Calling department secretary? [warning: overanalyzing]

[serenade]

Ok here's my dilemma: I interviewed at University A last week. While there, I got an email from University B saying they wanted to do a phone interview "in the next few days." I asked University B if I could wait until Wednesday (today) because I'm supposed to hear back from University A by Tuesday/Wednesday at the latest. University B wants to gauge my interest in accepting an offer before making any offers. University A is my first choice, but if I get rejected from it, then University B will become my top choice. If that's the case, I want to tell University B that they're my top choice. But I need to hear from University A first! 

 

So, would it be rude/harm my chances to call the department secretary at University A this morning to ask her what time they'll be sending out decisions? That way I could know what time to schedule an interview with University B. But would that  be either rude/bothersome or worse, harm my chances?????????????????

[c m]

Why not interview with University B before hearing a response from University A? It is fine to have two offers on the table, and you can still tell University B why you like their program and applied even without the response from A.

[grad_wannabe]

Agreed with CM. You don't need to wait to hear from A before interviewing with B. Neither does B need to explicitly know where they are on your interest hierarchy. You're obviously interested in them, otherwise you wouldn't have applied. Be honest that you would love to attend.

 

All of the schools know that applicants juggle multiple applications, they expect it. You don't need to obfuscate that fact. 

[serenade]

Thanks guys! I met someone at my interview at A last week that said he also interviewed with B and they asked him where they stood on his hierarchy so they could determine offers. So I'd like to give B an honest answer but I might just tell B they're my top choice even if I haven't heard from A yet. B is among my top choices, if not THE top, so it's not really lying right?? I'm a terrible liar

[c m]

It isn't a lie.  You would go there if you didn't get an offer from A, right? So I would say that is a top choice.

[Bacchanalia]

I would just avoid being overly specific in your response. Don't say, "you are my number one choice" Say, "You are at the top of my list." I know its semantics, but it might help alleviate the feeling of dishonesty. 

 

That way you are honestly conveying your interest without making a promise you may be unable to keep. Also, if they think you are a competitive, strong applicant who may have other offers they may consider offering you a stronger package in the hope of wooing you away. 

[slaNYC]

I think what the school is doing happens pretty regularly.  It happened to me during my application process.  From what you wrote it sounds like you haven't accepted anywhere else, nor are you "planning" on accepting anywhere else. So I would call or write to school B and be absolutely honest: you have yet to be accepted anywhere else, you remain very interested in their school and are not actively "planning" to go elsewhere, but of course your final decision will depend on a number of factors including any financial or fellowship offers you receive, and that you'd be delighted to be accepted by them and you would give them every consideration.

 

Most importantly, this is great news that you are being considered. I would guess they only reach out to top candidates to see if they are interested knowing that their top candidates are also at the top of other lists too! 

 

[serenade]

Thanks again! When I explained my situation to University A today, they said that I won't hear from them until Friday. They said to "do what I feel is best" regarding the interview with B. (Also, when I skyped with B, they said as soon as I commit, they're ready to make me an offer but I asked if I could wait until Monday after I'd heard back from "another school"). University A said that even if I interview with B, I need to remember that they (A) are "very interested" in me. Is that code that they're planning on accepting me?