Interview Scheduling Conflict Advice

[walesxraine]

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Hey all,

So I've been invited for 2 interviews that overlap by a day. Now for lots of background! The first is a Thursday-Friday, and the second is a Friday-Saturday event. At the first school they have a social event on Thursday, then interviews, campus tour, student Q&A and another social event on Friday. The second school is about 4 hours away (I'd be driving to both anyway), and starts with a lab meeting and dinner with professors on Friday, then actual interviews on Saturday. However, my POI at this school just had a baby, and if I miss this dinner I probably won't be able to make up face time, so I will only really get to talk to them at the actual interview. I can leave the first school early on Friday, thereby missing campus tour, Q&A and happy hour, but probably making dinner at the second school.

Should I leave my interviews at the first school early to have more time at my second school? Also, I'd prefer to be admitted to my second school, based on location and POI, but I don't want to throw away the interview at the other school either. Would leaving early really hurt my chances at the first school?

Second, less important question: I've been in a really casual work environment for the past couple of years. As far as attire, will everyone be wearing suits? Is a dress acceptable, provided that it's business appropriate? I bought interview clothes years ago when I first graduated undergrad but now I'm worried they will be too casual.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[cara susanna]

Pretty much everyone wears a suit.

 

[bre333]

When you say "leave your interviews" at the first school, do you mean actually bow out of the interviewing session early, or do you mean skip the tour and social event on Friday?

 

[walesxraine]

Skip the tour and Q&A and what not. My actual interviews will be finished earlier in the afternoon.

 

[Lisa44201]

It might hurt your chances in that the first school will have less time to get an idea of how you'll fit into the program; I don't think it'll be a negative, as such, just less opportunities for positives.

Dress up. Most folks will be in suits; business casual is too casual.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

When are the tour and Q&A? Could you not stick around for those, then leave either Thursday night or Friday morning to get to the second program in time for dinner?

I don't really think there'd be any negative consequences for skipping out on a happy hour, other than (as mentioned above) additional time to make a positive impression and to get to know the students in a less-formal setting.

Missing the Q&A is slightly less-ideal, but again, so long as you aren't missing actual interviews, there shouldn't be any red flags thrown up.

Oh, and yes, wear a suit.