how to decline interviews

Started by ballyhoo
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ballyhoo

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Hi,

What is the politest way to withdraw applications/decline interviews? Is email fine, or would a phone call be better?

Thanks!
 
Hi,

What is the politest way to withdraw applications/decline interviews? Is email fine, or would a phone call be better?

Thanks!

I sent an email that basically said

Thank you for the opportunity to interview at your institution. I am unable to attend this interview for XXX reason. Please allow someone else the opportunity to fill this interview spot.

I was looking forward to interviewing at your school for XXX reasons. It is my hope that your fill your class with highly qualified applicants.

Thank you for your time.

dsoz

I sent a similar email to several schools for canceling interviews, and yesterday I declined two acceptances this way because I was accepted at my top choice school. The two schools where I declined were my choice #3 and #4. Yesterday I also canceled a wait-list position at my #2 school.
 
I emailed, but prepared to get no response. I emailed a school a couple weeks before my interview and got no response. Then after the interview they email me that i had a 'no-show status'. Obviously. So then I emailed them back letting them know that I apologize, but that I had emailed them in advance. Still no response. This was over a month ago. I guess their swamped with emails and what not.