Interview lodging, transportation, advice

[bubble_psych]

Hi, everyone!

I just received my first interview invite for the season at IUP PsyD program. I am coming from the NYC area and was wondering if any of you interviewed there and what the experience was like in terms of using public transportation to get there, if they offer student hosts or if you stayed in a hotel, was there inclement weather during your travel and if so how did you deal with the situation?

Although I made this thread specifically to get feedback for IUP, I want to open this up to anyone that has similar questions for their upcoming interviews at other schools too.

 

[TakeruK]

If the invitation doesn't already provide you with some of the details/logistics, it is definitely okay to ask about it while accepting the request (or wait for their answer if their answer changes which dates are available to you etc.)

[fuzzylogician]

Definitely ask about travel and accommodations if that info wasn't provided. As far as weather-related travel difficulties, those are hard to plan for, but if it happens, usually one of two things will happen: either you get rescheduled (usually) or they offer you the option of participating in meetings/interviews via Skype, especially if rescheduling is somehow hard. I would suggest not worrying about things you can't predict. If there's weather trouble, you won't be the only one having it, and this won't be the first year this happens. Let them solve the problem if and when it arises. 

[Timemachines]

Can anyone provide some thoughts on etiquette and advice on lodging with current student hosts? (Have you stayed with a current student? Are you expected to socialize and be with them at all times? Should you get them something as a small token of appreciation/gratitude for hosting you? etc)

Edited December 18, 2017 by Timemachines

[Clinapp2017]

1 hour ago, Timemachines said:

Can anyone provide some thoughts on etiquette and advice on lodging with current student hosts? (Have you stayed with a current student? Are you expected to socialize and be with them at all times? Should you get them something as a small token of appreciation/gratitude for hosting you? etc)

Hi there,

 

I had 7 interviews last cycle, and got into my top choice so I’ll offer my perspective as an applicant. 

 

If I stayed with a student (which I did at the 5 interview sites where this was offered), I always brought a thank you note and a small trinket (e.g., a magnet from my home state) as a gift. In the note, I always wrote a kind letter and thanked them for specific things during my visit. At my accepted school, my hosting student said this went a long way and they made a point to tell me POI about it. Small courtesies can go miles. 

 

No... you don’t need to spend 24/7 with your host. In fact, they may have stuff to do (like projects or case reports) while you are there. I’d say it’s common to do at least one activity or share one meal with them apart from the group activities, but this is just anecdotal. I’m pretty social anyways, so I talked a ton with my hosts for the most part. However, I was coming straight for an interview to my top choice interview weekend, so I told the student in advance I’d like an evening to myself and they totally understood. 

 

This should go without saying, but just be yourself and don’t do anything stupid. I’d say the host intereactions are you best chance to learn about the program from a student angle, but also carry the most risk if you are an a-hole, get wasted, say something incredibly offensive, etc. 

[fuzzylogician]

2 hours ago, Timemachines said:

Can anyone provide some thoughts on etiquette and advice on lodging with current student hosts? (Have you stayed with a current student? Are you expected to socialize and be with them at all times? Should you get them something as a small token of appreciation/gratitude for hosting you? etc)

Just be friendly and thoughtful. A thank-you note or gift would be appreciated, but are not expected or necessary. In all the years I've hosted students, I only had one leave a card. It was nice and I still remember the student, but I also remember others. I also had very few who made up the bed before leaving, so I remember the few who did that, too. As long as they were polite and considerate, I didn't expect anything more. You definitely don't need to spend all of your time with them (they probably wouldn't want that, either). They'll probably suggest some kind of joint activity at some point (like a dinner, or they'll just join one of the organized events at the department), and that's probably enough. The one thing I'd suggest is if you don't get your own key, be mindful of the fact that they need to wait for you to go home from any late evening events; offer to leave with them whenever they get tired and want to go home, so they don't have to stay up extra late just for you.