just4fun
Hi,
I need your advice on a diffcult situation! I am an international applicant currently residing in Europe. I am planning to visit US in the month of October for business meetings and all. The business sessions will be over in first or max second week of November. After this I am planning to visit different schools.
Now if I am visiting the school! then it is better to give an on-campus interview. But the problem is my application will go to second round thereby disturbing the schedule that I had set earlier to apply to different schools (When I wasn't even aware that some business session might come up). Eventually I will end up putting all my applications in second round, which I want to avoid! I hope you will understand my situation here!
Would appreciate if you can suggest what is the best way to go about it?
Thanks and regards
Your problem is most acute with schools that interview on a by-invitation only basis.
For all schoools of interest, I suggest you contact the adcom and say that you will be traveling from Europe and are planning to visit the school in November in preparation for a January application. Would they be interested in interviewing you when you are on campus? Most that have a "by invitation only" policy will decline. Those that don't have that policy will attempt to interview you. And perhaps you will be able to meet with someone as an exception even at the schools that are by invitation only . I see little downside as long as you are polite and not pushy.
Regardless of whether you can arrange a formal interview, visit the schools and take advantage of anything they offer prospective applicants: tour, attending class, meeting with students. Do it all.
Good luck!