinerary! I agree that it would be fun to meet with students and faculty and really get to chat with them.  It seems like funded interviews/visits are mainly for doctoral programs... I haven't heard of too many M.S. programs that reimburse for travel : (

 

I probably wasn't clear in my first post, but I meant that the Fall 2013 application season is the first time BU has included an interview as part of their application.  I'm expecting there to be a lot of uncertainty & little bumps, because it is new for the faculty, committees, etc.   It is also my first year (and hopefully last!) applying to schools The other school I applied to that has an interview has been doing it for years, so it's pretty easy to ask past applicants what to expect for that one.

 

Random, but I noticed you were accepted to a program at Baylor (congrats on the acceptances, btw!!). Were you able to visit? What is the area like? I've heard that it's really out in the middle of nowhere, but it seems like a fairly large school so I'd assume there are a decent amount of young-ish people around? 

[biotechie]

Random, but I noticed you were accepted to a program at Baylor (congrats on the acceptances, btw!!). Were you able to visit? What is the area like? I've heard that it's really out in the middle of nowhere, but it seems like a fairly large school so I'd assume there are a decent amount of young-ish people around? 

 

Thanks. I should have clarified that I was accepted to Baylor College of Medicine, which is in Houston where there are 4 million people, not Waco. Waco should have lots of younger students around since that is where the undergrad institution is. I learned a bunch about Houston, but nothing really about Waco since the schools aren't that much associated with each other. I definitely visited; since most biomed programs pay to fly you out for an interview, you don't really get a chance for admission unless you attend. That might not be as true for other fields where I see people getting to choose.

 

However, I currently go to a school out in the middle of nowhere (not in Texas) and grew up in a really rural areas. If it is a college town, you can be pretty sure it will have a mall, places shop, little cafes, movie theatre, etc. There will be things to do and people to hang out with, though as a grad student, we won't get much time. I'm a masters student, now, and by the weekend, I would rather sleep than go out! I can probably answer general rural school questions, but I'm sorry I don't know about Waco specifically. >.<

[katieliz456]

Ooooh, that makes sense! I'm glad to know i will be able to "survive" out in a rural area, if necessary  

 

Update on original post: I decided to fly out for the interview. I was able to find plane tix for under $300 RT and a hotel for under 100/night, so I figured it'd be worthwhile : ) 

[emilymr627]

I am also flying out for the interview. Found a flight ~$300 and have a sister who lives in Boston to stay with. I told them my only available day was Friday to do the interview, because I have to fly back Saturday morning. I am taking the whole week in Boston, Tues-Saturday, and also plan to visit Emerson and MGH, which I also applied to. Emerson was really easy to set up a tour - I am doing Thursday afternoon, but I have not heard back from MGH since my recent decision to fly up. Will anyone else be spending Wed and Thurs in Boston before the interview?? My sister has classes all day, so I will be exploring the city on my own between touring the speech programs. If anyone will be in Boston by themselves and wants to meet up to talk grad school, let me know! I am so excited!