Admit Day Etiquette

[ambiguous]

I have gotten into a few programs so far that want to fly me out for admit day. They are asking me whether or not I will come, but I am hesitant to commit at this point because I have not heard back from the majority of the programs that I applied to. How would you recommend dealing with this tactfully?

[sebastiaan]

I would be honest and tell them that you are waiting for other schools, without giving any more details.

Congrats! It´s good to be in that position

Seb

[06aculot]

By admit day do you mean open house? Because I know open houses fly you in so that you can tour the university, meet other students and profs, and get to know the programs more. I didn't know there was an actual admit day? Or is that at a much later date?

[ambiguous]

admit day = open house for admitted students to talk with profs, sit in classes, etc.

By admit day do you mean open house? Because I know open houses fly you in so that you can tour the university, meet other students and profs, and get to know the programs more. I didn't know there was an actual admit day? Or is that at a much later date?

[socialpsych]

Congratulations!

Why exactly are you hesitant to commit? Is it because you're not sure these programs are even in the running, or because you fear time conflicts?

Either way, I would recommend going if you are available during those weekends, even if they are not within your top 2-3 choices. First, because your preferences could change once you start visiting, and second, because it's just a really valuable experience to go on those visits and meet people (faculty, current students, other admits -- all of whom will be your colleagues in a few years' time). If there is really no chance you'd attend a program, don't waste time and money by going...but if there is a greater than zero percent chance, you should go.

[rising_star]

If you are at all considering attending those schools, then by all means go to the admit day. It will give you a chance to meet your future colleagues, see the facilities available, meet with your POI, etc. Plus, you can get a real sense of whether or not you like the city/town/area, what there is to do, what the grad students do, and how they are able to live on their stipend (ie, you can have your own place but it has to be a studio vs. you can afford a 2bd/1ba within 2 miles of campus in a decent neighborhood easily). You've got nothing to lose...

[deckard]

Do universities fly in international applicants who've been accepted, even if they're based overseas? I'd love to go to Princeton's open house but the airplane ticket is out of my budget....

[utsusemi]

This is a helpful thread. Thumbs up.

Does anyone have thoughts about bringing an SO to one of these things? Not to drag the poor guy/girl around to campus events where they'd be awkward and bored, but to give them a chance to get a feel for the area as well, since both halves of the couple would necessarily be relocating there. What would he/she do all day while the future grad is off schmoozing with faculty and students, though? Hmm.

[subrosa]

Do universities fly in international applicants who've been accepted, even if they're based overseas? I'd love to go to Princeton's open house but the airplane ticket is out of my budget....

Yes, they usually do. At least the monied ones, like Princeton, do. Things might change a little this year, though, as all coffers are suffering. Instead of covering the entire fare, schools may cap the amount they give for different modes of travel, like say, only a few hundred dollars for international travel -- hardly enough if you're on the other side of the world -- but if you've been admitted several places relatively close to each other, the schools can cost-share to optimize the amount of reimbursement you receive.

Good luck with Princeton!

Edited February 10, 2010 by subrosa