Interview Overlap: Help!

[applesauce14]

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Hello, so I am scheduled for an MD/PhD interview that is two days long. I was just invited for another interview on the same two days. This program only does interviews twice, and they are already booked for the first session. So those two days would be my only option. I really don't want to have to cancel my other interviews, because they have already been scheduled for a long time. Is it appropriate to email admissions and ask if there is anything they can do to accommodate my situation? Should I say that it is because I have another interview, or is it better to keep it vague and just say I have a conflict? Thank you!

 

[KnightDoc]

Wow! Is it really two and done for the second program? Seems kind of restrictive since desirable candidates such as yourself are likely to have conflicts during the height of the interview season.

If so, you don't have much choice other than to ask the first program to move. It sucks that you already scheduled it, and you definitely should NOT tell them you want to move to accommodate an II at another program. What will you do if the first program also has no more slots to offer?

 

[applesauce14]

Wow! Is it really two and done for the second program? Seems kind of restrictive since desirable candidates such as yourself are likely to have conflicts during the height of the interview season.

If so, you don't have much choice other than to ask the first program to move. It sucks that you already scheduled it, and you definitely should NOT tell them you want to move to accommodate an II at another program. What will you do if the first program also has no more slots to offer?

I actually meant, should I email the second program and tell them I already have an interview that day, and see if there is anything they can do to accommodate me for their other session? Is it bad to tell them I have an interview elsewhere?

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

I actually meant, should I email the second program and tell them I already have an interview that day, and see if there is anything they can do to accommodate me for their other session? Is it bad to tell them I have an interview elsewhere?

Just email and ask.

 

[KnightDoc]

I actually meant, should I email the second program and tell them I already have an interview that day, and see if there is anything they can do to accommodate me for their other session? Is it bad to tell them I have an interview elsewhere?

Oh, I misunderstood since you started out by saying they had no alternative. Sure, I'd definitely start with them. It's better to mention to II with them, since it came first, but it's still a touchy topic, so it's probably better to stay away from that and just stick to you are very excited about the their but have a scheduling conflict, and are hoping they can offer you another date before you try to move the conflict.

 

[GoSpursGo]

There's nothing to do other than ask one of the two programs to switch your interview day.

 

[jhmmd]

Hello, so I am scheduled for an MD/PhD interview that is two days long. I was just invited for another interview on the same two days. This program only does interviews twice, and they are already booked for the first session. So those two days would be my only option. I really don't want to have to cancel my other interviews, because they have already been scheduled for a long time. Is it appropriate to email admissions and ask if there is anything they can do to accommodate my situation? Should I say that it is because I have another interview, or is it better to keep it vague and just say I have a conflict? Thank you!

So the general rule for things like this is to stick to your prior engagement

 

[applesauce14]

So What is the general consensus? Is it oK to tell the second program I already have an interview scheduled and ask if there are any other options to accommodate my schedule?

 

[GoSpursGo]

So What is the general consensus? Is it oK to tell the second program I already have an interview scheduled and ask if there are any other options to accommodate my schedule?

What exactly are you waiting for us to tell you? You cannot be in multiple places at the same time. You need to ask one of them if they would be willing to reschedule you. They may say no, and then you lose out on an interview, but there isn't some magical alternate option. The sooner you reach out, the better your chances of having an accommodation.

 

[candbgirl]

I actually meant, should I email the second program and tell them I already have an interview that day, and see if there is anything they can do to accommodate me for their other session? Is it bad to tell them I have an interview elsewhere?

Why would it be bad? Schools know you are going to interview wherever you can. Contact the second school and ask them if you can switch. If they want to to interview it shouldn’t be an issue. You can’t be the only person with a conflict. Good luck.