interviews

[stcheng82]

i know that we should schedule as many as possible to ensure being matched...
but, how many should one theoretically attend before getting physically and mentally burnt out, as well as financially depleted :confused:
also, how do i cancel/reject an interview without burning any bridges - any etiquette tips would be greatly appreciated.

thanks :)

[ckbuffalo]

I would recommend scheduling interviews as they come, if there are places that you applied to that were "backup" i would bump them when you get interviews at places where you would like to be. When cancelling an interview let them know about a week to 10days before so that theycan invite others. I would say that I have a conflict. If at the end of the interview trail..ran out of money is an ok one I think.

[ds_in_tx]

Just tell them you are no longer able to attend. They don't need a reason. For the sake of politeness tell them ASAP. They will happily fill your spot with some other drone from their massive stack of applicants. Remember: if you don't interview there, this will possibly be the last professional interaction you will have with them ever. (There's not much bridge to burn, really.)

The match stats pretty much agree that 10 interviews is the magic number, esp. as a foreign student/grad.

Example: I got 17 offers, accepted them all, ended up going to 13. One of them I cancelled like 60 days in advance. The latest interview I had (in mid-February!!) I cancelled like 6 days early. They didn't seem to care in the least; it even let them cancel my hotel reservation without financial consequence.

If you think they really care that they'll be missing your feces-eating grin in their department this fall/winter when you told them that you'd be there (with bells on!), think again. Applicants (esp. Caribbean ones) are a-dime-a-dozen.

Sorry if I'm being too glib.