interview scheduling issues

[kaos]

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So I unfortunately have had to schedule interviews in way different parts of the country for consecutive days. For example, I have an interview in New Jersey on a Friday, and have to be in Kansas on Saturday. I have one in Connecticut on another Friday, and have to be in Texas the day after. Is it doable, or should I try to reschedule? If anything, I'd be missing those interview dinners. Is this poor form?

 

[filter07]

If you can re-schedule without too much difficulty then I think you should. I don't think it's a huge deal to shift a few interview dates as long as you give programs enough notice and they have spots open. I'm trying as hard as I can to make all the pre-interview dinners.

 

[boston]

Missing the pre-interview dinner won't count against you. They aren't taking attendance and understand if you have scheduling conflicts with other interviews. That said, you should try to make as many as possible because it gives you more exposure to potential colleagues you'll be working with the next 5 years and more chance to get a "flavor" for the program. When it comes time to make the rank list, you'll want all the information you can gather.

 

[Winged Scapula]

So I unfortunately have had to schedule interviews in way different parts of the country for consecutive days. For example, I have an interview in New Jersey on a Friday, and have to be in Kansas on Saturday. I have one in Connecticut on another Friday, and have to be in Texas the day after. Is it doable, or should I try to reschedule? If anything, I'd be missing those interview dinners. Is this poor form?

If you have to miss the interview dinners, so be it. Many do, although they are a great way to see the program in a more relaxed setting.

The traveling is hard and the trouble with going to places back to back is that if your flight is delayed or even cancelled (not unheard of during the winter season), you could miss an interview entirely. Therefore, whenever possible try to have a few days between interviews.

We understand if you have to miss interview dinners or leave early - especially in New Jersey where the rush hour traffic can make trips to the airport horrible (I hope your flight to Kansas leaves late!).

Your schedule, of what we know of it, seems doable, but leaves little room for error, lost luggage, flight delays, etc.

 

[Spooky]

I go from boston to atlanta to NYC in the span of 4 days, all three are top schools for me and there's no other good time. Am going to be broke!!!

 

[kaos]

We understand if you have to miss interview dinners or leave early - especially in New Jersey where the rush hour traffic can make trips to the airport horrible (I hope your flight to Kansas leaves late!).

Speaking of which, my Jersey interview ends at 1:30 pm. Is it possible to make it from Monmouth to Newark safely in time for a 3:10 pm flight? Or is that cutting it really close? I have no idea what traffic is like in that area during that time of day on a Friday.

 

[Entei]

Speaking of which, my Jersey interview ends at 1:30 pm. Is it possible to make it from Monmouth to Newark safely in time for a 3:10 pm flight? Or is that cutting it really close? I have no idea what traffic is like in that area during that time of day on a Friday.

Cutting it really close, IMO. Even without traffic, it would be tough to make it in time.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Speaking of which, my Jersey interview ends at 1:30 pm. Is it possible to make it from Monmouth to Newark safely in time for a 3:10 pm flight? Or is that cutting it really close? I have no idea what traffic is like in that area during that time of day on a Friday.

Traffic in north Jersey is ALWAYS bad, and especially bad on Fridays.

You will not make it to Newark in time to check in, go through security and get to your gate, IMHO. Its about 50 miles from Long Branch to Newark, you'll have to stop at the tolls on the parkway, etc.

I think you will either have to take a later flight or leave your interview early.

 

[kaos]

Traffic in north Jersey is ALWAYS bad, and especially bad on Fridays.

You will not make it to Newark in time to check in, go through security and get to your gate, IMHO. Its about 50 miles from Long Branch to Newark, you'll have to stop at the tolls on the parkway, etc.

I think you will either have to take a later flight or leave your interview early.

Thanks, guys. Pm'ed you, Dr. Cox.

 

[cilia2007]

I go from boston to atlanta to NYC in the span of 4 days, all three are top schools for me and there's no other good time. Am going to be broke!!!

I go from Northern CA (parents' home) to NYU to USC on consecutive days...I have a feeling this interview trail will set me back about $2K. But at least I'll be making the BIG bucks come June...(NOT!)🙄