Importance of attending grad school Open house with other admits?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the importance of attending graduate school open houses for admitted students, particularly in relation to a job offer that may conflict with the timing of these events. Participants explore the implications of prioritizing the open house over immediate employment opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether getting to know the incoming class is significant enough to forgo a job offer and remain unemployed until the open house in April.
  • Another participant suggests that taking a few days off from the job to attend the open house might be a viable option, though they express skepticism about the feasibility given the circumstances of the job offer.
  • A later reply indicates that the participant had misrepresented their intentions during the job interview, raising concerns about whether the employer would allow time off shortly after starting the job.
  • There is a discussion about the policies regarding taking leave in the U.S. compared to other countries, highlighting variability in employer practices regarding time off for new employees.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether attending the open house is worth the potential sacrifice of the job offer, and there are differing views on the ability to take time off from the job.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding employer policies on taking leave shortly after starting a new job, which may vary significantly based on location and company practices.

creepypasta13
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so a few of the grad programs I got admitted to don't have their open houses until April. However, if I wish, I could visit the program before then, but I of course won't be able to meet the incoming class of grad students. Since I already graduated over a year ago, I've had a couple jobs/internships since then, but am currently unemployed. However, I got a job offer about a week ago (the pay is abysmall, but its better than nothing) and they expect me to start towards late-March at the latest. I don't intend to stay there permanently, as I plan to quit it just before I start grad school

The question is: Is getting a feel of the incoming class of students important enough that I should wait until April to attend the open house and thus turn down that job offer and continue to be unemployed? (I've been unemployed for about 5 months)
 
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creepypasta13 said:
The question is: Is getting a feel of the incoming class of students important enough that I should wait until April to attend the open house and thus turn down that job offer and continue to be unemployed? (I've been unemployed for about 5 months)

I don't think so, but what about the job is such so that you can't take a few days off and attend the open house.
 
twofish-quant said:
I don't think so, but what about the job is such so that you can't take a few days off and attend the open house.

well I interviewed with them i lied and said i'd work there long-term, when I actually intend to quit the job once I start grad school. Thus, do you still think they'd let me take a few days off? Then again, maybe they don't expect me to stay there long-term since the pay is so low ($12/hr)
 
twofish-quant said:
I don't think so, but what about the job is such so that you can't take a few days off and attend the open house.
So can you take days off straight away after starting a job in the US? I ask this, because back home you can only start using up your leave time after six months of work if you started working prior to July, so it really depends upon the employer whether he will go out of his way and grant you a day off prior to that.
 

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