Rescheduling Interview Reasons

[that70sfan11]

This is a little bit awkward to ask, but I've been stressing about it so much I thought I'd get some advice.

Long story short, my grandmother has been suffering from Alzheimer's for a couple of years. However, in the past couple of days her weight has dropped significantly, she is no longer drinking or eating, and the doctors think she may pass away any day now.

My issue is that I have two interviews (Kansas St. and Mizzou) next weekend. If the funeral falls on that weekend, I don't know if it would be worse to not go to the funeral or to attempt to reschedule my interviews. I also don't even know if a funeral would even be an "extreme emergency" like they mentioned.

I'm hoping and praying it won't be an issue at all, but I'm still nervous and stressing about it.

Did anyone go through this?? Advice?

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[parietal]

I'm very sorry.

I hope it's not an issue, but it might be worth it to give the schools a heads-up now. I would think they would be very understanding. You're not going to be at your best if you're grieving, especially if you're grieving all alone.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I'm very sorry.

I hope it's not an issue, but it might be worth it to give the schools a heads-up now. I would think they would be very understanding. You're not going to be at your best if you're grieving, especially if you're grieving all alone.

I agree with this. Most of the admissions directors I have spoke to on the phone or email have been very nice, same with the secretaries. I think it would be a good idea to just give them a heads up,then you won't be worrying because they already know... just in case. And if you call you can sense their reaction to know how they really feel (although i'm sure they will be understanding).

 

[ColoradoDVM]

I'm very sorry.

I hope it's not an issue, but it might be worth it to give the schools a heads-up now. I would think they would be very understanding. You're not going to be at your best if you're grieving, especially if you're grieving all alone.

I concur/ this would be an extreme emergency

 

[TrocarKarin]

If she passes, can you talk to your parents/aunts/uncles/whoever is planning her funeral, and ask that it not be on those specific dates? Unless your family is jewish or something, there's no need to have the funeral right away.

 

[GellaBella]

I think its a better idea to just call and let the schools know the situation that is developing and that you may not be able to make it to your interviews this weekend. They may just re-schedule for you or they may let you make the decision...depending on how things go...

The adcoms are human and realize that these sorts of things happen. I think a death in the family is definitely an 'emergency' situation and they understand the emotional toll that sort of event can have on a person.

I'm sure they would rather you have time to grieve and be with your family and have your interview at a later date than force you into an interview when you may not be as composed as you would like to be.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It's never easy losing someone close to you.

 

[cowgirla]

If she passes, can you talk to your parents/aunts/uncles/whoever is planning her funeral, and ask that it not be on those specific dates? Unless your family is jewish or something, there's no need to have the funeral right away.

Even if they can postpone, I don't think anyone should be expected to have such a life-changing interview after the loss of a close family member. How well would you expect yourself to focus and prepare, knowing that the funeral is coming up? Personally, I don't think I could talk without crying if that was the case, and that's not the way to make a good impression on the adcoms.
Like someone already said, adcoms are human, and I would truly hope that they'd offer you the opportunity to reschedule. For Kansas, I know for a fact that they have other interview weekends, so I can't see it being that big of a deal. I would consider the death of a close family member to be an emergency, if it is something you are "expecting" (I hate to use that word, but nothing else seemed to fit either)

I also think you should call the schools and talk to them about the situation ahead of time.

Best of luck with EVERYTHING, I truly mean that. I can only imagine how difficult this time must be for you.

 

[sumstorm]

Even if they can postpone, I don't think anyone should be expected to have such a life-changing interview after the loss of a close family member. How well would you expect yourself to focus and prepare, knowing that the funeral is coming up? Personally, I don't think I could talk without crying if that was the case, and that's not the way to make a good impression on the adcoms.

Even if you can handle it (some people are at peace with these things) your family may need additional support and closeness through such a challenging time. To be fair to yourself and your loved ones, talk to the adcoms and see what alternatives can be arranged. It will show that you understand there is a balance in life (personal and professional) and that you know when things can be rearranged and how to do so in a timely manner. The other thing to consider, from an adcoms perspective, is that a potential student who crashes/is on edge during an interview is difficult to evaluate for fit into the program; and it can be very awkward/difficult to deal with a perspective students upheaval if they do become upset. They want you to be able to present your best self if at all possible.

 

[that70sfan11]

Thank you everyone for your advice... It's just weird discussing it with family, because they obviously have no idea how vet school interviews are or anything

Anyway, I think I will definitely call them both on Monday just to hear their opinions and to give them a heads-up

Thanks again everybody... I really appreciate it!

 

[TrocarKarin]

I'm sorry you have to go through this. Hopefully you didn't take my suggestion of talking to your family about the date as insensitive. It certainly wasn't meant that way. Hoping for the best for your grandmother and your interviews.

 

[that70sfan11]

Oh no I was definitely not offended or anything! I honestly believe they will work around it if they can -- I was mostly worried since my interviews are on the weekend, I assumed most funerals tend to be on the weekend because it works with most peoples schedules

So no, your advice is great.. and I think we will try to work around it... my post was more for if it just wasn't possible (since one of my aunts lives in Florida and has kids in school etc.).

But like I said before, I'm hoping it just isn't even an issue!!

 

[TrocarKarin]

I'm not sure if all funeral homes are the same way, but the one I worked at charged extra weekend fees (up to a couple hundred extra bucks per service.) As a result, probably 95% of our funerals were on weekdays. Add in embalming and refrigeration, and you've usually got a week or two of leeway for a funeral.

Anyway, I really hope its not an issue for you, and I might see you at the KSU interviews.

 

[that70sfan11]

Hmm, I did not know about that (obviously I don't do this much).... thanks so much for your help and advice TrocarKarin! And yes, hope to see you and everybody in Manhattan!