Should I/How do I mention I will 100% attend if admitted?

[cmykrgb]

Hi everyone,

Since I only have one interview(at one of my top choice), how do I mention I will definitely attend if admitted? I don't want to sound desperate. Does it even help with your chance?

Thanks!

[TakeruK]

This is a tough question, so be sure to seek advice from others too. I don't think this information directly helps your chances. However, what does help is demonstration that you are passionate about the work they do and interest in joining their community.

I think that if the topic comes up (e.g. they might ask you how their program compares to others), you can and definitely should say that they are your top choice school. There's no need to say that you will 100% attend if admitted though. Just that it's your top choice school.

If it doesn't come up, then I think it is a little awkward to just randomly blurt that out in an interview! Instead, if you are not asked, my advice would be to just show (professional) excitement and enthusiasm for their program. Don't go overboard or it will seem forced and fake. But since it's your top choice, it shouldn't be hard to just be excited  If you do this, you don't need to tell them it's your first choice because you still get the important message across (that you are interested and enthusiastic about their program!)

Later on, they might also ask you this question because when they make offers, they generally want to guess at the chances they will get you to come. So if they ask later, you should definitely be honest since it's easy to say that you will attend. However, this doesn't really help you at this point, since it's not related to whether you get an offer, just how many offers they plan to make in total.

 

[cmykrgb]

Thank you! that was helpful! What I took out of your response was to act natural, mention it if it comes up, but don't over do it. 

p.s. I wrote this post thinking specifically that you would be the one to answering it @TakeruK

Edited January 27, 2017 by cmykrgb

[TakeruK]

Yep! That's the advice I got too when discussing a similar topic with my advisor for postdoc positions. Good luck