Contacting PC about flights

[FriendlyOctopus]

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Is it ok to email a program coordinator, asking if I will make it to a certain time flight after the interview? Will the PC see it that I am eager to leave the interview and not interested in the program? Or that I am spending her valuable time on nonsense problems, or something along those lines?

 

[mcl]

Is it ok to email a program coordinator, asking if I will make it to a certain time flight after the interview? Will the PC see it that I am eager to leave the interview and not interested in the program? Or that I am spending her valuable time on nonsense problems, or something along those lines?

I think it's a reasonable question, especially if you are in an area where flight options are limited. A few times each interview cycle I end up with someone who either can't make the dinner the night before the interview or who has to leave the before the facililty tour on the interview day due to flight schedules. You are trying to make the best use of your time. Coordinators are trying to help you get the most out of your interview day.

 

[Slade]

Usually programs have an itinerary for interview day that tells you exactly when the day ends.

 

[Smurfette]

It is ok to ask about this. They know that sometimes your flight options are limited. Usually they will let you stow your luggage at the interview as well.

 

[member77077]

I've asked program coordinators when the interview day ended (when it was not clear in the initial email) and how far away the airport was. This was when I had about 2 weeks to the interview day so I could buy my tickets before they got too expensive. Everybody else usually told me eventually. I don't see any harm in it.

 

[thecampuslegend]

Is it ok to email a program coordinator, asking if I will make it to a certain time flight after the interview? Will the PC see it that I am eager to leave the interview and not interested in the program? Or that I am spending her valuable time on nonsense problems, or something along those lines?

I had this same question, thanks for bringing it up!

 

[EMCoord]

I see questions all the time with concerns about contacting the PC. We are, for the most part, not a scary bunch. It is entirely reasonable to ask us when the interview might end. We know how difficult all of this scheduling is for you. As a coordinator, I'd rather see you trying to organize that ahead of time.
I would always err on the side of asking the coordinator.

 

[peppy]

At the very least, I think you should tell the Prog Coordinator about your flight so that they can make sure that your interviews are scheduled early in the day. There are programs where they will sometimes schedule people with interviewers at the end of the day - so you definitely don't want to end up in the situation where you can't meet all your interviewers because you have to leave for a flight.

 

[thecampuslegend]

.Reply from a residency program:
"No worries at all! We understand that the applicants have a tight schedule! You can leave early"

As long as you inform them, and you aren't leaving excessively early, I think they will try to do everything they can to accommodate you. After all, they want to make a good impression on you as well.
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