WWMD- Grad school Visit or ski

**MassLiberal** · 02-13-2007, 02:09 PM

So, I never ever thought I would post a thread like this, but a situation has just come up which has put a serious damper in my "woohoo!! biggest storm for the east in years!!" stoke.

I am applying to grad schools for next Fall, and the admissions office for one of the top sustainable development programs in the country just emailed me and told me that they had set up a half day campus visit/class sit in/student visit/ interview for thursday. A day that I was planning on skiing the epic storm.

Now, when I had first talked to the admissions office last week, I told them that I was available anytime at the end of this week, but that was before I knew the weather report. The question is, would I look bad if I called them back and told them I actually had a scheduling conflict that I hadn't noticed? Or would that reflect negatively on my application? Should I suck it up and go to the interview? or go skiing??

**Buster Highmen** · 02-13-2007, 02:10 PM

Get real. You're too sick to go. Jeez.....

**hikeitfirst** · 02-13-2007, 02:10 PM

surely you jest.....

**MassLiberal** · 02-13-2007, 02:11 PM

True, I'm just worried that I'll look like a flake if I reschedule. I'm already applying a bit late (with the blessing of the admissions dept), so I really don't want to kill my chances.

**hikeitfirst** · 02-13-2007, 02:13 PM

that sure sounds like a rugged cough...

**Danno** · 02-13-2007, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by MassLiberal

Now, when I had first talked to the admissions office last week, I told them that I was available anytime at the end of this week, but that was before I knew the weather report. The question is, would I look bad if I called them back and told them I actually had a scheduling conflict that I hadn't noticed? Or would that reflect negatively on my application? Should I suck it up and go to the interview? or go skiing??

"In between then and now, something has come up. I might be able to reschedule it, but is there any chance we can find a different day?"

That shouldn't cause any trouble. If they seem unwilling or you get a bad vibe, then say "I'll figure it out, I'll be there" and blow off skiing. No harm in trying if you play it right.

**MassLiberal** · 02-13-2007, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

"In between then and now, something has come up. I might be able to reschedule it, but is there any chance we can find a different day?"

That shouldn't cause any trouble. If they seem unwilling or you get a bad vibe, then say "I'll figure it out, I'll be there" and blow off skiing. No harm in trying if you play it right.

That's pretty much what I was thinking of doing. You are right, I should probably call them as opposed to emailing.

**Viva** · 02-13-2007, 02:21 PM

Call someone in the admissions office and ask if it would be difficult to reschedule. It's only a half day, couldn't be too tough, could it? Do they have you meeting with profs one-on-one? That could be tough to reschedule.

Honestly, from what you wrote, it sounds like they've already accepted you and now they're just going through the dog and pony show as a formality.

**Brock Landers** · 02-13-2007, 02:36 PM

Say you cant make it due to the...weather...and the intolerable snow that has dropped leaving you and your 2wd Ford escort incapacitated.

Call from the lift!

**Steepdeepnlong** · 02-13-2007, 02:49 PM

A voice from the other side.

As much as I would want to ski the epic storm (insert EC dig here), I have been on the academic end of these interview/meetings/visits as the grad student rep on the departmental admissions committee. I can tell you this based only on my experience:
- these things can be difficult to schedule. The more people invovled, the difficulty increases exponentially. Often, the dept. just sets aside times (like an afternoon) for these prospective student visits, and people adjust their schedules around those times. You run the risk of standing out with "the committee" for the wrong reasons.
- there will be some people who won't care, and frankly will relish the free time they now have on their schedule. But there will be some, at least 1 or 2 in every department who, albeit somewhat arrogantly, will be put off enough to just toss your application in the "reject' or "wait list" pile.

Whatever the field of study, you don't stand out yet. There are anywhere from 10 to 250 other people vying for those 5 or whatever spots in that program. Get accepted first, then blow off a meeting to ski.

Use your best judgment. I will be skiing Thursday!

**Rontele** · 02-13-2007, 02:52 PM

Use the weather as an excuse.

"I am concerned with the large storm forecasted for the end of the week that I will not be able to make the interview on time. Rather than risk not showing up, is it possible to reschedule?"

**Franz Klammer** · 02-13-2007, 02:54 PM

Well, you know my stance on this since I am the guy who wants to go skiing with you on Thursday ...

**Long Duck Dong** · 02-13-2007, 02:58 PM

The thing is, its not like you need an "excuse" because you need to reschedule something where you were doing them a favor. They have a limited number of slots and if the interview is a critical part of the application, then they take people as they like them. I think you are doing yourself a pretty big disservice to wait on this. Its not a question of thinking of an "excuse," shit, you could just tell them to fuck off because you feel like it. They are extending an arm out to you, and I think you'd be crazy not to drop everything and go talk to them. (This is comign from someone who has been on pins and needles waiting to hear from back Public Policy Schools all winter).

**CUBUCK** · 02-13-2007, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Long Duck Dong

The thing is, its not like you need an "excuse" because you need to reschedule something where you were doing them a favor. They have a limited number of slots and if the interview is a critical part of the application, then they take people as they like them. I think you are doing yourself a pretty big disservice to wait on this. Its not a question of thinking of an "excuse," shit, you could just tell them to fuck off because you feel like it. They are extending an arm out to you, and I think you'd be crazy not to drop everything and go talk to them. (This is comign from someone who has been on pins and needles waiting to hear from back Public Policy Schools all winter).

Agreed. There will be more opportunities to ski

**train07** · 02-13-2007, 03:03 PM

I trust you haven't run this one by your girlfriend.

I'm sorry, I'm a real fkn prick

**stump832** · 02-13-2007, 03:05 PM

Seems to me if the program really is a "top" one, than theres probably 100 people out there who'd love the opportunity to a) apply late and b) be given an appointment to come in, chat with faculty, and meet the admissions people like you have. Maybe its just because I'm paranoid and have been thinking about grad school admission BS non-stop for the last two months, but finding an excuse to not show up for this sounds pretty douchey to me.

**MassLiberal** · 02-13-2007, 03:21 PM

Damn it! I was hoping that there would be a definitive "go skiing!" consensus.

**hikeitfirst** · 02-13-2007, 03:32 PM

That'd be too easy... and if it was that, you never woulda asked in the first place... you know you'll live to ski again... but if there's a chance you wouldn't get in to the grad school of your choice, is it worth the risk? Only you can answer THAT one...

I, too, WILL be skiing... (sorry)

**MassLiberal** · 02-13-2007, 03:42 PM

Oh well, looks like I'll go to the interview. Hopefully there's a lot of windhold so that the goods will still be fresh on Friday.

**stupendous man** · 02-13-2007, 03:47 PM

"I'm sorry royal ugly dudes, but I must shred the gnar. Hold my beer while I kiss your girlfriend."

thank me later.

**Rontele** · 02-13-2007, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by stupendous man

"I'm sorry royal ugly dudes, but I must shred the gnar. Hold my beer while I kiss your girlfriend."

thank me later.

You are in no position to ever give rational advice about what to do when there is powder involved.

**stupendous man** · 02-13-2007, 04:15 PM

I consider my advice to be the missionary position.

**MakersTeleMark** · 02-13-2007, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by stupendous man

I consider my advice to be the missionary position.

That's probably why I have never skied with your gf, she thinks it's supposed to be on her back and boring.

**Rontele** · 02-13-2007, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by stupendous man

I consider my advice to be the missionary position.

I would love to do the missionary position with Laura

.

**Tony** · 02-13-2007, 08:39 PM

When you are old and in your deathbed, you won't regret not going to the visit day.

But if you don't go ski the big storm, you'll definitely wonder "what if" before your final breath.