Studying abroad during peak interview times

[krwalding]

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Okay, so here's the deal. I will be a senior this year. I think I have a pretty competitive application, and I've submitted most of my application materials already (verified back in June, sent in secondaries, etc.). My "problem" is this: I am studying abroad at Oxford University next fall (Fall 2012), and I am very excited. However, as you all know, this is peak interview time for early applicants (not early admits necessarily, just on-time applicants). While I'm definitely not wealthy, I am certainly prepared to fly back from Oxford if I am invited for interviews back in the States.

My question is this: has any of you had a similar experience? If so, did med schools work well with your schedule? If I have a break during the semester, should I inform schools that interviews during that time would be preferable? If so, how do I do that without sounding like a presumptuous jerk (e.g., "listen up, med schools, here are the dates you'll need to interview me, kthx")?

Any help/advice would be very appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Josh7]

That sounds incredibly expensive...

 

[Nandrolone]

Hello, everyone! I am one of those members who never really posts anything and mostly just tries to extrapolate specifics from other people's questions, haha. However, I couldn't seem to find any threads/posts about this particular topic. If I've just glazed over them, please redirect me (I've seen the thread re: the study abroad in the spring semester, but this is pretty different considering it's peak season). I don't mean to waste anyone's time. Thanks!

Okay, so here's the deal. I will be a senior this year (undergrad, obviously). I think I have a pretty competitive application, and I've submitted most of my application materials already (verified back in June, sent in secondaries, etc.). My "problem" is this: (I typically pride myself on my planning skills, but I really screwed this one up, haha) I am studying abroad at Oxford University next fall (Fall 2012), and I am very excited. I truly think it will help with the competitiveness of my application and will be a truly enriching experience. However, as you all know, this is peak interview time for early applicants (not early admits necessarily, just on-time applicants). While I'm definitely not wealthy, I am certainly prepared to fly back from Oxford if I am invited for interviews back in the States.

My question is this: has any of you had a similar experience? If so, did med schools work well with your schedule? I've come to the realization that Oxford tutors don't like being told that you're going to miss a tutorial session, even if it is for grad school interviews, haha. If I have a break during the semester, should I inform schools that interviews during that time would be preferable? If so, how do I do that without sounding like a presumptuous jerk (e.g., "listen up, med schools, here are the dates you'll need to interview me, kthx")?

Any help/advice would be very appreciated. Thanks for all the help through this process!

You won't sound presumptuous if you have a legitimate reason...TRAVELING FROM ENGLAND TO THE US IS MORE THAN ENOUGH OF A REASON.

 

[angemon89]

I wanted to study abroad next Fall 2013, but I decided against it because of interviews. 🙁

Since you're already stuck in this situation, I guess theres nothing you can really do but explain your situation. Hopefully it doesn't cost an admittance.

 

[ncrassa]

I was working abroad throughout application season and made a note at the end of my personal statement detailing the dates I planned to be in the U.S. for interviews, and followed that up with an email to many of the schools about a month before my flight to the U.S. If you are wondering about how to phrase it, I said something to the effect of "I am currently working abroad in X but am planning to be in the United States from Y to Z. If you are willing to grant me an interview, I would be obliged if you could schedule it in within this period."

To be frank, schools didn't give a damn about my constraints. Many didn't even acknowledge my email, and I got interview invites days before I was scheduled to leave the U.S. and even two months after I had left. Other schools explicitly said they cannot anticipate the timing of interview invitations. Some gave a generic "we have added this information to your file" reply.

My advice is merely to apply as early as you possibly can. If you do, you often get first dibs at choosing interview dates and negotiating for a more convenient date.