PhD/PsyD Alternate Day Interviews

[fallen625]

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I ended up having to schedule a few alternate day interviews at a few schools that are some of my top choices (because I committed to schools that weren't my top choice before finding out I had interviews at my top choices)

I am now freaking out that this will count against me. Thoughts?

 

[ahpsych]

I hope not because this happened to me too! I was reading another thread where someone said their friend got into a school after doing just a PHONE interview. So I'd think that still coming out there and meeting with the professor would be a mark in your favor (and mine too)! Would be interested to hear what others think though.

 

[JustNoticing]

I don't think it will count against you. My program accepts some phone applicants every year, and even occasionally arranges in person interviews for alternate days when necessary. Only downside is that it can give the applicant slightly less chance to impress everyone.

 

[psychRA]

I don't think there's a way to handle this situation that is perfectly risk-free, but I do think that arranging alternate interview days (rather than rescheduling at other programs) is the best way to go.

Depending on the program, you may have less contact with faculty and students at alternate interviews, because you won't be there for department-wide events on the regular interview days. However, not all programs have extensive interview weekend programming, and those that do (like mine) may make efforts to have you meet as many people as possible even on alternate days. On the plus side, when you go on an alternate day, you're more likely to be the only person interviewing that day, so you might be able to make more of an impression.

Conversely, I think that trying to reschedule interviews that are already set is a riskier choice, because you're letting those sites know that you're less interested in them.

 

[Jeina]

I'm currently in my third year at a program where I interviewed on an alternate day.

 

[counpsycphd2014]

I wouldn't worry too much. I was accepted into my top choice program where I attended on an alternate day (had already committed to another interview out-of-state). Interesting side note, 3 of the 8 students accepted into my cohort actually interviewed on the alternate day. This is not typically the case, however, and may have been partly due to the fact that my program was somewhat late to the game in contacting students to offer interviews that year. Good luck

 

[MCParent]

I'd think it would be viewed as very positive. You're still making the effort to come out, and incurring expense to do so. Any rational person would recognize that students have a lot of obligations over the interview season and there are only a few Mondays and Fridays that interviews are typically held on.

I would also concede that it's possible that someone *might* be an irrational egotist and find it slighting. A POI like that would be half crazy though.