When to stop going to interviews

[BeanBag2]

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I know the instant response is going to be when you get an acceptance but hear me out first. Here is my situation.

Okay here is the schools I applied to and dates completed and interview schedule dates:


Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Completed: (11/3/2014)
Interview invite: Not yet scheduled
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Completed: (11/4/2014)
Have not heard back.
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO
(11/5/2014)
Have not heard back.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton Campus, FL
Completed: (10/24/2014)
Interview: January 16
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Erie/Seton Hill, PA
Completed: (10/24/2014)
Interview : January 26
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, FL
(11/3/2014)
Have not heard back
NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, NY
(10/30/2014)
Interview: Feb 3rd
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York, NY
(11/10/2014)
Interview: Jan 12
University of New England. College of Osteopathic Medicine
(11/10/2014)
Interview: Jan 23

I am very fortunate to have received 6 interviews but I am at a point where money is starting to become tight. I could get enough money together to schedule a flight to Alabama but I am not sure if it is the best decision to make. I know it is starting to become late in the season and I am worried that if I don't schedule my Alabama interview right away and purchase airfare for their earliest possible date, it could possibly end up biting me in the long run. If I wait to see what happens with my other schools, I run the risk of interviewing for a waitlist spot, and an increase in airfare prices. I am kicking myself in the ass for not applying earlier.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks guys. Happy Holidays btw!!

 

[AM508]

Well that much is really up to how you feel with acceptances you get. I know that I scheduled all interviews that came my way initially (10 in total), I went to my first interview and got accepted. I then looked at my list of interviews, and cancelled the ones that I was absolutely sure that I would not pick given the acceptance that I already had. Then, after my next interview and acceptance, I went though my list of remaining interviews and cancelled the ones that I would definitely not be interested in. After my third interview and acceptance, I had the best vibe from that school, it was a school in my top 3, I had no interviews in my other top school scheduled, so I cancelled the rest and turned in my deposit. Using this method you may lose a serendipitous find, but you also save some money. As late as it is in the season MAKE SURE you have an acceptance in hand before you start cancelling ANYTHING.

 

[doapplicant2015]

With 6 interviews, if you don't get accepted off one of those there is probably something seriously wrong with your interview skills rather than a lack of opportunities. Granted it's getting late in the game but I think you're approaching the brink of diminishing returns as far as attending interviews goes.

If I was in your shoes I would schedule that ACOM interview for a later date and cancel if you have an acceptance in hand before then unless its one of your top choices. Obviously this is difficult with scheduling a flight so if at all possible, I would plan on driving anything up to 8ish hours.

Congrats on those interviews, you must be an outstanding applicant. Happy holidays!

 

[Goro]

Concur!

With 6 interviews, if you don't get accepted off one of those there is probably something seriously wrong with your interview skills rather than a lack of opportunities. Granted it's getting late in the game but I think you're approaching the brink of diminishing returns as far as attending interviews goes.

If I was in your shoes I would schedule that ACOM interview for a later date and cancel if you have an acceptance in hand before then unless its one of your top choices. Obviously this is difficult with scheduling a flight so if at all possible, I would plan on driving anything up to 8ish hours.

Congrats on those interviews, you must be an outstanding applicant. Happy holidays!

 

[BeanBag2]

Thanks for the help guys, will go with doapplicant 2015 and Goro advice.