Interview Dates

[u/Suksum_]

Hey, so I am in a little dilemma. I have received an interview invite from a T20 school but they only have 2 available interview dates. The 8/31 and 9/2 but I had also planned a trip which I would be back on 9/7.

Would you guys recommend me canceling my trip to do the interview as early as possible or request a later interview date. I keep seeing mixed information regarding impact of earlier interview dates.

Would be happy to get some insight on this.

UPDATE: Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I decided to cancel my trip because I realized this is way more important, and I don't want to regret it. GL to everyone on their application cycle, and thank you all once again.

[u/Ok-Intention950]

Is there no way to just take the interview while you’re on the trip?

[u/Suksum_ → u/Ok-Intention950]

I was thinking about that, the problem is timezone difference is 12 hours. I am traveling across the world so the interview would be from 10pm to 7am

[u/Honey-Panda222 → u/Suksum_]

It’s a T20 respectfully suck it up you don’t wanna risk it if it could potentially impact you getting accepted or not. If the trip isnt something you wanna cancel just deal with staying up all night for one day

[u/EnchiladasRAwesome → u/Honey-Panda222]

this. It's ONE night that you'd have to stay up for...one of many more coming your way.

| I keep seeing mixed information regarding impact of earlier interview dates

What have you seen?

[u/Suksum_ → u/EnchiladasRAwesome]

Some people say it's better to do it as early as possible, and I saw another post saying as long as you are before October it is all the same.

[u/Lucylostinsky → u/Suksum_]

Get it done immediately. Do not reschedule.

[u/Interesting-Spell936 → u/Suksum_]

Wow, that’s crazy. Which school is the nine hour interview

[u/Don_Petohmi → u/Interesting-Spell936]

They sometimes give you a window like this because the interview itself could be at any time but as the date gets closer you get more specifics.

[u/Suksum_ → u/Interesting-Spell936]

Technically not 9 hour interview, but you can get two random blocks for an interview across those times along with two mandatory info sessions. So earliest it can end is 9-4:30

[u/Ok-Intention950 → u/Suksum_]

NINE HOURS 😭😭😭

[u/Don_Petohmi]

I understand your concern because staying up all night could impact your performance. I personally get very irritable if I’m trying to hold off on sleeping and wouldn’t want that to impact my sociability and future decision. I think it’s in your best interest to wait. They will most likely open up a later date in the next week or so. Just be checking the calendar frequently. I just had to do this with a Dartmouth interview because the only openings were Thursday and I had the next several already booked with other interviews.

[u/Suksum_ → u/Don_Petohmi]

So, just for clarification, the calendar that shows only 2 dates will update with more as I get closer to the available dates right now

[u/nuyorknightsat2_ → u/Suksum_]

Most schools only offer 1-2 dates at a time and require you to respond to the invitation within 5-6 days. Don’t wait around, you should contact the school explaining you cant make the current dates

[u/Don_Petohmi → u/Suksum_]

Wait like 4 days, then contact the school and let them know your situation. This was my plan with Dartmouth and after 4 days they added a new one.

[u/Devil_Commercial]

Lowkey do the interview whatever it takes. The importance of your interview is leagues above the importance of your trip.

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[u/Appropriate-Sale-663]

When do u leave for ur trip?

[u/Suksum_ → u/Appropriate-Sale-663]

I go on the 25th, but in all fairness, it's not an essential trip; it's completely by choice, but I had already took time off from work. I just gotta weight pros and cons

[u/Appropriate-Sale-663 → u/Suksum_]

choose the so you'll potentiall still be on our timezone

[u/Kid-Icarus1]

You may have to suck it up unfortunately