should I spend $500+ for an interview?

[AHC]

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Hey everyone,

I got an interview invitation from SUNY and have booked it for 10/16.
I checked the hotel and plane ticket (I am from California), and found that the trip would cost me more than 500 dollars. I know it is good to visit the school, but I am also applying to other schools on the east coast and I thought it would be more efficient to visit them together during winter break.

With that said, I also have the option of interviewing with only Dr. Johnston on 11/6 IN CALIFORNIA. I am very tempting to take this opportunity, but also afraid that I would lose almost 3 weeks in rolling admission...SUNY is up there on my choices.

SO basically..
-the advantage of interview on 11/6 in California:
1)meet only with Dr. Johnston instead of the panel (less stress I guess?),
2)save $500 dollars

-the advantage of interview on 10/16 at SUNY:
1)three weeks earlier
2)tour of the college
3)shows that I really want to go to SUNY

Anyone has any suggestions in whether or not I should fly to SUNY? Thankss so much!

 

[princesspinknes]

Hey everyone,

I got an interview invitation from SUNY and have booked it for 10/16.
I checked the hotel and plane ticket (I am from California), and found that the trip would cost me more than 500 dollars. I know it is good to visit the school, but I am also applying to other schools on the east coast and I thought it would be more efficient to visit them together during winter break.

With that said, I also have the option of interviewing with only Dr. Johnston on 11/6 IN CALIFORNIA. I am very tempting to take this opportunity, but also afraid that I would lose almost 3 weeks in rolling admission...SUNY is up there on my choices.

SO basically..
-the advantage of interview on 11/6 in California:
1)meet only with Dr. Johnston instead of the panel (less stress I guess?),
2)save $500 dollars

-the advantage of interview on 10/16 at SUNY:
1)three weeks earlier
2)tour of the college
3)shows that I really want to go to SUNY

Anyone has any suggestions in whether or not I should fly to SUNY? Thankss so much!

personally, i dont think having the interview in november in california would make you look like you dont want to go to SUNY, likewise, 3 weeks isnt that huge of a difference in regards to rolling admissions. personally, i went to new york to interview specifically because i wanted to visit the school and i wanted to see the city. it really depends on your only personal preferences: would visiting the school make that big of a difference for you in making your decision? it did for me, that's why i forked over the $500. however, if you're pretty sure you want to go to SUNY or if the $500 is a big chunk of ur financial capacity, i think interviewing 3 weeks later in california will not be a disadvantage for u as an applicant. p.s. i've heard that the one-on-one interview with Dr. Johnston is much more conversational and noticeably quite less intimidating, that could be a huge advantage for you too

 

[KHE]

Hey everyone,

I got an interview invitation from SUNY and have booked it for 10/16.
I checked the hotel and plane ticket (I am from California), and found that the trip would cost me more than 500 dollars. I know it is good to visit the school, but I am also applying to other schools on the east coast and I thought it would be more efficient to visit them together during winter break.

With that said, I also have the option of interviewing with only Dr. Johnston on 11/6 IN CALIFORNIA. I am very tempting to take this opportunity, but also afraid that I would lose almost 3 weeks in rolling admission...SUNY is up there on my choices.

SO basically..
-the advantage of interview on 11/6 in California:
1)meet only with Dr. Johnston instead of the panel (less stress I guess?),
2)save $500 dollars

-the advantage of interview on 10/16 at SUNY:
1)three weeks earlier
2)tour of the college
3)shows that I really want to go to SUNY

Anyone has any suggestions in whether or not I should fly to SUNY? Thankss so much!

Wow....

You're talking about applying to and possibly entering a professional program in which you are going to pay well in excess of $125k to train and you are considering doing this training in a far off city at an institution you have never been to?

Let me make a suggestion.....spring for the $500 and go check out what you're getting yourself into.

I can't even fathom how you could consider NOT going....would you attend a college you never once visited?

 

[AHC]

Thanks, princesspinknes. the less intimidating individual interview is surely a great attraction to me. So where do you attend optometry school?

Wow....

You're talking about applying to and possibly entering a professional program in which you are going to pay well in excess of $125k to train and you are considering doing this training in a far off city at an institution you have never been to?

Let me make a suggestion.....spring for the $500 and go check out what you're getting yourself into.

I can't even fathom how you could consider NOT going....would you attend a college you never once visited?

You have a good point there and I totally agree with you. Perhaps I did not make myself clear....I DO plan to visit the schools, but I want to visit all schools on the east coast at once when i have a longer vacation (in 2 months), instead of having multiple short 1-2 day trips that require me to ditch work/internship/classes. Btw..Do you find it unacceptable to tell interviewer that you plan to visit their school couple months after the interview, but you have already done the research, talked to alumni and was certain that it would be a good fit for you?

Thanks

 

[melucla]

i have the same dilemma as you, I'm from CA, and I'm going to SUNY late october. but i'm also hoping to interview at NECO, but they haven't sent out invitations yet. personally, i want to get in there asap, even if that means another trip out there and another $500. i actually hadn't thought about waiting and doing all my interviews at once. but hey, i guess it will all be worth it when you get into a great school 🙂

 

[princesspinknes]

Thanks, princesspinknes. the less intimidating individual interview is surely a great attraction to me. So where do you attend optometry school?








You have a good point there and I totally agree with you. Perhaps I did not make myself clear....I DO plan to visit the schools, but I want to visit all schools on the east coast at once when i have a longer vacation (in 2 months), instead of having multiple short 1-2 day trips that require me to ditch work/internship/classes. Btw..Do you find it unacceptable to tell interviewer that you plan to visit their school couple months after the interview, but you have already done the research, talked to alumni and was certain that it would be a good fit for you?

Thanks

i actually go to scco, but also applied and interviewed at berkeley and suny. im born and raised in southern california, but that's not the entire reason why i stayed close to home. i LOVEd new york city, but visiting the separate institutions made me realize where i really belonged. are you applying any other places?

 

[butterfly413]

i'm booking my suny interview for early nov, and crossing my fingers that neco will invite me, so i can try to squeeze them into the same week. i'm also a PT student, so i have the time to stay in NY for a while...

as an FYI, tix to NY are SUPER cheap right now on NWA. well, at least from az - the flight i will be *hopefully* booking tomorrow is only $190 rt, incl taxes.
but i get the whole where to stay thing... that can be an expense. i'm hoping to bunk with friends of friends and save myself money on that end 😀

for me, i HAVE to see the school, or i can't make a fully informed decision. that is, assuming i get to make a decision!!! good luck!