professional courtesy: how bad is this?

[epsilonprodigy]

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I am thinking of cancelling one of my interviews at a "safety" school, because I have a bunch of interviews at several schools I like more, and have been accepted to two schools that I like more (one of which I will very likely end up matriculating at.)

The problem is, for this particular school (the one I want to cancel) a colleague who is an alum sent them an email a few months back to put in a good word for me. They emailed her back and told her that they already knew I would be getting an interview, it was just a matter of sorting through papers, etc. At the time, I was really excited because I only had 1-2 interviews and would have been happy to go anywhere!

Another co-worker recently told me a story about how she recommended someone for a residency spot and was kind of pissed when that person backed out.She phrased it as "I can only recommend people so many times...." and felt that she had used up some of her influence for nothing. Would it be rude toward my co-worker to cancel this interview?

 

[pre med 2014]

It depends how good you are at acting.

 

[ADolefulDream]

If it doesn't cost to much to go, I would just go to the interview.

 

[GimpGenius]

If it's not insanely expensive to go for the interview, I'd say go for it. You wouldn't be losing anything but a few hours of your time, and you wouldn't be spoiling your co-workers ability to recommend other people down the line (and by association, spoiling someone else's chances down the line).

Bottom line, IMO: You committed on multiple fronts, so see it through.

 

[epsilonprodigy]

Crud, that's what I was afraid of. LOL. It's a seven hour drive though! But whatev, I don't want to screw anybody or hurt anyone's feelings.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

If it's not insanely expensive to go for the interview, I'd say go for it. You wouldn't be losing anything but a few hours of your time, and you wouldn't be spoiling your co-workers ability to recommend other people down the line (and by association, spoiling someone else's chances down the line).

Bottom line, IMO: You committed on multiple fronts, so see it through.

This.👍

 

[NickNaylor]

Yes, you would be throwing your coworker under the bus by not going. How would you feel if you used your influence to vouch for someone and they didn't follow through?

 

[deleted307836]

I would definitely go.

 

[LizzyM]

Don't go. It wastes everyone's time. You would have gotten an interview anyway so the "good word" was unnecessary. Plus, adcoms expect, and even prefer, that applicants who have lost interest NOT come for an interview rather than show up to be polite all the while thinking "no way I'd come here".

 

[TexasPhysician]

I agree with NOT going. This sort of thing happens all the time. Don't waste your money and the school's time. Thank your friend - maybe get him/her a small gift for your appreciation and enjoy your acceptances.

 

[sirenomelia]

Go to the interview unless you have something more important going on or you are 100% certain on your choice already. You might be surprised and find you like it more than you expected or even discover a scholarship available. Its also good to check the area/ place out for a possible residency/ job down the road. Nothing to lose except a little time. Interview practice is also underated.

 

[organdonor]

I don't see the point in going. You are wasting your time and the interviewers--provided that you already have an acceptance at another school you'd rather go to. They might still be able to extend an interview offer to someone who would very much appreciate it. I agree with another poster that a small gift would be a good courtesy to your "in."

Think about it. You go to the interview to be polite to your coworker and feign interest. Someone at the interview picks up on that and then reports it back to your coworker. Then you are even worse off than in the first place and you still wasted your afternoon. Just be honest and tell him that you very much appreciate his reference but you will be going to x school instead of y. Reason optional.

 

[deleted307836]

🙂 I rescind my earlier suggestion. What LizzyM and the others said makes sense. I would still go though if there is a chance you may want to attend the school... but if you're absolutely sure you're not I guess you would be wasting your interviewers' time.

 

[typicalindian]

If you go and get accepted, you might put some poor soul on a waitlist who may have had this school as his/her only acceptance. At least I think so, my knowledge of the admissions game is pretty much zero