Author Topic: School interviews  (Read 5812 times)

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Amie

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School interviews
« on: Feb 13, 2009, 05:11 pm »
I need advice, guys; assistance from those who have attended school already or been through this process.

I have applied for graduate schools and am now in the process of being invited for interviews and campus visits.  Already, I have gone to 2 campus visits/interviews and will have a 3rd one this Tuesday.  There is one school (Yale School of Drama in Connecticut, actually) I simply cannot afford to visit, based on location and where my finances are right now.  I would rather save my money for the other out of state college visit I am planning (such as Rutgers in New Jersey. I've already interviewed, but haven't had a campus visit).

Here's the deal:  depending on how I plan to get to Yale for the interview (plane, train, drive...I don't know), the cost to stay overnight is at least $130 in a hotel. I simply don't know how I can pay for this and my other college visits (especially since Yale is actually not my number 1 school choice).

Is Yale the type of school that interviews all applicants or just ones they invite?  What would you do in this situation?  I've addressed this in a short term to the representative who has emailed me, but there isn't much they can do.

Just need some input, as no one else I know has been put in such a situation.

-Amie

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BLee

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #1 on: Feb 13, 2009, 05:29 pm »
Check with the program person who requested the interview. Often times grad schools have on campus overnight housing for students they are interviewing. Some schools even pay for your trip out there. They list information on the website and definitely ask.
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megf

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #2 on: Feb 13, 2009, 05:43 pm »
For what it's worth - even if accommodations in the immediate Yale campus area are pricey, the Metro North rail runs very close to it. Finding a less expensive place to stay, and taking the train up might prove more feasible.

Break a leg, and keep us posted on how the interviews turn out!

MatthewShiner

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #3 on: Feb 13, 2009, 06:39 pm »
In my experience, if you are being called in for an interview, you are a serious candidate.  These schools simply don't waste their time. 

I did my Yale interview by phone, btw, and was accepted . . . so, maybe you can do that - and save the visit to make your final decision?
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Amie

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #4 on: Feb 13, 2009, 08:38 pm »
In my experience, if you are being called in for an interview, you are a serious candidate.  These schools simply don't waste their time. 

I did my Yale interview by phone, btw, and was accepted . . . so, maybe you can do that - and save the visit to make your final decision?

If this is an option during this time, I certainly hope this is the case. I will try this.

Thank you.
Amie
~ Amie ~

“This whole creation is essentially subjective, and the dream is the theater where the dreamer is at once: scene, actor, prompter, stage manager, author, audience, and critic.”

midnightxglimmer

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #5 on: Feb 15, 2009, 10:55 pm »
For those who have already interviewed or attend/have attended Yale, I was wondering what the interview process for the graduate program was like? Like what kinds of questions did they ask?

Any help is greatly appreciated  :)

avkid

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #6 on: Feb 16, 2009, 09:59 pm »
the cost to stay overnight is at least $130 in a hotel.
That is far from a low price.
See here:
http://tinyurl.com/altrnu
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MatthewShiner

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #7 on: Feb 17, 2009, 12:02 am »
My applying to grad schools was about 9 years ago, I don't remember Yale asking any odd questions that stood out from any other schools I applied to.
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Amie

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #8 on: Feb 18, 2009, 02:29 am »
An update to my original situation:

I contacted Yale regarding my financial situation (currently) to simply visit the school. (There is a difference between being able to afford going to school through loans, etc and paying up front for transit/board costs).

The response I got was immediate and kind.  After hearing from the assistant in the department, Mary Hunter (the head of the department), called me, left me a voice mail (as I was at another college visit and couldn't take her call) and then sent a follow up email.  The option that was offered was to keep my appointment date and time, and to conduct it over the phone.  In the event I am chosen as a final candidate, they did request a visit at that time.

I think this is a good compromise. 
~ Amie ~

“This whole creation is essentially subjective, and the dream is the theater where the dreamer is at once: scene, actor, prompter, stage manager, author, audience, and critic.”

LCSM

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Re: School interviews
« Reply #9 on: Feb 18, 2009, 10:43 pm »
Congratulations, I'm glad that worked out for you. Break a leg!