What else to do on interview day

[SunnyBunny7]

Usually, when people (non-residents) have interviews, do they just fly in the day before, go to the interview and tour the next day, and then fly out that afternoon/night? I was doing some searches and I noticed that some people give advice on places to check out in the city and all that. Is there time to do that? Should you do that? I'm currently in school right now so I don't really have time to be galavanting around everywhere.

(Sorry for my many posts, but I just received my first interview invite (from SLU) and I'm pretty freaked out cuz I really didn't expect to get any at all. Well I was hoping I would, but I guess I never really thought about what I would do if I did get any invites. Anyways, thanks to all for all your advice and support. People like me really appreciate everything!! )

 

[tBw]

It varies widely. Some interviews (eg if you are applying to dual-degree programs) can be two day events, most straight MD ones are one day. Some people take a couple of days to tour the city because they have the time and money to do that and realize that this *may* be the place they will spend the next 4 years of their life and they want to make a good decision on where that should be. Others, for a variety of good and bad reasons, fly in, have the interview, fly out that night! It depends how far away it is and on the logistics as well as what you want out of the experience. I think most people arrive the night before and either leave the night of, or the next morning, but what you choose to do is personal preferences and viability.

 

[Jet915]

For me, Im leaving for an interview tomorrow (interview on thur.) and coming back on saturday night. Im planning on doing some sight seeing/hiking after my trip to usuhs. I hear shenandoah national park is beautiful in the fall! Im a graduate student but there is no point in me coming back after my interview cause I wont have time to go into lab on Friday anyways.

Jetson

 

[Amy B]

If you have to fly somewhere, or drive somewhere, I would strongly suggest getting there the night before. Don't depend on the airlines to get you there ontime the same day as your interview.

I suggested to people last year to fly in, check in to your hotel and then drive to the interview location. That way you are not trying to find the place the morning of the interview which can be nerve racking enough without taking the risk of getting lost. You can also check out the parking situation which can also be a big problem.

I would contact the school ahead of time and ask them where you can park. This is a big worry especially in the city schools such as Medical College of Virginia where parking is impossible at most times.

 

[Jadeite]

If you can, I'd at least visit the arch while you're in Saint Louis.

I think it really is a few points in your favour with the interviewer if you say "yeah, I walked around the city, did X, Y, and Z..." It really makes it sound like you're interested in the area and seriously considering spending the next 4 years there. Seriously people, whereever you end up will at least partially determine who you become these next 4 years, it's not a small thing! I always try to get a feel for the city and if I'll be happy there.


Jade~

Originally posted by SunnyBunny7
Usually, when people (non-residents) have interviews, do they just fly in the day before, go to the interview and tour the next day, and then fly out that afternoon/night? I was doing some searches and I noticed that some people give advice on places to check out in the city and all that. Is there time to do that? Should you do that? I'm currently in school right now so I don't really have time to be galavanting around everywhere.

(Sorry for my many posts, but I just received my first interview invite (from SLU) and I'm pretty freaked out cuz I really didn't expect to get any at all. Well I was hoping I would, but I guess I never really thought about what I would do if I did get any invites. Anyways, thanks to all for all your advice and support. People like me really appreciate everything!! )

 

[Amy B]

Originally posted by Jet915
For me, Im leaving for an interview tomorrow (interview on thur.) and coming back on saturday night. Im planning on doing some sight seeing/hiking after my trip to usuhs. I hear shenandoah national park is beautiful in the fall! Im a graduate student but there is no point in me coming back after my interview cause I wont have time to go into lab on Friday anyways.

Jetson

This year is not going to be as pretty as it should. We have had a horrible drought which will affect the fall foilage. It ususally looks the best towards the end of October. A lot of trees have already lost their leaves without them even turning colors.

 

[katem]

one cool thing about st. louis is that a small portion of all sales taxes support the museums, zoo, etc, so most cultural spots are free (perhaps justifying a brief visit). the missouri botanical garden is a great spot to relax a bit and enjoy the weather, if it's decent, and isn't as widely known as the art museum, zoo, science musuem, etc.

for most interviews, though, i'm in and out of the city as quickly as possible, since i can't afford to miss much work.

 

[SunnyBunny7]

Well I'm an undergrad, and I still have midterms and all to worry about, so I can't really afford to miss school. And hopefully I'll be getting more interviews, so that's even more school to miss. (Yes I know med school is much more important than what I get on a midterm, but I'd still like to keep my grades up) Plus I don't have the money to stay long.

I know talking to the med students helps, but I guess there's no substitute for actually seeing everything first hand. I was planning just to fly in the afternoon before the interview and leave in the evening right after the interview. So I guess I'll just have to do the best I can under those circumstances.

 

[SMW]

Originally posted by SunnyBunny7
I was planning just to fly in the afternoon before the interview and leave in the evening right after the interview.

This is a great plan, and what I did if I had a mid-week interview. I tried to schedule interviews on Monday or Fridays as much as possible if I was flying a long distance (almost everywhere is a long distance from here!), and I wanted to check out the city or visit with friends. Especially with places like NYC or Boston. The only other thing I would add to your plan, is stay with a student!

CONGRATS, Good luck on your interview!!

 

[Woots32]

On the interviews I've been on so far, I've flown in the night before and stayed in a hotel, and then left the next evening after the interview. I chose to stay in hotels because I get the rooms for free (my dad travels a lot for work), I usually get in late (because it takes me 3 hours to get to O'Hare and have to take later flights), and I'm kinda shy and don't feel very comfortable staying w/ people I don't know.

I know that's not a lot of time to get to see the town, but I'm still in school and will already be missing WAY too much class this semester as is. I graduate in Dec, so I figure I can take some time in the spring to go back to the places I'm more interested in. (Assuming I actually get a choice... )

 

[tBw]

It also depends on whether you even need to "get to know" the city ie I used to live in Boston and before that New York, I currently live in St Louis and visit Chicago often. I have already spent over a week for various reasons at various times in San Diego, San Francisco, LA and DC. So I already have as much of an impression of these cities as I'm likely to get from another quick visit (and obviously I liked them). Also, with work, I can't afford more time away than absolutely necessary. For the towns I am not familiar with I probably will try to spend an extra half day.

 

[Green912]

The cost might make the decision for you also. Play around with the departure and return dates and see if you find any substantial savings. Sometimes just throwing in a weekend day saves a lot of money.


www.travelzoo.com

 

[Polar girl]

Originally posted by katem
one cool thing about st. louis is that a small portion of all sales taxes support the museums, zoo, etc, so most cultural spots are free (perhaps justifying a brief visit). the missouri botanical garden is a great spot to relax a bit and enjoy the weather, if it's decent, and isn't as widely known as the art museum, zoo, science musuem, etc.

for most interviews, though, i'm in and out of the city as quickly as possible, since i can't afford to miss much work.

Just to let you know, the Botanical Garden is a neat place, but is NOT free. Except for like Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I think. It's also not in Forest Park with all the others. The art museum, history museum, science center, and zoo are free.