Who pays for interview?

[GlycoNE1]

Hello,
I'm pretty green about the whole application/interview process but who traditionally pays for the MD/PhD interviews? I've been receiving interview invites and don't know if it's evil to ask, "Hey, are you going to fly me out there and put me up in a hotel?" Also, for those of you who are interview veterans already, if offered a choice between staying with a student host or the Comfort Inn, which option would be advantageous to the whole experience?

Thanks in advance!

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[clockitnow]

The vast majority of schools do not pay for transportation costs to the school. Some schools will offer to pay for a hotel while you are there. Almost all schools will offer you a student host and will cover just about all meals. If they didn't specifically say that they were covering travel costs, I would assume that they aren't (The only schools that I have encountered that do so far are Wash U, Duke, and U Wash).

In terms of picking between student host and a hotel, I have gone with student hosts because it is another perspective on the program and you get to see what it is like in one case to live in that city.

 

[zekelion]

Nothing (except some food)
UT-Southwestern (first interview, unless there is extreme financial need)

Hotel and Food Only
University of Minnesota, UC-Irvine, Northwestern

Hotel, Food, and Limited Travel Costs (ie airport shuttle, parking)

Everything (except alcohol!)
UT-Southwestern (second interview), UW-Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Iowa, Vanderbilt

 

[Gfunk6]

Everything (except alcohol!)
UT-Southwestern (second interview), UW-Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Iowa, Vanderbilt

Also add UAB!

 

[tedrik]

From what I've seen and heard so far, the midwest schools are big on paying for their applicants and they also seem to have a reputation for having awesome second look weekends. Outside of these, I would assume that other top schools will not pay for your trip unless they specifically say so.

Definitely stay with a student host if given the opportunity. As clockitnow said, this will give you a nice perspective on the program and the city. Also, the school normally sets you up with a student who works in your area, so this is your chance to get the inside info on faculty that you may be working/interacting with in the future.

 

[leverp2000]

Nothing (except some food)
UT-Southwestern (first interview, unless there is extreme financial need)

Hotel and Food Only
University of Minnesota, UC-Irvine, Northwestern

Hotel, Food, and Limited Travel Costs (ie airport shuttle, parking)

Everything (except alcohol!)
UT-Southwestern (second interview), University of Michigan, UW-Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Iowa, Vanderbilt[/QUOTE]

Everything (including alcohol!)
WashU

 

[freddytn]

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's program won't cover expenses but the PhD programs that you are accepted into will very most likely cover it. University of Illinois at Chicago's program covers your expenses. From what I remember Northwestern program's pays for your hotel and meals while you're there not travel though.

 

[Neuronix]

Nothing (except some food)
UT-Southwestern (first interview, unless there is extreme financial need)

Hotel and Food Only
University of Minnesota, UC-Irvine, Northwestern, UPenn (+Night on town)

Hotel, Food, and Limited Travel Costs (ie airport shuttle, parking)

Everything (except alcohol!)
UT-Southwestern (second interview), University of Michigan, UW-Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Iowa, Vanderbilt[/QUOTE]

Everything (including alcohol!)
WashU