So i'm in a bit of a pickle. I got accepted into my top program, and I fully intend to accept that offer. However, I still have one interview remaining next Monday, at my last-choice program. I already accepted the interview, and received an itinerary in the mail. I don't want to drive out to this interview and waste their time, knowing that I'm already accepting another offer. My question is, what's the best way to let them know I won't be coming without burning any bridges? I don't want to upset the school, but I also don't want to go to their interview date anymore; I accepted the interview offer long time ago, before I even had the interview at the school I'm accepting. How do I go about this? Alternatively, should I go to the interview and just act like normal so they don't get offended? I feel bad about committing to them and then backing out, but I know absolutely that I won't be going to their school.
Accepted at top program- best way to turn down remaining interviews?
- Thread starter KS7576
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If you are 100% sure that you want to go to the school that offered you admission, I think it would be fine to decline the interview Monday. My program (I'm a grad student) had interviews recently and a few people dropped out of the process before coming, and frankly, its nice to know which applicants to really focus on (one less person to evaluate). Plus you would save your time and money, and our efforts to host/show you around!
I would word it very delicately, of course, but tell the school for Monday that you have accepted an offer at another program and will not be coming to the interview anymore and would like to withdraw your application from consideration. If you have been directly in contact with a POI, let them know that while you are very interested in their research, you don't want to take up an interview spot from another potential applicant. We know that you applicants are all getting other interviews/offers, so it doesn't hurt our feelings. Especially if your other offer is Harvard or something
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I can guarantee the program has heard what you have to say before, no worries. Just thank them for their interest and interview offer, and then state you have accepted an offer at another program and thus no longer wish to be considered for a position.
Trust me, odds are they would much rather hear that than have you show up to interview knowing full well you won't be taking an offer if they make one. As you've said, this might allow them to scramble and invite a waitlisted applicant in your place.
Trust me, odds are they would much rather hear that than have you show up to interview knowing full well you won't be taking an offer if they make one. As you've said, this might allow them to scramble and invite a waitlisted applicant in your place.
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Mind if I ask which program you will be attending 🙂
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I would absolutely not go. As it sounds like you're absolutely sure you wouldn't go there, I think it's ultimately most respectful of them if you let them know now, so they can spend their time and energy on applicants who might actually accept offers there.
I can appreciate your position, though, and not wanting to offend them. But I think you can send a thoughtful email to whomever is arranging the interview day, as well as your POI there, and let them know that your situation has changed since you received their invitation. I would mention that you were honored to be invited to interview at their program, and that it's hard to turn down an opportunity to meet with POI (assuming that's true), but that since the interview invitation, you've received an offer at another program that is a better fit for your needs. You can say you wanted them to be able to put their energies towards applicants who may attend, so you think it's best to cancel your trip to interview with them. I think programs and faculty understand and appreciate you being forthright.
On the other hand, if you're not totally certain you want to take the offer you have (or another one), I'd go and check it out. Who knows what you may think about the program if you've never been/met the POI, etc.
P.S. Congrats on the acceptance you're excited about!
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