take sleeping bag to interview???

[kuhlguy]

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soooo my vandy interview is coming up and i was wondeirng

shoudl i take a sleeping bag for when i stay wit my host ... the only thing is that ill be flying so thats one more thing for me to carry ... whats the norm?

 

[jochi1543]

From what I recall from friends who've hosted PFs in undergrad, yes, you are generally expected to bring sleeping stuff with you - blanket and pillow, or sleeping bag. You can't expect your host to be able to provide a mattress, pillow, and linens - some will have one or all of those, but most won't. I know I just have one set of linens, one blanket, and 2 pillows, so whoever stays with me would have a hard time!

 

[Phoenix.]

From what I recall from friends who've hosted PFs in undergrad, yes, you are generally expected to bring sleeping stuff with you - blanket and pillow, or sleeping bag. You can't expect your host to be able to provide a mattress, pillow, and linens - some will have one or all of those, but most won't. I know I just have one set of linens, one blanket, and 2 pillows, so whoever stays with me would have a hard time!

Wow, really? I NEVER would have thought of that. I'm actually going to be staying with a student host at Tulane in October, and I was assuming that the people that offered to put up interviewees would at least have a couch to crash on. I was also guessing that I'd get an email or some sort of information letting me know who my host would be and that perhaps I'd ask them then. *shrug* It'd be really good to know if we're supposed to bring a sleeping bag! And seriously, if it's between a hotel bed or sleeping on the floor of a student host, I'd DEFINITELY go for the hotel so I could move the next day. I'm not as spry as some of you young'uns.

 

[jochi1543]

Wow, really? I NEVER would have thought of that. I'm actually going to be staying with a student host at Tulane in October, and I was assuming that the people that offered to put up interviewees would at least have a couch to crash on. I was also guessing that I'd get an email or some sort of information letting me know who my host would be and that perhaps I'd ask them then. *shrug* It'd be really good to know if we're supposed to bring a sleeping bag! And seriously, if it's between a hotel bed or sleeping on the floor of a student host, I'd DEFINITELY go for the hotel so I could move the next day. I'm not as spry as some of you young'uns.

Well, the other thing I've seen happen is when the host just has the prospective student take their bed and then sleeps on the floor or in the dorm lounge him/herself.

However, med student dorms might have couches in the rooms - I'm sure it depends on the school.

 

[Phoenix.]

Well, the other thing I've seen happen is when the host just has the prospective student take their bed and then sleeps on the floor or in the dorm lounge him/herself.

However, med student dorms might have couches in the rooms - I'm sure it depends on the school.

Ah. I guess I was assuming that most med students wouldn't live in dorms, but would live off-campus. But I'm sure that depends on the school. Certainly in places like NYC I'm sure most live in dorms due to the ridiculous cost of renting in NYC. But I guess I'm just so far removed from my undergrad years that I'm just not in the right mindset for this. Hrm. I'll be sure to check before packing my bags for NOLA. Thanks for posting this thread, kuhlguy!

 

[Law2Doc]

and I was assuming that the people that offered to put up interviewees would at least have a couch to crash on.

Agreed. When admisisons emails around to see who might be able to put up a prospective, it would never occur to me that anyone would reply if they didn't at least have a sofa. But I wouldn't necessarilly expect high end accomodations (eg a bed). Definitely check what you should bring if you get the option.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yeah I would definitely not assume they're gonna have any blankets/pillows for you.

And I wouldn't even COUNT on the couch.

Many might have a couch for you to crash on - but not everyone will. When I stayed with a student host they had a really short couch that I decided would have been worse than the floor - so I slept on the floor.

As far as stuff to bring I just had a pillow and blanket stuffed in my suitcase. Then I just stored my suitcase in my rental car (if I hadn't had a rental car I would have just left the suitcase in the admissions office.

 

[Phoenix.]

Yeah I would definitely not assume they're gonna have any blankets/pillows for you.

And I wouldn't even COUNT on the couch.

Many might have a couch for you to crash on - but not everyone will. When I stayed with a student host they had a really short couch that I decided would have been worse than the floor - so I slept on the floor.

As far as stuff to bring I just had a pillow and blanket stuffed in my suitcase. Then I just stored my suitcase in my rental car (if I hadn't had a rental car I would have just left the suitcase in the admissions office.

You couldn't leave the suitcase with your student host? I also didn't realize that might be an issue (i.e., getting back in to retrieve your suitcase). Thanks for the heads up on that too.

 

[alwaysaangel]

You couldn't leave the suitcase with your student host? I also didn't realize that might be an issue (i.e., getting back in to retrieve your suitcase). Thanks for the heads up on that too.

She was going to be in class by the time I was coming back. I guess if your student host planned ahead and had an extra key or something it would work out...but don't count on it. Just thank your host and bring your stuff to the ad office.

Also, its really really nice to give your student host somethign for their trouble. They let you stay in their home and (usually) took the time to talk to you about the school.

I did a gift card to Starbucks - it was like 15 or 20 ( I forget which). But its still cheaper than a hotel room and it lets them know you appreciate it. I actually ran into mine when she was walking to class and she was very thankful and excited that I had left her a giftcard (she'd been showering when I left for interview so I put it in a thank you note and left). So I think a lot of people DON'T do this - but I think its nice to do it.

 

[cruz21]

so my host is a host and a roommate, since when i emailed her she said she'd check with her roommate if it was alright and get back to me (and she gave the thumbs up i guess). so i was thinking of getting starbucks gift cards for both of them, but i was thinking of doing it for $10 each. is that too little? it'd be steep for me to end up spending a lot more than that but i dont want to seem cheap either. also, when is the right time to gift the host the gift, when you get there or when you leave? the previous poster had an opportune moment with the thank you note, but i just dont want it to be an awkward exchange a la "um i have something for you."

anyone that's gone through the host thing, please share your gift-giving stories!

 

[MassTransport]

Aren't you usually in contact with your host a week or so before the interview? You can ask him/her if there's a place for you to sleep.

 

[Jolie South]

I contacted someone on the host list for Rochester last week for my interview on the 10th. I figured it couldn't hurt to be early.

Anyways, she was really nice and she has pull-out and told me not bring anything. I guess just check with your host and see what you will need.

 

[prettymonkey]

even though i know what this thread is about, but every time i scan the list of titles and see this one i imagine someone bringing a sleeping bag to the actual interview day and it makes me giggle. imagine some guy in a nice suit and tie with a sleeping bag over one shoulder and a briefcase in the other hand. and then he walks into an interview and unrolls it and lays down on it instead of sitting in the chair across from the interviewer.

 

[Picklesali]

Also, its really really nice to give your student host somethign for their trouble. They let you stay in their home and (usually) took the time to talk to you about the school.

I did a gift card to Starbucks - it was like 15 or 20

What do you think if I gave my student hosts a "Giant Microbe"? You know, like a plushy yeast or E. bola virus. What med student wouldn't like one of those?!?

 

[Phoenix.]

Aren't you usually in contact with your host a week or so before the interview? You can ask him/her if there's a place for you to sleep.

Yup. My Tulane host emailed me yesterday, and I called her back. I asked if I should bring a pillow or blanket or sleeping bag or anything, and she laughed and said no. I didn't ask whether she had a couch, but I'm assuming so.... She's living alone in the student dorm (Demming), so I doubt she has a spare bed. I think a great practical joke would be if the host walked you into their bedroom and said "which side of the bed do you prefer? Right side, or left?"

I'm taking my host out for dinner at a nice restaurant. I think Tulane's host instructions suggested taking them out. Think a gift is in order too?

 

[yellowumbrella]

What do you think if I gave my student hosts a "Giant Microbe"? You know, like a plushy yeast or E. bola virus. What med student wouldn't like one of those?!?

that's a great idea-- i love those things! it's not very useful tho.

 

[Wanna_B_Scutty]

that's a great idea-- i love those things! it's not very useful tho.

Seconded! I'm going to be hosting interviewees this year, and I'd be absolutely tickled pink by something like this.

 

[Daydreamer2008]

Yup. My Tulane host emailed me yesterday, and I called her back. I asked if I should bring a pillow or blanket or sleeping bag or anything, and she laughed and said no. I didn't ask whether she had a couch, but I'm assuming so.... She's living alone in the student dorm (Demming), so I doubt she has a spare bed. I think a great practical joke would be if the host walked you into their bedroom and said "which side of the bed do you prefer? Right side, or left?"

I'm taking my host out for dinner at a nice restaurant. I think Tulane's host instructions suggested taking them out. Think a gift is in order too?

Ya is dinner sufficient? I'm staying with a Tulane student one night and taking her out to dinner the night before, but at VCU I'm staying 2 nights with 2 very nice girls and am already taking them out to dinner, but should I do something more? 😕 Maybe a starbucks card for each of them...