how to request time off work for interview?

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InquisitiveGuy

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How would you request time off for a medical school interview (1 day) if your job requires a valid reason, and would look down on the interview since it would indicate that I might leave soon?
 
How would you request time off for a medical school interview (1 day) if your job requires a valid reason, and would look down on the interview since it would indicate that I might leave soon?

You can't just take annual leave, a vacation day, a personal day, or whatever your organization calls it? If not, I'd say something along the lines of "Look, I've applied to medical school. I've wanted to be a doctor for quite some time, and I'd appreciate you letting me have a day off so I can go to the medical school and interview. (wait for confirmation and if nothing) The majority of applicants don't even get an interview, and the fact that I've been offered one is a huge plus and a major step for my being accepted and thus becoming a doctor."

If that doesn't work....quit.
 
Tell them you have a doctor's appointment. Not a lie - you'll probably be interviewing with at least a couple of physicians.
 
My situation was different from InquisitiveGuys, but for others reading the thread that might have similar concerns but different situations...

I worked in the public health field in a position in which every person before me had left after a couple years to go to med school, so I was always open with my bosses about doing post-bac.

But, during Apps I left that job and took another, in August before interview season. I told them upfront in my interviews that I would have to take time off to go to interviews. This was a job overseas and thus interviews could possibly require multiple trips of 3-7 days. They needed to fill the position and liked me, so accepted. It worked out fine.

I think whenever possible being upfront is great, but of course not always an option. In certain fields though, your bosses will be thrilled to hear about your plans to go to medical school and go far to support you.
 
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