Visiting schools you know you won't be going to.

[Gaiden59]

Basically it coming to the point where some of the schools I got in to, and under normal circumstances would possibly attend, are completely out of the running due to 2-body problem issues. However I still want to visit and meet people at these schools and learn about the research. So do you think it is wrong to waste a school's money to have them fly me out when I already know I won't be going?

[BKMD]

I don't see why not - they're trying to recruit you, after all; they want you to come, even if you don't think you'll go there. On the other hand, if you've actually *accepted* an offer, then I think it would be very unethical to continue visiting schools.

[kdilks]

I'd see if the university is able to accommodate your two body problem (assuming it's an issue of your other-body not getting accepted). There should be a thread somewhere that covers this issue. The main point that I remember is that as long as one of you is accepted, it's appropriate to see if the university can make accommodations for the other (ie, have your department ask other-body's department for a favor, and accept other-body because they really want you). I don't know how frequently such attempts are successful at the graduate student level, but it's certainly something that commonly happens later on.

[thisAintNoGame]

Basically it coming to the point where some of the schools I got in to, and under normal circumstances would possibly attend, are completely out of the running due to 2-body problem issues. However I still want to visit and meet people at these schools and learn about the research. So do you think it is wrong to waste a school's money to have them fly me out when I already know I won't be going?

Not in my opinion. As far as I see it, being a grad student is one of the worst jobs in existence. You are overworked, underpaid and under-appreciated. I say that you should grab the benefits where ever you can. Also, there are benefits to visits otherwise. You can get opinions and advice from current grad students that might help you make your choice as to where to go, when to choose an advisor, etc. You might also see something that you really like about the school and then start looking for that thing in the schools that you are still considering. Plus, meeting more people in the field is always a good thing.

I would probably still go even I had accepted an offer but I have no scruples.

Edited February 20, 2010 by thisAintNoGame

[grotesqueidols]

kdilks is right re the underlying core issue. Before you completely discount a university, especially one that you would accept had you but one body, you need to contact your potential supervisor with the issue quite directly. If they want you super duper bad, something may be done about your other body. If you don't contact about it, you two will never know.

If you are going to contact, I would say do so before the open house so they have time to discuss...or indicate you are coming to the open house, but your final decision is based on body #2, and suggest they interview #2 there, in person. It is worth a shot, no?