Should I turn down an interview?

[NEApplicant]

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So I'm not sure whether I should turn down an interview I was offered or take it as a potential backup. I've already interviewed at 3 schools, accepted at 2 and wait-listed at the 3rd. I loved all 3 schools, they each offer something slightly different that I'm looking for. The two that I was accepted at would be cheaper (assuming no scholarships) and closer to home than the potential 4th interview, which are 2 things I really care about. The 4th's STEP pass rates are also similar/lower than those of the 2 I've accepted to.
Long story short, I don't think I would end up attending the 4th even if I was accepted there, so I'm considering declining the interview.
Is this foolish on my part? Do people generally interview as much as possible even after being accepted? Since both of my acceptances are "conditional", are there any instances of applicants having their acceptances rescinded (ie, should I interview on the off-chance that one of those 2 schools doesn't want me anymore?)
And if I do decline it, should I just say that it's because I was accepted at my #1 school and whatnot? Or just say I'm not interested and that's it?

 

[NotASerialKiller]

If you're sure you'd decline the acceptance, give the interview to someone else. It's only foolish if it's plausible that something might change your mind about that school in the next few months. If not, someone else will be grateful.

 

[NonTrad16]

I personally see no reason to continue interviewing at schools lower on my list then ones I've been accepted to. In theory you could get scholarships (unlikely for me), or something could wow you, so sometimes people suggest attending them. It's not worth it for me to spend money to go to a school I'm 95% sure I wouldn't attend. If you're happy where you've gotten in, I'd turn down lower priority schools. The school could turn around and make someone else's day by inviting them...

I'm just emailing "I'd like to withdraw from consideration for your class, thank you for your time/invitation" etc.

 

[NeuResurgens]

If you already have acceptances and feel confident you'd go to those schools over the one that invited you, you're fine to turn it down.

 

[Anxious Affect]

I resonate so much with this! IMO, if you aren't excited about the interview and can't really see yourself going there, it's a waste of time for both parties. You won't perform or prepare as well as you would if it were your dream school, and your interviewer may sense that you aren't that into the interview. Also, I think about myself a few months ago with no II's, and how giving up the II could make someone else's career.

For the II's I declined, I thanked them for their time and consideration but stated I had been accepted elsewhere.

 

[Holmwood]

How much cheaper are we talking about?

Because with financial aid and living costs in consideration... I dunno, maybe it'll be comparable.

Conditional acceptances usually means you need to complete background check or submit latest grades. Have they been rescinded before? Yes. But rarely.

 

[gyngyn]

All acceptances are conditional.

 

[787593]

All acceptances are conditional.

 

[gyngyn]

There are many reasons that an acceptance could be rescinded. If a school discovers that application materials were falsified, findings in a background check are inconsistent with school policies (or state requirements), a student cannot get a badge at a required site or does not meet technical standards, matriculation can be denied.

 

[aldol16]

There are many reasons that an acceptance could be rescinded. If a school discovers that application materials were falsified, findings in a background check are inconsistent with school policies (or state requirements), a student cannot get a badge at a required site or does not meet technical standards, matriculation can be denied.

If it's something big enough to get an acceptance rescinded from school X, then it's probably also gonna cause school Y to also rescind the acceptance.

 

[magmag]

My initial thought was that you should go because "life is short, you never know what will happen, what could it hurt?, you might love it, go just to meet people, etc." But I then I realized I'm one of those people who would very deeply appreciate more IIs. So I wouldn't blame you for taking the interview... but it'd be nice of you to let someone else have it if you're already happy with your acceptances.


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[DiscusKeeper]

You earned the II, so don't feel guilty taking it. If it's not costly to attend the interview, it'd be worthwhile just to go, even if the only thing it does is confirm you don't want to go to that school. It's better to turn down this school knowing for sure that you don't want to go there rather than always wondering "what if".

If it's an expense to travel there, I think it'd be a waste of money & time.

I'm in a similar situation and decided to attend the additional interviews anyways.

 

[Pepe18]

.

 

[libertyyne]

There are many reasons that an acceptance could be rescinded. If a school discovers that application materials were falsified, findings in a background check are inconsistent with school policies (or state requirements), a student cannot get a badge at a required site or does not meet technical standards, matriculation can be denied.

Would they accept someone who doesnt meet the technical standards for gettting a badge at required sites or whose background check may be inconsistent with school policy? As long as the applicant doesnt falsify anything is there still something left to fear considering they went through the trouble of interviewing, and accepting the applicant?

 

[Goro]

In addition, a school may rescind an acceptance to tot he discovery of behavior that casts the candidate in a very bad light. This happened to someone who was accepted to ACOM, and who had made some very nasty posts on social media.

Admissions deans DO look at social media, and this candidate had his acceptance revoked.

So delete those pictures of you banging that 16 year old, taking hits from a bong, or showing off your Nazi flag.

There are many reasons that an acceptance could be rescinded. If a school discovers that application materials were falsified, findings in a background check are inconsistent with school policies (or state requirements), a student cannot get a badge at a required site or does not meet technical standards, matriculation can be denied.

 

[gyngyn]

Would they accept someone who doesnt meet the technical standards for gettting a badge at required sites or whose background check may be inconsistent with school policy? As long as the applicant doesnt falsify anything is there still something left to fear considering they went through the trouble of interviewing, and accepting the applicant?

Technical standards are not evaluated prior to acceptance.
The accepted applicant signs an attestation that they meet technical standards after acceptance.
That is why technical standards must be made available to all applicants prior to application.

 

[libertyyne]

Technical standards are not evaluated prior to acceptance.
The accepted applicant signs an attestation of meeting technical standards after acceptance.
That is why technical standards must be made available to all applicants prior to application.

Ah, thank you. What about the criminal background check/ IA concerns, those have theoretically already been disclosed and acceptance has still been granted. Provided the offical background check / transcripts dont say something that was already said could schools still rescind offers?

 

[gyngyn]

Ah, thank you. What about the criminal background check/ IA concerns, those have theoretically already been disclosed and acceptance has still been granted. Provided the offical background check / transcripts dont say something that was already said could schools still rescind offers?

As long as all requested information was given before the background check or transcript reveals it, there is no problem.