traveling for interviews.

[tonberry]

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Hello,

there's probably a thread for this, but i have no idea where. I only have one interview so far, and it's on the opposite end of the US. That means there's a 3 hr time difference and my 8am interview will feel like 5am.

I want to go for a couple days to get acclimated to the time and setting, but don't want to waste money. Has anyone gone to a location for several days, or do you just go the day before? I also wonder if student hosts do more than one day? I might be pushing my luck. Thanks in advance

 

[sourdoughllama]

Hello,

there's probably a thread for this, but i have no idea where. I only have one interview so far, and it's on the opposite end of the US. That means there's a 3 hr time difference and my 8am interview will feel like 5am.

I want to go for a couple days to get acclimated to the time and setting, but don't want to waste money. Has anyone gone to a location for several days, or do you just go the day before? I also wonder if student hosts do more than one day? I might be pushing my luck. Thanks in advance

I think most people do just the day before, it's not so bad. I've even done 2 time zones back to back 🙂

 

[rfvbnmju]

Student host is only for one day but I do know of some interviewee who did airbnb. Much cheaper than hotel.

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[AkGrown84]

I flew across 4 time zones (AK to PA and AK to TN) for 3 of my interviews. Went one day early to PA, had two interviews in 2 days, and then flew back. Flew overnight into TN, drove 2 hours, went to a reception dinner, and went to bed for my interview the next morning. It was brutal, but you'll have enough nerves/excitement to get you through the interview day. I drove 6 hours to a friends place in Georgia after the interview, and THAT I wouldn't recommend on only 7 hours of sleep in 2.5 days. If you CAN go a day prior, then do. If not, you'll make do. I always stayed at hotels, so I didn't have to figure out student hosts!

 

[Oso]

I met several people who spent a couple days (2-3) in the city where they were interviewing. Often times it was because they had friends there and/or wanted to explore the area. It all depends on your finances and how much time you have. I wouldn't ask a host to stay more than one day (unless they happened to offer it). You could use a combination of student host/ hotel. I think most people end up traveling the day before though. You could always try going to bed and waking up earlier in the days leading up to the interview.

 

[pozzyfaza]

Hey

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[terp720]

rather than flying across the country to get acclimated to a different time zone and spending money, why don't you just start going to bed and waking up earlier for a few days at home prior to your interview (making sure you get a full nights rest as well). Not necessarily super early, but even if you're waking up at 6 am, it may not feel as bad when you are up early on the day of your interview. This will also help when you're trying to go to bed the night before at 10 or 11 and it feels like 7 or 8 pm.

 

[masaraksh]

I'd save as much money as possible, go the day before, and just set 3 alarm clocks + drink a glass of ice cold water and a large coffee.

 

[funniful]

Usually the night before is more than enough to get acclimated, but it never hurts to ask your student host for 1-2 nights especially if it's not during exams. I did a two week east coast trip with interviews on MWF and traveling on TR, so I asked hosts for 2 nights if they did not mind. With the winter season and snow storms hitting the east, most student hosts are very understanding of travel delays and unforeseen events. Be sure to pack gifts if you end up staying for more than one night.

 

[sazerac]

Hello,

there's probably a thread for this, but i have no idea where. I only have one interview so far, and it's on the opposite end of the US. That means there's a 3 hr time difference and my 8am interview will feel like 5am.

I want to go for a couple days to get acclimated to the time and setting, but don't want to waste money. Has anyone gone to a location for several days, or do you just go the day before? I also wonder if student hosts do more than one day? I might be pushing my luck. Thanks in advance

I always tried to go a couple days early to get acclimated to the setting if I could. You might live there for four years, might as well take a look around, eh?

I got to see the aquarium in Chicago, the USS Constitution in Boston, Bourbon Street in New Orleans, casinos in Reno, etc, and saw several show and musicals that were unlikely to travel to my home state. These mini-vacations were the highlight of my interview season. I had a lot of fun.

I think my civic awareness / enthusiasm helped me get in to a school where they take their civic pride seriously. I interview candidates now, and one of the ratings on the evaluation form is "how aware is the candidate of the city / community". I think it helps answer the "why this school" question at interviews when you show some interest in the school's surroundings too.

Go early. Get acclimated. It will only help.

 

[Utenation]

You could travel the day before your interview and wake up really early that morning. Then that night, you'll be tired so you can sleep well for the interview the next day. Cheap and effective.