How do you all save money for interviews?

[foodishgood]

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So I got some interviews and all of them happen to be out of state, these travel expenses are milking my bank account! I'm going to have a collector show up my door and sell my kidneys before I even get in pharmacy school! What are some ways you all do to save money?

Here's what I do
- Book early for flight
- I only stay at the hotel 1 day before my interview
- I stay at the closest hotel possible, sometimes they have shuttle services
- Depending on road conditions, I take the cab because I'm afraid to drive in the snow

 

[radio frequency]

I don't know that there's a way to save money traveling out of state. You could potentially stay at a youth hostel or take a cab rather than rent a car...one sure way to cut down on costs if you are pretty sure you'll be accepted is to only apply places within driving distance of where you live (~1/2 day away or less)...

 

[y0ssarian87]

So I got some interviews and all of them happen to be out of state, these travel expenses are milking my bank account! I'm going to have a collector show up my door and sell my kidneys before I even get in pharmacy school! What are some ways you all do to save money?

Here's what I do
- Book early for flight
- I only stay at the hotel 1 day before my interview
- I stay at the closest hotel possible, sometimes they have shuttle services
- Depending on road conditions, I take the cab because I'm afraid to drive in the snow

These are all good tips that I've used.

The schools have sent me information about discounted rates at hotels surrounding the school. However, I've found that my alma mater's alumni association gets deeply discounted rates for hotels around the world, and the rates I've gotten through them are much more competitive (though I have to prepay).

I've also been lucky enough to have a flexible schedule that allows me to get bumped from flights, so I've gotten a couple travel vouchers that have paid for flights. Also, I've asked my family of they have any to spare, and I've gotten a couple that way.

Lastly, I looked into public transportation at a couple of the schools. Using public transportation saved me over $75, and I found it (surprisingly) more convenient. This really depends on the city though.

 

[PharmtoCS]

I've taken public transportation several times to save money. If you can, try to book a hotel that offers complimentary shuttle rides to the airport and school so that you save money from having to rent a car. Rentals can be extremely expensive if you're under 25.

When given the option, try to schedule your interviews for the middle of the week. Flights tend to be cheaper Tuesday-Thursday.

I've also stayed overnight at an airport for a 6 am flight the day after my interview. It saved me a decent amount of money because it was in a fairly expensive city, but it definitely wasn't comfortable.

 

[714]

Stay at the cheapest possible motel and hope you don't bring bed bugs home with you.

Red eye flight to your interview, leave right after and avoid hotel costs all together.

Don't eat. Anything.

Save bundles of $$$

 

[88888888]

I've spent over 3000 on interviews so far..

Sent from my Nexus 4 using SDN Mobile

 

[PreciousRoy]

One option is don't go to school anywhere that has snow. That was one of my criteria and I couldn't have been happier with the results.

Also if your hotel has complementary breakfast, swipe some of that stuff. It tastes the same as other food except it's free.

 

[The Recoverer]

One option is don't go to school anywhere that has snow.

..... what he is saying is to only apply to florida schools....and maybe that one random school in hawaii that no one knows about. oh wait nvm. hawaii actually had a blizzard in June of last year..

 

[The Recoverer]

Don't eat. Anything.

You need to eat. You need food to think. never underestimate the power of a full stomach. I went to my first interview on an empty one, the interviewers actually heard me grumble during the interview and I could not remember a thing.

 

[foodishgood]

One option is don't go to school anywhere that has snow. That was one of my criteria and I couldn't have been happier with the results.

Also if your hotel has complementary breakfast, swipe some of that stuff. It tastes the same as other food except it's free.

LOL I just snatched some apples from breakfast! got to stay alive during these hard times!

..... what he is saying is to only apply to florida schools....and maybe that one random school in hawaii that no one knows about. oh wait nvm. hawaii actually had a blizzard in June of last year..

Hey! I applied to that random school! 🙂 When I submitted my supplements, I was picturing myself reading pharmacy textbooks on a beach.

I've taken public transportation several times to save money. If you can, try to book a hotel that offers complimentary shuttle rides to the airport and school so that you save money from having to rent a car. Rentals can be extremely expensive if you're under 25.

When given the option, try to schedule your interviews for the middle of the week. Flights tend to be cheaper Tuesday-Thursday.

I've also stayed overnight at an airport for a 6 am flight the day after my interview. It saved me a decent amount of money because it was in a fairly expensive city, but it definitely wasn't comfortable.

Good tip on the Tues - Thursday! I just noticed those prices over kayak.com But staying in the airport till 6am is pretty hardcore, it's like that movie "The Terminal"

 

[714]

You need to eat. You need food to think. never underestimate the power of a full stomach. I went to my first interview on an empty one, the interviewers actually heard me grumble during the interview and I could not remember a thing.

I was kidding but you're right. Hopefully your hotel provides a free breakfast. Might be crappy but it's something.

 

[The Recoverer]

I was kidding but you're right. Hopefully your hotel provides a free breakfast. Might be crappy but it's something.

hahah wow sorry 714. Sarcasm is hard to detect when it's in writing. Kinda chuckled at your comment now that I've read it jokingly hahaha

 

[Sugoi Travis]

never underestimate the power of a full stomach

Indeed; never underestimate the power, whether good or bad, of a full stomach.

*rips a big one that even the gods can hear* 😱 /end sarcasm

 

[confettiflyer]

Same advice I give resident interviewees:

1) fly out immediately after your interview (saves a night of hotel)
2) use Priceline smartly...some hotels may be cheap but charge a ton for parking (valet only) or require you to rent a car in the first place due to distance.
3) look at alternate airports
4) don't cheap out on flights....missed connections = missed interview
5) use any banked airline miles since usually you'll only have a week or two notice
6) utilize the latest interview day you can but note some schools are rolling admit
7) use Costco to book cars (be a member or bug a friend), or use autoslash

Links I use:

Kayak for airfare
Costcotravel.com for car
Autoslash for car discount tracking
HotelTonight app for discount hotels same day
Priceline

 

[bacillus1]

If you open a credit card with Delta, it gives you 20000 miles and no annual fee for the first year. Also, if you have a delta credit card, you can use miles to paly for parts of flight cost, so you don't have to accumulate miles to cover the full flight. So open the card, use it, and then close it within a year of opening it. This can save you up to 20 bucks if Delta flies to where you're interviewing. Last year I got a $16 flight this way. Don't do it too many times though, becayse then it may mess up your credit history a bit.

 

[confettiflyer]

So open the card, use it, and then close it within a year of opening it. This can save you up to 20 bucks if Delta flies to where you're interviewing. Last year I got a $16 flight this way. Don't do it too many times though, becayse then it may mess up your credit history a bit.

Don't close the card, I'd suggest leaving it open to keep your utilization ratio good....unless the annual fee on the card is onerous, then yeah shut that puppy down.

 

[bacillus1]

Don't close the card, I'd suggest leaving it open to keep your utilization ratio good....unless the annual fee on the card is onerous, then yeah shut that puppy down.

I closed it. I figure I don't fully utilize my other credit card, so my utilization ratio still won't be terrible (like 20% or so). I didn't know about utilization ratios the 2 times I did this, and don't plan on doing it again.

 

[foodishgood]

I closed it. I figure I don't fully utilize my other credit card, so my utilization ratio still won't be terrible (like 20% or so). I didn't know about utilization ratios the 2 times I did this, and don't plan on doing it again.

Does that ruin your credit score?

 

[bacillus1]

Does that ruin your credit score?

I think if you do it once, and you don't max out your other credit cards, you'll be OK.

 

[xtsukiyox]

Does that ruin your credit score?

Decreases your "time in file," which can make your credit look younger or more stressed than it is. Especially with younger folks, who may only have a handful of accounts, opening new ones has to be balanced carefully.

..... what he is saying is to only apply to florida schools....and maybe that one random school in hawaii that no one knows about. oh wait nvm. hawaii actually had a blizzard in June of last year..

Cross out Phoenix. It snowed here last week. 😛

 

[ws2016]

Prioritize interviews, look at schools with rolling admissions and the one you really want APPLY TO THOSE FIRST. Stagger your admissions so you hear back from some before going to others. When you get into one, cancel the interviews for the schools you rank lower. Also schedule interviews close together, If you are working and can do 2 interviews close together you can cut down time off. Beyond booking flights ahead, driving to interviews, there is nothing you can do. Unfortunately, the interview process will suck up your money.

 

[missdoctorkitty]

If you have to stay overnight at the airport to save on hotel cost, bring a sleeping bag in your rolling luggage bag. Much more comfortable then trying to find a decent position in a airport chair!!

 

[PharmtoCS]

If you have to stay overnight at the airport to save on hotel cost, bring a sleeping bag in your rolling luggage bag. Much more comfortable then trying to find a decent position in a airport chair!!

I thought about doing that as well. Unfortunately, that would have required me to check luggage, which would have cost me another $25, not to mention having to lug it around as I take public transportation.

 

[The Recoverer]

I gave up on the "saving money for the pharmacy school application process" thing months ago. Already dropped close to 2 grand on applying. hell what;s anotehr 400 in airfair...sigh*

 

[foreverstud]

I thought schools usually pays for flight tickets.. i guess they changed the rules huh

 

[owlegrad]

I thought schools usually pays for flight tickets.. i guess they changed the rules huh

hahahahahahahaahhaha

Good one 👍

 

[The Recoverer]

I thought schools usually pays for flight tickets.. i guess they changed the rules huh

you should change your username to foreverwrong

 

[confettiflyer]

I thought schools usually pays for flight tickets.. i guess they changed the rules huh

hahahahhahaha.....

....hahahhahahahaha

 

[confettiflyer]

If you have to stay overnight at the airport to save on hotel cost, bring a sleeping bag in your rolling luggage bag. Much more comfortable then trying to find a decent position in a airport chair!!

C'mon guys...don't cheap out, this is pretty dumb. If you do this before your interview, you'll feel like crap and it'll show; if you do this after...this is stupid too, interviews don't go *that* late so you should be able to get back to the airport and fly out right after.

 

[foreverstud]

well sorrry.. i knew two recent pharmacist who got their tickets paid for.. so i just assumed. One went to appalachian

 

[bp2313]

It costs $ but I recommend you to rent a car for 1 day to check out the town. Look around for apartments (actually go in to inspect), shopping center, transportation, etc.

 

[sparkle1983]

I chose to apply to schools within driving distance (7-8 hours for me) or in a city where I knew a few people I could stay with and that could chauffeur me around. That way I saved money no matter where I went.

I also saved $600 booking with Kayak.com and flying out of a city about 2 hours away from me.

I never compromise on hotel quality, but I do make sure to use any discount I can think of - usually my teacher discount. If you are a guest of some schools, hotels in the area may offer you a discount as well. I mentioned the school's name where I was interviewing at one place and saved $50 a night. You will also get better deals calling the hotels directly rather than using a 1-800-number that's on the website.

These are the main things that helped me, in addition to working two jobs (80+ hours a week) for a month to save some extra cash.

 

[bacillus1]

It costs $ but I recommend you to rent a car for 1 day to check out the town. Look around for apartments (actually go in to inspect), shopping center, transportation, etc.

Or figure out the bus routes if the school is in a city/town that has public transportation, however limited. Cheaper than a car rental and still gets the job done

 

[confettiflyer]

Or figure out the bus routes if the school is in a city/town that has public transportation, however limited. Cheaper than a car rental and still gets the job done

Be careful with this...I consider myself savvy with public transport, but if you're in a time-sensitive situation or arriving into a city after-dark, it changes the calculus of things so paying booku bucks for Uber/Lyft or a cab might actually be worth it.

Example: Me flying into Philadelphia for an interview and taking the airport train to 30th street station when my hotel was on 18th & Chestnut. On paper, looks like a manageable walk, but it was a rainy/cold January night, my flight was delayed, and I had come unprepared for drenching rain from California.

Had I not made friends with locals on the plane, I would have walked 1.2 miles and been soaked/sick/tired. They kindly informed me that the train continued on and got me within 2 blocks of my hotel. Even then, I was soaked.

Train = $7
Taxi = $28


Or the time I flew to London, cheaped out, and spent like 90mins in the tube instead of taking the Heathrow Express. What a time waste.

 

[owlegrad]

Or the time I flew to London, cheaped out, and spent like 90mins in the tube instead of taking the Heathrow Express. What a time waste.

How did you spend 90 minutes in the tube?! My experience with the tube was very different, I found it very efficient.

 

[confettiflyer]

How did you spend 90 minutes in the tube?! My experience with the tube was very different, I found it very efficient.

Oh I love the tube...I just arrived late and factoring in the wait times and the stops (I had to go far) + transfer, total time in tube was like 90 mins.

Maybe I'm overestimating, that was a while ago, haha.