how important is visiting?

[alphabetized]

I'm wondering if you all might be able to shed some light.

 

I'm based in the UK; I've been invited to the no. 1 school of my choice for open house/interviews.

Unfortunately, I work full time and the dates of this open house coincide with the completion of a major project, and I'll be required to be there all week for work.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has any opinions about how detrimental not being at open house will be to my application... It is the only school I really want to go to, and want to give myself every chance available for getting in,  but I feel somewhat stuck. Of course, I'm not expecting any hard and fast answers - but, especially being in the UK, I feel somewhat out of touch with the US system, and what all of this 'open house' stuff really means with regards to admissions. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[iphi]

If you are able to arrange a visit with the school for another day, then do so. Otherwise, just try to get a skype interview and do lots of research online about the campus, and get the email of current students to ask them questions about their experiences.

[serenade]

I know that for my interview, out the 20 invited, only 12-15 people could arrange their schedule to attend in person; the rest are being interviewed over the phone. So I don't think it's a big deal that you can't come. If you explain your situation, I'm sure they'll understand (and could perhaps schedule you in for another time), particularly since you're "across the pond."

[Chubberubber]

I've been in your place exactly, and ended up not going. I asked my POI as well as other grad students in the program and they all said it's totally understandable if I don't come. In fact, my POI actively tried to dissuade me from doing so because they couldn't fund international travel and didn't want me to pay for anything out of pocket. We had a great Skye interview and things seems to be going on track since. 

Bottom line- I think you're fine if you don't attened, just keep an open line of communication to your POI and program administration. 

[alphabetized]

Thanks v much for your help, all. I guess I have no idea how many people even get invited and what the expectation is regarding attendance... and I'm terrified of doing something (or not doing something) to harm my chances. 

[Chubberubber]

Are they willing to cover your intrernational travel completely? If so, I'd say it's a pretty good indication that they expect you to be there. If not, then it's unrealistic to expect you to attend and they probably know it. 

Do you have someone in the program (a professor/ administrator/ adcom member)? It would be best to explain the situation to them and ask them straight.

[andos]

Not being at an open house when you live far away from its location really does not seem to be detrimental. It is certainly understandable.

However, some of the comments here made it sound as if attending an open house before being accepted, as an international student, and paying for the expenses may be detrimental... Is that really so? I ask it because I am actually going to do that in a week, and I am really nervous about the crazy possibility that just being there may be somehow detrimental. The school I'm visiting provides a partial reimbursement, but I am paying for most of the expenses.

[rising_star]

It's really not that detrimental. I never visited my PhD program until after I accepted. I went like 6 weeks before moving to look for housing and that was it.