This is a very interesting thread!
Where I'm coming from:
Paid out of my own pocket for 30 schools, and interviewing at 8 schools. I live in the northwest (rain city) and 7 out of the 8 interviews are on the eastern seaboard (NYC, Pitt, DC, etc). LOTS of flights. I haven't counted how many dollars i've spent on the process, instead I just chug along with working 3 jobs to make ends meet. That all being said, I consider myself really fortunate to be sitting with the opportunities I have, so while I could complain...I technically can't. lol. But I might have some suggestions. lol
So, with the discussion about dollars spent on interviewing, YES. i wholeheartedly agree the money situation blows.
HOWEVER, I will admit visiting a school is very important. In fact, I think the whole electronic interview process is not a great idea. I think every school I visited did not hold true to my own prejudice, and it really took a visit for me to see what the school is like, so I can determine for myself if its a good fit. (This also helps you in the interview as well, if you get to tour around before it...) Sure, I might save some money in the process with e-interviews, but I think you really don't know a school until you visit it. For example, a school that was my top choice turned out to be a flop, and two schools that I doubted would be a good fit turned out to be otherwise.
From where I am and how taxing it is to fly out all the gawsh darn times, I would prefer some transparency when decisions/interviews are made. For example, I got into this situation a couple times where i booked a hotel and flight for an interview and realized two days later I have another interview 2 days after the first one. I wanted to save money and got non-refundable hotels and flights...had I known a decision was going to be possibly made, that might have helped. Granted, I know I might be in the stack where "no decision is made" for that time, but it definitely would've helped to know how long i should wait before i start booking tickets.
The "we've chosen your interview date" thing needs to go. The inability to schedule/coordinate makes it sound like everyone applying has nothing better to do and is wealthy enough to hop on a plane whenever regardless how much it costs. To share a story: One of my interviews...so happens to be on the Tuesday after thanksgiving where flying out on monday is logistically impossible, and flying out on Sunday...or Saturday...yeah...500-700 bux for a one-way trip?! Are you kidding me?
I almost feel like when they ask me "Why XXXXX?", I'll say, "Well, I did fly out here on the Sunday after thanksgiving, didn't I?!
I don't think the system will crash and fall apart if people are given the opportunity to schedule their interviews one month in advance. Not to mention, I dunno if schools honestly hold true to the "we're also trying to win you over to our school" line, but by not allowing students to choose their dates really shows their true colors.
I'm okay with regional interviews, but I still think visiting a school is definitely worth it.
Where I'm coming from:
Paid out of my own pocket for 30 schools, and interviewing at 8 schools. I live in the northwest (rain city) and 7 out of the 8 interviews are on the eastern seaboard (NYC, Pitt, DC, etc). LOTS of flights. I haven't counted how many dollars i've spent on the process, instead I just chug along with working 3 jobs to make ends meet. That all being said, I consider myself really fortunate to be sitting with the opportunities I have, so while I could complain...I technically can't. lol. But I might have some suggestions. lol
So, with the discussion about dollars spent on interviewing, YES. i wholeheartedly agree the money situation blows.
HOWEVER, I will admit visiting a school is very important. In fact, I think the whole electronic interview process is not a great idea. I think every school I visited did not hold true to my own prejudice, and it really took a visit for me to see what the school is like, so I can determine for myself if its a good fit. (This also helps you in the interview as well, if you get to tour around before it...) Sure, I might save some money in the process with e-interviews, but I think you really don't know a school until you visit it. For example, a school that was my top choice turned out to be a flop, and two schools that I doubted would be a good fit turned out to be otherwise.
From where I am and how taxing it is to fly out all the gawsh darn times, I would prefer some transparency when decisions/interviews are made. For example, I got into this situation a couple times where i booked a hotel and flight for an interview and realized two days later I have another interview 2 days after the first one. I wanted to save money and got non-refundable hotels and flights...had I known a decision was going to be possibly made, that might have helped. Granted, I know I might be in the stack where "no decision is made" for that time, but it definitely would've helped to know how long i should wait before i start booking tickets.
The "we've chosen your interview date" thing needs to go. The inability to schedule/coordinate makes it sound like everyone applying has nothing better to do and is wealthy enough to hop on a plane whenever regardless how much it costs. To share a story: One of my interviews...so happens to be on the Tuesday after thanksgiving where flying out on monday is logistically impossible, and flying out on Sunday...or Saturday...yeah...500-700 bux for a one-way trip?! Are you kidding me?
I almost feel like when they ask me "Why XXXXX?", I'll say, "Well, I did fly out here on the Sunday after thanksgiving, didn't I?!
I don't think the system will crash and fall apart if people are given the opportunity to schedule their interviews one month in advance. Not to mention, I dunno if schools honestly hold true to the "we're also trying to win you over to our school" line, but by not allowing students to choose their dates really shows their true colors.
I'm okay with regional interviews, but I still think visiting a school is definitely worth it.
