Reply too late to invite = no interview?

[caprisun]

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When programs send out a mass email to interview, do they send it to more candidates than they have interview spots? In other words, if I don't wait to see the email and respond a day or two (or three, etc) later, is it possible that all the spots will be taken leaving no interview day for me?

 

[mcl]

When programs send out a mass email to interview, do they send it to more candidates than they have interview spots? In other words, if I don't wait to see the email and respond a day or two (or three, etc) later, is it possible that all the spots will be taken leaving no interview day for me?

Programs have to send out more invitations than they have interview space because not everyone accepts the invitation. It's also been my experience that the program still may have interview slots open but the applicant's requested date has already been filled by the time they respond to the invitation. So if you want to visit a program and receive an interview invitation it's better to go ahead and book your date sooner rather than later. If you respond to the invitation, but your first choice of interview date is filled, chances are good that you'd be offered a spot on the wait list for that day rather than be told that you've completely missed your chance to visit the program.

 

[jmcappleby]

Programs have to send out more invitations than they have interview space because not everyone accepts the invitation. It's also been my experience that the program still may have interview slots open but the applicant's requested date has already been filled by the time they respond to the invitation. So if you want to visit a program and receive an interview invitation it's better to go ahead and book your date sooner rather than later. If you respond to the invitation, but your first choice of interview date is filled, chances are good that you'd be offered a spot on the wait list for that day rather than be told that you've completely missed your chance to visit the program.

Would you say it's better to go ahead and schedule the interview "just in case" and cancel later if I decide I don't want to go? I obviously don't want to come off as rude even if it has no implications on my chances, is it common to schedule an interview and then back out if you decide to interview somewhere else on the same day or should I just not take the invite in the first place?

I've received a few interviews from community programs so far which are nice and I'm excited about, but I am a little concerned that maybe I will end up scheduling too many and then not have the energy/money/time to go to some of the other ones I kind of want to go to (mid-tier Uni programs) that may only consider me after MSPEs are released... Of course, I may be talking crazy here and I should just take what I'm given so far... 😛

 

[peppy]

Would you say it's better to go ahead and schedule the interview "just in case" and cancel later if I decide I don't want to go? I obviously don't want to come off as rude even if it has no implications on my chances, is it common to schedule an interview and then back out if you decide to interview somewhere else on the same day or should I just not take the invite in the first place?

Schedule it now and cancel if you need to. Everyone does that. Programs don't care if you cancel as long as you give them enough notice that they can invite someone else to fill your spot.
The only time it's rude to cancel is if you cancel on them at the very last minute or (worse yet) don't bother to show up without telling them that you're not coming.