I'd never heard of this until recently. If interview schedules do not permit, how does one go about saying they cannot? Is it a big enough disadvantage to cancel interviews for? Do they pimp you relentlessly and do you know what the cases are beforehand? Anyone have any input for those of us in the dark?
Has anyone been on one of these? What does the day usually consist of?
Does anyone have any experience with these? Is it a pimp session or more benign?
The whole second look thing annoys me. One program I interviewed at implied that they rank students higher if they come back for a second look after the interview. I wouldn't pay $350 to come out and interview at your institution if I wasn't truly interested. If I send you a letter saying I'm going to rank you #1, just believe me.
Don't stress yourself over 2nd look. Most places make rank lists at the end of each interview session. Then at the end of all interviews, they sit down and then compare the top 3-5 of each session and make the final rank list.2nd looks are your way to have a deeper look into the program. Whether you do or not is inconsequential. It may be easier if it is at a program that you could make a day trip to, or even drive to.Don't listen to what the programs say that a 2nd look may gain you more of a foothold into the program. Most of the time it does not matter.Yes, it is expensive, and it will add to your ever mounting interviewing total costs at the end of the season.Regarding a thank you letter, we appreciate the thank you's but outside of that, any promises you make of ranking us #1 are not even considered in our rank session. If you seem like a good candidate, seem like you would work hard and work well with us and our residents, then you will be higher. If you are black listed by our residents, then too bad.
do they really pimp you during interviews?