Shall I go to the onsite interview?

[bluebluesky]

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[aequitasveritas]

I am a little confused about this situation. I know that Insider's guide seems to say that although some schools may not care if you choose onsite or phone interview, some do distinguish these two. This means, the school may favor those who come to onsite interview because they think those who come show more efforts and sincerity/interest? (assuming they don't make negative impression during onsite interview, which you may never know)

What if by any chance, I have an opportunity to talk with my POI in person before the onsite interview date? Do you think that I should still go to onsite interview so that the chance may be higher? I need to make this decision soon and I would appreciate any advice.

Differs by type of school and program. Where are you applying?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

If at all possible, and if it wouldn't present a significant financial hardship, I would recommend attending the in-person interview.

 

[irish80122]

Even if you try to not have it effect you, it does. Last year we had a person from 50 miles away do a phone interview and someone for the same spot fly in from overseas. Who do you think got the offer? If you are getting an interview offer it means you are qualified, but so are the other 2-3 people who got an interview offer for the same spot. Even if I tried to go solely based on the qualifications, I would find it hard not to be influenced by who came to the interview.

Full disclosure, I am not a professor, but am a 4th year grad student who has voted on applicants a few years. This is just what is true for me.

 

[bluebluesky]

Even if you try to not have it effect you, it does. Last year we had a person from 50 miles away do a phone interview and someone for the same spot fly in from overseas. Who do you think got the offer? If you are getting an interview offer it means you are qualified, but so are the other 2-3 people who got an interview offer for the same spot. Even if I tried to go solely based on the qualifications, I would find it hard not to be influenced by who came to the interview.

Full disclosure, I am not a professor, but am a 4th year grad student who has voted on applicants a few years. This is just what is true for me.

Thanks. Just to be clear, so you voted the one who went to the interview, correct? I guess I am a little concerned about the 24 hr-long observation. But if that's the case, I think I'll go.

(It's for clinical phd)

 

[FuturePhD2]

Thanks. Just to be clear, so you voted the one who went to the interview, correct? I guess I am a little concerned about the 24 hr-long observation. But if that's the case, I think I'll go.

(It's for clinical phd)

That's part of the reason a lot of programs prefer the in person. They WANT to observe you to make sure that you have the requisite social skills necessary to handle clinical work and to get along with others in the lab/program. There's no reason to be concerned about it unless you don't have these skills (in which case you shouldn't be applying to clinical programs to begin with).

 

[bmedclinic]

That's part of the reason a lot of programs prefer the in person. They WANT to observe you to make sure that you have the requisite social skills necessary to handle clinical work and to get along with others in the lab/program. There's no reason to be concerned about it unless you don't have these skills (in which case you shouldn't be applying to clinical programs to begin with).

I'm inclined to agree with this.
I'm a 4th year myself and since I was a second year, I've been asked to play various roles (interviewing, observing, etc) potential students.
Almost everyone is nervous during the interviews, but some people are functional and appropriate, whereas others....clearly are not.

Also, I think it can be valuable to you to go and ask questions, to learn about the program, to see the area (if its geographically/culturally different) to make sure you want to go there. Also, my program has a "meet and greet" with grad students that is seperate from the interview process, and I've talked to lots of applicants that cite that session as being very informative.