Early Interview vs. Convenience

[The JockDoc]

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I got an interview invite to Tulane during the first week of October, which is cool 👍 , but the date they gave me was in the middle of the week. This means that I would have to miss two days worth of classes to fly down there and get interviewed 👎. After calling the office, I was told that the next available time was in November. This date works better because I don't have any class that day and can get away without missing any classes at all.

It is worth it to get interviewed, but take a hit with classes, or is it better to wait for the more convenient time a month later? How significant is the one month difference in my admissions chances?

Thanks

 

[leechy]

I got an interview invite to Tulane during the first week of October, which is cool 👍 , but the date they gave me was in the middle of the week. This means that I would have to miss two days worth of classes to fly down there and get interviewed 👎. After calling the office, I was told that the next available time was in November. This date works better because I don't have any class that day and can get away without missing any classes at all.

It is worth it to get interviewed, but take a hit with classes, or is it better to wait for the more convenient time a month later? How significant is the one month difference in my admissions chances?

Thanks

I've been facing a similar dilemma with some of my interviews. In my case, I want to see whether i get interviews at schools close to home before jetsetting to random corners of the country. I think in your case, one month is not a big enough difference to worry about... If you wanted to say, postpone the interview till January or so, I'd say you should reconsider (if the school is rolling). hope this helps.

 

[bigdan]

Same story here; I would (and did) lock up the first interview that was given to me. There is an active thread about whether early interviewees have better chances at acceptances; my opinion is that they do. So Tulane picked you over many other applicants likely because they saw something they liked...I wouldn't push that off, especially if it is your only interview. You MAY get other interviews that will allow you the freedom to play off Tulane, but Tulane is a definite now. I'm thinking "why chance it?" Remember - Tulane keeps looking at other great applicants all October while you wait til Nov.

Best of luck in whatever you choose.

dc

 

[MoosePilot]

What, you have something more important to do?

Just weigh the importance of the interview vs. a few days of class (a med school interview should be an excused absence if that even matters). Once accepted into med school, your GPA becomes much less important. Do the interview.

 

[kaikai128]

I would say..take the first interview possible. Talk to your professors in advance, if they know why you are missing class they are likely going to be reasonably flexible. My school had a very generous policy when it came to this sort of thing.

 

[The JockDoc]

Before I posted, I was leaning in the direction of doing the earlier date, but now I'll confirm it for sure.

I appreciated the help.

 

["Electrolights"]

If you are at all interested in the school, I would absolutely take the earliest date they would give you, regardless of your classes. I mean the only reason you are in those classes is so you can move on to bigger and better things such as med school. I would think that giving yourself any increase in your chance of gaining admission would be worth missing a few classes, even if in an extreme case it would mean a possible lower grade. If you waited till November just because of some classes and got waitlisted or rejected, you would always wonder.