Being pushy with interview dates?

[zogoto]

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So my top 2 choices have given me interviews lately, and one of them said choose out of these dates in November and another said come on Y date in January. Is it a bad idea to call them and ask if I can come on a different date (not listed in the November dates) and same for the January one? It's not a huge deal either way, but it is a little more convenient for me in both cases. The January one is far away but it means I have to cut my winter break short by a week 🙁

I've heard that schools keep track of these things so I wanted to be sure.

 

[flip26]

Are these rolling or non-rolling? I would hate for a rolling school to push my interview much past those dates you mention...

I have made requests to change assigned dates, and it has been no problem. If the dates don't work with your schedule, ask for a change.

 

[FlowRate]

So my top 2 choices have given me interviews lately, and one of them said choose out of these dates in November and another said come on Y date in January. Is it a bad idea to call them and ask if I can come on a different date (not listed in the November dates) and same for the January one? It's not a huge deal either way, but it is a little more convenient for me in both cases. The January one is far away but it means I have to cut my winter break short by a week 🙁

I've heard that schools keep track of these things so I wanted to be sure.

I can't really answer your question, but it seems to me like going to a new city to interview at and learn more about a med school you want to go to isn't quite a "not-vacation." I think I'd spend an extra day or two and have some fun and learn about the city itself! =)

 

[zogoto]

I can't really answer your question, but it seems to me like going to a new city to interview at and learn more about a med school you want to go to isn't quite a "not-vacation." I think I'd spend an extra day or two and have some fun and learn about the city itself! =)

To clarify, neither of these are rolling and I'm from the city so I don't need to do much exploring.I'm mainly concerned about them looking unfavorably towards rescheduling and interview after they assigned you one or a set of choices.

 

[JJMrK]

I don't think they can realistically expect you to be available on some random date they pick. Rescheduling seems pretty much standard practice to me.

 

[flip26]

I don't think they can realistically expect you to be available on some random date they pick. Rescheduling seems pretty much standard practice to me.

Until all schools go to the systems where you pick an available date (like VCU), there is no way that these schools really expect people to accept the date given out - they are just hoping that enough people accept that offering to eliminate some of the hassle factor for their office staff, but screw 'em.

 

[bellakk]

I'd call and ask for a sooner date. The worst that happens is that they say no.

 

[mvenus929]

I don't think they can realistically expect you to be available on some random date they pick. Rescheduling seems pretty much standard practice to me.

I called to reschedule an interview I was given, because it would be difficult for me to find coverage at work, and we're already short handed (and fwiw, I work in a hospital). The person in the admissions office explained that I was given an early interview as a convenience, and unless I was traveling, I should really do my best to make arrangements to be there.

But that was a bad apple of the bunch. None of the other schools I've gotten interviews at have had any issue with me rescheduling.

 

[FlowRate]

I called to reschedule an interview I was given, because it would be difficult for me to find coverage at work, and we're already short handed (and fwiw, I work in a hospital). The person in the admissions office explained that I was given an early interview as a convenience, and unless I was traveling, I should really do my best to make arrangements to be there.

But that was a bad apple of the bunch. None of the other schools I've gotten interviews at have had any issue with me rescheduling.

Convenience to whom? Did they think they were doing you a "Favor" (earlier decisions) or easier for them to "fit you in" there? Either way, sounds like a bit of a rude way to handle a student!