How long to stay after interview

[cherry12055]

Hello! I am flying to all of my interviews and most of mine end at night and so I'll be staying two nights and leaving the next day. However one school's interview only goes until 1 pm, and so I could leave right after or I have been told I could be hosted an extra night if I want. What do people recommend? Would it be weird to go off on my own and explore the city after the interview and then stay with a grad student the second night? Is there any benefit to staying longer if nothing is planned? 

Thanks!

[fuzzylogician]

You could stay if you want to explore the city or if there are extra meetings/activities at that school that you'd like to have after the official visit ends. That wouldn't be weird at all. Other than that, I don't think there is any particular advantage to staying. The school might just be making it possible for you to stay an extra night because some flight schedules might make it hard for people to leave the same day the interview ends. Do keep in mind that it's probably an inconvenience to the host, so if there is no need, don't stay for no reason. (But if there is, don't hesitate to take them up on their offer.)

If you do stay, the only thing that you should not do is use the free time to visit another school in the same city for anything official, and continue to use the hospitality of school A. I had a prospie do that once when I hosted them, and I still remember being pissed by it. If you want to visit another school, get them to at least host you overnight. 

[TakeruK]

Since you're given the choice, it's your choice! Even if events end at 1pm, if you have a long flight, you might not be able to easily get a flight home that evening. So it's understandable if you want to stay and explore the city. You can even choose to arrange your own housing that second night if that makes you feel more comfortable (especially if you want to spend the afternoon exploring the city and the host lives far away from the city, for example). During my visits, I liked having a few hours to explore the campus/city on "my own" rather than as part of an official visit. It gave me more of a feel of what it would be like to be actually living there. So there's no advantage admissions-wise, but it could be a good experience for you if you want that.

[fadedfigures]

I say go ahead and stay to explore the city! They have planned for some folks to do so, since they have stated that you are free to stay if you would like. Think about it this way: you will be in that city anyway, since you will be interviewing until 1PM. Take the time to explore what may potentially be the city you live in for the next 5-6 years, and get a feel for the place. 

[Love3]

15 hours ago, cherry12055 said:

Hello! I am flying to all of my interviews and most of mine end at night and so I'll be staying two nights and leaving the next day. However one school's interview only goes until 1 pm, and so I could leave right after or I have been told I could be hosted an extra night if I want. What do people recommend? Would it be weird to go off on my own and explore the city after the interview and then stay with a grad student the second night? Is there any benefit to staying longer if nothing is planned? 

Thanks!

My advice would be to stay and explore the town/school. It will allow you to get a better feel of the place you may be spending your next 4-7 years. When I interviewed, I stayed at all but one school past the interview time. I regret not staying at the one school because I did not get a feel of the area and city as much as I wanted to. 

[cherry12055]

Thanks so much guys! For those who recommend staying, do you recommend it even if it involves spending an extra night with a grad student? I don't really have the money to go to a hotel and I don't want to inconvenience them- so it would be two nights. 

[fuzzylogician]

If the interview ends at 1pm and you ask to stay with a student that same night -- and use that afternoon to explore and leave the next day -- that's perfectly fine. 

[TakeruK]

I think it's perfectly fine because this option was given to you. It's not like you asked for something they weren't prepared to offer. If you feel bad, then ensure you get a morning flight out the next day.