Taking days off for interviews and admit wkends

Question

It might be too early to think about this, but I was wondering how people strategize taking days off for interviews and admit weekends? Suppose you get 3-4 interviews in Feb-March, and end up getting 2-3 acceptances and you want to go to all of the admit weekends in April (if they don't clash). That means you may wind up taking five or more Thurs/Fri off over a span of two months?

Assuming you haven't told your boss and co-workers that you're applying to b-schs, that's gonna look immensely suspicious... Curious to know how people got around this problem. Would you request for alumni interviews whenever possible and hope to schedule it for after-work hours? Or block out a whole week off in advance and hope to squeeze in all interviews in that week? Thanks!

highwyre237 · Answer

You know that old college buddy that moved across country? Well he's getting married, and asked you to be in the wedding. Oh wait, he's having a bachelor party the weekend before? Man that's horrible... but you can't let him down!

CobraKai · Answer

I usually just give anyone that questions my vacation plans the middle finger and tell them to eat it. They usually leave me alone after that.

Dbalks · Answer

Yeah, you are visiting a friend. Unfortunately, part of this process is sneaky. My supervisors wrote my rec's so knew I was applying, but I havent shared my status with anyone and won't before my bonus comes through in late February. Until then, I have been waitlisted at everywhere I applied if anyone asks.

I feel terrible about it, but I really dont see the company's incentive to give me my rightful bonus if they know I am leaving. They can spend the money on someone else who is staying to keep them happy. And I really need my bonus to help afford school. I feel like I owe it to my recommenders to tell them, but just cant yet.

PDX105 · Answer

While I only do the 'eat it' part in my head :-D

, I'm with CobraKai on this one. At the end of the day, as long as my manager knows what's going on and has approved my time off, I'm feeling good. If people really press, a line I've used before was that I was trying to use my PTO instead of let it pile up and go unused.

DMNY31 · Answer

I feel yea. I'm in the same boat and my numbers don't pay out until end of March. I wouldn't feel too bad though, it's all in the game.

To the OP, if you are in a major US city and can do your interview with an Alum, you probably won't need to take off at all. Just say you have a doc's appt.

With regards to Admit Weekends, I'm already reserving a few Fridays in April in hopes I get accepted somewhere.

sesamemochi · Answer

Right now, I'm just hoping for an interview invite or acceptance to even have to start thinking about this lol.

lahai1dj · Answer

Plan your excuses in detail and well ahead of time. Normal excuses work for taking PTO, but for more than two, I would suggest using sick time this will provide your work with less reaction time to connect the dots.

Interview 1, you are taking a vacation. (time off)

Interview 2, you are attending a hobby show in a nearby city. (time off)

Interview 3, you have food poisoning and won't eat at a taco truck any more. (sick time)

Interview 4, you need some emergency dental work, appendectomy, or misc rehabilitation.

MBA2ER · Answer

Nice. Guess I'll just have to get creative, at least until I get my bonus in Feb too!

lahai1dj · Answer

Another one just hit me. JURY DUTY!

machichi · Answer

Haha, that's a great one I'd have to bring proof in if it's more than a day though.

CobraKai · Answer

You could always say you're taking a Vegas trip. That way, they can't ask to see your pictures when you get back, because everyone knows that taking pictures while in Vegas is a party foul and hence, in violation of the "Bro Code."

Taking days off for interviews and admit wkends

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards