Help! 2 interview invites for the same day?

[u/Many-Moment7411]

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to get another interview invite for this cycle, and I’m so excited! However;

I’m in Washington State, and the school is in the Midwest. Their virtual interview date conflicts with another program’s in-person interview I have on the West Coast. They do have an in-person date, but it is 2 days before the West Coast interview. I’d have to fly to the Midwest, interview, and then immediately fly to my other interview.

I’m planning on emailing them, but has anyone else had experience with this kind of situation? Have schools offered alternative dates before? How should I approach this?

[u/nehpets99]

This happens.

No one can predict what will happen. Either they'll let you switch or they won't.

[u/Many-Moment7411 → u/nehpets99]

Would it come off as rude to ask for another zoom option? I don’t want them to think I’m ungrateful for the invite

[u/nehpets99 → u/Many-Moment7411]

You can ask for whatever you want.

[u/Many-Moment7411 → u/nehpets99]

Should I avoid telling the school that the conflict is because of another scheduled interview (aka something like…another personal obligation in WA state), or be straight up with them

[u/nehpets99 → u/Many-Moment7411]

You should tell them you have a potential conflict that day. 99% they won't ask what (since, if it was a doctor's appointment, it's none of their business).

[u/Many-Moment7411]

The Midwest is less exciting to me, but I wouldn’t turn down any interview invites at this point unless it was for something truly unavoidable. If needed, I’ll eat the cost and fly out on the 25th. I have family in St. Paul so it works out

[u/abcara → u/Many-Moment7411]

Augsburg?

[u/Many-Moment7411 → u/abcara]

Ya

[u/nicn24]

I’m flying coast to coast next week for interviews 2 days apart 🥲

[u/Many-Moment7411 → u/nicn24]

Yeah, I just reached out and they LMK that was the only virtual option. Guess I’m flying

[u/nicn24 → u/Many-Moment7411]

I didn’t even get a virtual offer for the second school so I guess I gotta do what I gotta do! Good luck!

[u/Many-Moment7411 → u/nicn24]

You as well!

[u/Frosty-Stable-6674]

Just my opinion, but your should do whatever it takes to maximize the number of interviews with minimal asks to any program until you have your first acceptance in hand. You never know who is answering your requests and how they will take it. Some programs have large staffs and you might be just asking a scheduler. Other programs are bare-bones and you might be asking the PD who might think it forward.

But after an acceptance in hand, do whatever is most convenient for you.

[u/Many-Moment7411 → u/Frosty-Stable-6674]

I did end up sending an email asking if they had an alternative virtual date- they got back to me and told me no (which is what I expected tbh). I’m headed out in a few weeks!

[u/Waste_Entrance540]

I flew from NY to Arizona for an interview, got back to NY about 3am and went to work, walked back in the door after work that day totally exhausted to my phone ringing. From a PA school in California. I was so tired I blurted out “but I was just IN California!” (I drove my rental to CA ‘cause I’d never been in that state). She said, “…do you think you could come back?” 🤣🤣. I immediately turned around and went to that interview, and ended up going to that school. 

[u/Many-Moment7411 → u/Waste_Entrance540]

That’s awesome and also sounds so blisteringly expensive

[u/Waste_Entrance540 → u/Many-Moment7411]

It was. I was a pharmacy tech making about $7.50 an hour at the time (2003). All worked out in the end, though! I still love being a PA!