How to decline an interview after you have already accepted?

[robyn94]

I applied to seven schools this application cycle (all for the same program). I was offered to interview at a school that is my last choice solely due to financial concerns. But, because this was the first program to get back to me and offer me an interview, I quickly accepted. Since then however, I've been invited to interview at several of the other programs I applied to, and now I am considering declining the interview that I was initially offered. The problem I have with this, besides the fact that I've already accepted the offer to interview, is that the program was very accommodating and helpful when I was planning my visit and I would feel super shady cancelling now. The interview in question isn't until March 21st. So, I'm wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation before, and if anyone has suggestions on how to politely decline an interview offer after it has already been accepted. Thank you.

[avflinsch]

Unless one of the other programs offered you admission, I would do the interview.

[robyn94]

On 2/20/2017 at 0:59 PM, avflinsch said:

Unless one of the other programs offered you admission, I would do the interview.

My concern is that even if I do the interview, I don't think it would be financially feasible for me to attend the program. Also, travelling down to do the interview is already an expense and I feel like I would be wasting everyone's time. I just wish I had considered these things before I hastily accepted the invitation to interview.

[avflinsch]

18 hours ago, robyn94 said:

My concern is that even if I do the interview, I don't think it would be financially feasible for me to attend the program. Also, travelling down to do the interview is already an expense and I feel like I would be wasting everyone's time. I just wish I had considered these things before I hastily accepted the invitation to interview.

That is a totally different animal. You could just decline the interview and mention the expense issue, or ask if they would be willing to do something over skype. Since you said 'down to the interview', I assume that it is either U Michigan or Sarah Lawrence. I have never been to U Mich, but I have driven past Sarah Lawrence many times - pretty little campus, and easy access to NYC on the Metro North line.

 

[robyn94]

The program is at UMich. I've thought about it a lot, and I think my best option is to decline. My reasoning is mainly that I don't want to waste anymore of their time. Even if they accommodated me with a Skype interview (which I think is very unlikely), I would probably decline any offer of admission anyways because I don't think I can afford the tuition and living expenses. I also think that if I decline the interview, then another candidate that does have the means to attend their program could take my spot. However I'm not sure what the best way to go about backing out of my interview is. I want to be polite and gracious, and I definitely don't want to burn any professional bridges. I think I'm going to send an email thanking them for considering me for a spot in their program, and outline why I will no longer be attending the interview. It sucks because I like the program a lot, but closer scrutinization of the costs have made me realize that their program isn't the best fit for me in my current situation.