Probably a silly question but I've got to ask

[odc245]

Hi!

I've been religiously reading this forum for the past month and a half but this is my first post. I have a (probably stupid) question. I've been invited to visitation weekend and the organizer said in the e-mail that travel funds were available to visiting students. Does that mean that I should go ahead and buy my plan ticket & hotel reservation and expect to be reimburse me later? Or would they like send a check to me now or something? Or should I e-mail him back and just ask?

Sorry if this is a silly question. But thanks in advance for your responses and suggestions.

[socialpsych]

I would ask. Very likely they'll tell you to go ahead and buy it yourself (esp the plane ticket--maybe not hotel) but some schools like to book plane tickets for you through their own travel agents so you don't have to get reimbursed.

[kahlan_amnell]

Hi!

I've been religiously reading this forum for the past month and a half but this is my first post. I have a (probably stupid) question. I've been invited to visitation weekend and the organizer said in the e-mail that travel funds were available to visiting students. Does that mean that I should go ahead and buy my plan ticket & hotel reservation and expect to be reimburse me later? Or would they like send a check to me now or something? Or should I e-mail him back and just ask?

Sorry if this is a silly question. But thanks in advance for your responses and suggestions.

You should ask how they handle travel funds. They may want to make the reservations for you. Or they may tell you to make the reservations and they will reimburse you. If that is the case, check if there is a limit on how much they will reimburse. Also, note that they may offer to let you stay with a current grad student instead of putting you up at a hotel.

[Aceflyer]

Just email (or call) them and ask. Have fun on your visit!

[Louiselab]

You ask.

The hotel reservations, I have found, are handled by the department. So they will tell you which hotel to go to and the reservation will be under your name or the department.

The plane/train/automobile fare might have a limit to it. Many are fond of the $250 mark, so you can buy it but not necessarily expect to be reimbursed for the whole price.

[UnlikelyGrad]

The schools that accepted me liked to make the reservations (both plane and hotel) themselves. So go ahead and contact them.