interviews while FT work

[757sharp]

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So I am currently working full time and am applying to schools all over the place. I really want to get into dental school this year, so I am going to as many interviews as I can. Not saying that I can, but what if I end up going to 10+ interviews this cycle? What do I say or do to get that much time off of work? Also, are interviews usually scheduled on Mondays and Fridays, or is it pretty sporadic throughout the week?

 

[spearmint]

Interview dates are pretty sporadic, but schools usually give you a few options to choose from. You certainly have a little bit of say in that regard. However, keep in mind that some schools have a fast turn around time for admission offers, so it would be best to interview earlier rather than later. Other schools admit in batches after each month. So plan accordingly.

Tip: Try to schedule the school that you're not as interested in to be your very first interview. It helps get the jitters out and hopefully help you better prepare for other interviews from schools that you're more interested in.

As far as asking time off from work, I'm assuming your employer knows your professional goals and are supportive? If so, I would just tell them the truth. You're applying to dental school and would be expecting to take some time off sporadically throughout the next few months for interviews but will make sure to stay on top of your work obligations and take care of necessary issues before you have to take a leave. If they're not supportive, then you would have to get creative and use sick days.

 

[dentalWorks]

So I am currently working full time and am applying to schools all over the place. I really want to get into dental school this year, so I am going to as many interviews as I can. Not saying that I can, but what if I end up going to 10+ interviews this cycle? What do I say or do to get that much time off of work? Also, are interviews usually scheduled on Mondays and Fridays, or is it pretty sporadic throughout the week?

I dunno if you NEED to go to that many interviews. I had 8 but only went to 5 (where 3 I drove to ~ 2 being in-state) and I still thought it was very costly.

Each interview you fly&hotel will cost you between $400-500.

If you apply early and have good numbers, most of your interviews will happen between Late August till November-December period. And no, interviews aren't scheduled on "good" days, they are very random, and sometimes you have no choice....

Well as far as your job goes, even if you had 10 interviews, just take 10 sick days. Many times schools give you a good heads up (minimum I've seen is like 2-3 weeks, and most notify you within a month a head of time)... so you have plenty of time to plan it. If not sick days, how about vacation days? many jobs give employs # of vacation days per year. spread it out between sick and vacation days.

 

[DentToBeCont]

Does your work know your intention of attending Dental School next year? I was upfront with my employer during my interview about possibly only being here for 1 year, and that during the months of Sep-Jan I may need to take off 1-2 days for interviews. It worked out very nice for me. This also made giving my quitting date alot easier. In fact, this Wednesday is my last day and they are taking me out to a VERY nice lunch today to celebrate my accomplishment.

Just saying that a little honesty goes along way sometimes. However, playing hooky is pretty fun game too.

 

[Maygyver]

You will usually have at least a couple of weeks of notice before interviews. Like dw said, you really shouldn't need to go to 10 interviews. Most of them will be on weekends so you just have to be smart about flights or scheduling and you should be pretty good. I think the only difficult interview I had (planning-wise) was getting to the west coast from the Midwest. If you apply to schools near you, there really shouldn't be too much trouble.

 

[dantemac]

I own my own business, so I schedule myself. I win.