At the conclusion of a clinical interview day I've been invited to, my POI is hoping to take me and the other candidates, as well as his graduate students, out for drinks. I'll be traveling a couple of hours to the interview, and I'm scheduled to work when I get home that evening. I could possibly find a way out of work if need be. What are your thoughts on the ramifications of missing this end-of-day event? Would it have any bearing on an admission decision?
Importance of attending social function
- Thread starter DanM
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No one besides the POI can say for certain, but I'd be surprised if it was factored into the admissions decision at all, especially if you let them know that it's because you need to get back for work. I think the main downside would just be your spending less time getting to know these folks in a more informal setting.
Thanks for your input. It would be difficult for me to get out of work, but not impossible. I should mention this is my second year in a row interviewing with this POI, so he's not unfamiliar with me. There seems to be a few unwritten rules when it comes to the application/interview process, so I don't want to commit a faux pas if it turns out I can't make the social event.
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For what it's worth, my research mentor just recently told me that she was hesitant about accepting me based on the interview alone bc I was pretty nervous, but after interacting with me at the social function, changed her mind. (We had this conversation bc I'm now a 5th year who just finished the internship interview process.)
That could also work against me if I were to say something to sabotage my chances 😛. Seriously though, it has crossed my mind that I might lose an opportunity to present a different side of myself that could help in the decision-making process.
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My opinion about this depends on whether it's a general program/department event or just your POI and his/her grad students going out for drinks with interviewees. (I couldn't tell for sure based on your post, though it seemed like the latter.) In the first scenario, I'd say no big deal; in the second, I'd strongly encourage you to go. Just my two cents!
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I think you need to attend the social function. To be honest, such events as still part of the interview, regardless of what anyone says. It is your chance to go out and demonstrate that you can get along with your future colleagues outside of the academic setting. You get to show a different side of yourself; you get to talk about the world, your hobbies, and life experiences in a different way. Find a way to get out of work, go to the social event, and have a little fun.
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I would definitely go to the function. It will play into who gets an offer.
Good luck!
Dr. E
Good luck!
Dr. E
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I'm in a similar--but different--situation and this reply makes me nervous 🙁. My POI is taking out interviewees after the day is over, and I originally said I would go. But my partner's father passed away, and the visitation is for that evening, so I'd have to leave right after my last interview of the day to make it. This school is my top choice and want to do everything I can to get the offer, but family has to come first. I really hope it doesn't play a large role...
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I still say I'd be surprised if missing out on a social event would have a significant effect on rankings, particularly for reasons like those mentioned above. I know it didn't in my program, but I suppose every lab/POI is different.
That makes sense also, considering I'll be spending about 30 mins with each grad student throughout the day, along with an informal lunch. Getting out of work would involve some stress, but it would be worth it if it increased my chances of getting in.
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Smaller gatherings with just your POI and his/her grad students will allow for a lot more direct conversation to get to know each other. I think you can gain invaluable insight through this type of interaction and also make a more memorable impression on your POI. Just my opinion, of course.
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I think matching in terms of personality etc is every bit as important as your research mach and how you do in the interview. You will be spending a lot of time with these people in and outside of the lab and the POI wants to know that they can maintain a conversation on flights to conferences, etc.
This might not be fair, but the social component to business, academia, etc., can't be underestimated, in my opinion.
P.S. one of the grad students in my lab told me that they were hesitant to accept her because she stayed with a friend the night of the interview instead of one of the students.. This is, of course, only one situation, so take it for what it's worth.
This might not be fair, but the social component to business, academia, etc., can't be underestimated, in my opinion.
P.S. one of the grad students in my lab told me that they were hesitant to accept her because she stayed with a friend the night of the interview instead of one of the students.. This is, of course, only one situation, so take it for what it's worth.
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Not to hijack this thread, but what are people's thoughts on how a situation like mine--missing a social because of a funeral visitation--will affect perceptions of me?
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I'd be shocked if, with that reasoning, it affected anyone's perceptions...and quite frankly, those aren't the kinds of folks I'd want to work with anyway.
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yeah, make sure people know that that's the reason--no one will think you're stuck up for missing a mixer because of a funeral. People would probably be a little weirded out if they knew you were missing your partner's father's funeral for a mixer. Just do your best to get make yourself memorable, because even though people (who aren't idk sociopaths) won't be thinking less of you for attending a funeral instead, it does mean you have less time to make an impression.
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Oh, I hope you're right!
It's been my experience that even the social events (i.e., dinner with grad students, etc.) are scheduled; I would hope that, if an impromptu thing does come up, they respect you for being a responsible individual and getting back to your job.
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I didn't go to social events and I got in.
I don't think it matters, people understand that you have travel arrangements, etc. If you can go out with your POI for something more intimate, that could be a good opportunity, but I can't imagine it negatively afffecting you if you have a reason you can't make it (e.g., travel plans).
I don't think it matters, people understand that you have travel arrangements, etc. If you can go out with your POI for something more intimate, that could be a good opportunity, but I can't imagine it negatively afffecting you if you have a reason you can't make it (e.g., travel plans).
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That's been my experience as well--while it can potentially help you (e.g., maybe you really strike up a good conversation with your POI or a current grad student who then goes to bat for you during the decision meeting), but I'd be surprised if it actually actively hurts many people not to go. I've personally never heard of someone not getting an offer based on that, unless the refusal was done in way in keeping with other observed characterological...issues.
Not to say it doesn't ever happen, but I just can't see it weighing super-heavily into the decision process.
Oh, and yes, even the social events are typically scheduled; they know you have travel arrangements to make, so they try to help you plan accordingly.
