Going to every interview?

[VFrank]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Is it dumb to not go to every interview you're offered? I have an interview at Michigan in December, but I'm debating not going and I want to know what you guys think. I was already accepted to two schools, I haven't heard the best things from current Michigan students, AND I'm more interested in being a clinical physician (hence URochester and UColorado acceptances) than a heavy researcher (UMichigan). My now ex-boyfriend says it's "shameful" for me to write-off a school before I've even been there, but the costs of attending interviews is beginning to take a real toll on me and my family financially, emotionally, and academically. Should I just suck it up and go even though I'm not really THAT interested in the school now that I've been accepted other places?

 

[derf]

if you're still at NW, that's just a 3 hour drive to Ann Arbor. I would go and check it out.

 

[Mr. Seeds]

Is it dumb to not go to every interview you're offered? I have an interview at Michigan in December, but I'm debating not going and I want to know what you guys think. I was already accepted to two schools, I haven't heard the best things from current Michigan students, AND I'm more interested in being a clinical physician (hence URochester and UColorado acceptances) than a heavy researcher (UMichigan). My now ex-boyfriend says it's "shameful" for me to write-off a school before I've even been there, but the costs of attending interviews is beginning to take a real toll on me and my family financially, emotionally, and academically. Should I just suck it up and go even though I'm not really THAT interested in the school now that I've been accepted other places?

Congrats on your acceptances! I'm facing the same dilemma. I have 16 interview invites, been to five, and have 1 acceptance. There is no way I can afford to go to all the interviews, but I am trying to be open minded about schools and would like to actually see as many as possible without going too much into debt. For instance, Wake Forest was not very high on my list until I actually went there and saw the facilities, and now it is among my top choices (I haven't heard back from them, though).

If you don't really like the strong research focus of UMichigan, and already have an acceptance at Rochester (!) and really like it, I don't see the point of interviewing at UM. But I guess it depends more on your financial situation than anything else. If you have the money to blow, I don't see how it could hurt to at least see the school, but if you're broke like me, then going to a school that you're not that interested in might not make very much financial sense.

My two cents is that it comes down to $$$. If you have it, then go; if not, then open up the slot for someone who knows they are really interested.

BTW, did you ever hear anything back from NW?

 

[kiwie07]

I understand if you're afraid that you might like a school better than the other ones once you visit it; but I feel like Mr. Seeds in right - it boils down to $$. I have a similar problem - I just recently withdrew from a couple schools though; just because I knew that even though I know I might have liked them after I interviewed there, it was just impractical for me to go because of $ and time issues. I also am really happy with the school I got accepted to and would probably go there over the other ones as well. Good luck with your decision, congrats on your decision, and don't feel obliged to go to ALL the interviews that come your way. 😛

 

[leechy]

Is it dumb to not go to every interview you're offered? I have an interview at Michigan in December, but I'm debating not going and I want to know what you guys think. I was already accepted to two schools, I haven't heard the best things from current Michigan students, AND I'm more interested in being a clinical physician (hence URochester and UColorado acceptances) than a heavy researcher (UMichigan). My now ex-boyfriend says it's "shameful" for me to write-off a school before I've even been there, but the costs of attending interviews is beginning to take a real toll on me and my family financially, emotionally, and academically. Should I just suck it up and go even though I'm not really THAT interested in the school now that I've been accepted other places?

UMich is a school worth checking out... at least I was pretty impressed with it. But, I can entirely relate to the whole "should I bother going to all of these places?" dilemma. I've withdrawn from a few schools post-secondary or post-interview invite... and some of them were top 5 schools... I feel ambivalent about it. On the one hand, I coughed up the secondary fees and essays, but on the other hand, I don't see myself really interested in those places anymore for other reasons. So yeah, I understand your dilemma.

 

[45408]

Go to as many as you can, but certainly don't crush yourself under the pressure of going to everything. Like one poster said, 16 interviews?? That's a lot! You could do two a week and be going for two months! I can't imagine the cost of that.

 

[bigdan]

I was in your shoes not too long ago. I found a school that I believe to be my number one, and I had interviewed at 7 others. I think that I would be happy at 6 of those 8 schools. So I DID cancel my other interviews. Saved me both time and money.

I compared what the schools that I was cancelling (Albany and Maryland, BTW) with the reasons that I wanted to be there. Albany is an upstate NY school, so good location. But I got in at Upstate, and Upstate is MUCH cheaper, so Albany was gone. Maryland was also of good location, but I am an out-of-stater and that would have increased my tuition and lowered my chances of getting accepted there. And I did get in at EVMS. So Maryland was gone.

I say you should still go to Mich if you don't already have a number one school that you'd love to go to. But if you're in at your number one or are short on dough, I'd definitely understand cancelling. The bottom line is that you're in SOMEWHERE (you're gonna be a doctor!), so do what feels right to you. You're in a great situation.

dc

 

[VFrank]

if you're still at NW, that's just a 3 hour drive to Ann Arbor. I would go and check it out.

No, it's over my Winter Break, so I have to fly from Colorado.

 

[VFrank]

BTW, did you ever hear anything back from NW?

Nope. Northwestern still hates me.

 

[sockandmittens]

After my acceptance actually at michigan 😉 i cancelled a bunch of others that i was less interested in, i had one which i could go either way on and i errored on the safe side and went and found yes, don't my thing, but oh well. i think if you know what you want, ditch them!

 

[45408]

Nope. Northwestern still hates me.

GPA too low, you think?

 

[constructor]

come on man, it's michigan and you're not too far away from them. definitely go to it, it's a better school than rochester and you might even change your mind after visiting. i myself have this situation but with three really ****ty and pathetic schools in temple, nymc, and st. louis. i wish i could have your interview if you just want to throw it away... 😉

 

[YzIa]

come on man, it's michigan and you're not too far away from them. definitely go to it, it's a better school than rochester and you might even change your mind after visiting. i myself have this situation but with three really ****ty and pathetic schools in temple, nymc, and st. louis. i wish i could have your interview if you just want to throw it away... 😉

What's so bad about Temple, NYMC, and SLU again? 😛

 

[bidster]

I understand where you're coming from....I got an invite from NYU when I was already *in* New York for two other interviews, and when I called they said they couldn't fit me in for the time that I was there. I'm planning on cancelling NYU because travelling to and staying in NY is so draining... mentally, physically, and financially.

However...I wouldn't throw out UMich solely because it's more research-heavy. A lot of great research schools still produce clinicians. Just something to think about....good luck whatever you decide! Not a bad position to be in 😉

 

[jhugti]

Michigan reallyimpressed me... I was actually admitted to my first choice school DURING the UMich interview day, but still felt myself gathering a lot of information about the school and really liking what I saw.

That said, don't go with the mindset that you don't like the school. It would be a waste of time to walk around telling yourself from the start that you aren't interested in a place becase theres little to no chance ANY interview day could create a 180 degree turn in your preconcieved ideas.