Monday, September 08, 2008

Question about campus visits for interviews..

...not that I'm personally on the market -- 'cuz I'm not...

But a friend has a question ---- if the interviewing college is paying, does the candidate have to worry about putting the cash for travel out and wait for reimbursement -- or, does the college handle the logistics and simply tell the candidate when to go to the airport?

8 comments:

Dr. Crazy said...

It depends on the university. I think it's more typical for you to lay out the cash and make your own arrangements and then to be reimbursed, though. There is no rhyme or reason to what types of institutions do one or the other. The best bet, when one gets called for a campus visit, is just to ask, "How does your institution handle expenses/reimbursements?"

Seeking Solace said...

When I was in the private sector, you would pay up front and then provide reciepts and fill out a reinbursement form. I would think it would be the same for academics.

timna said...

I've had it both ways in academics. (When they paid, however, I went from MI to MN via Atlanta, so there's something to be said for buying one's own ticket)...

clio's disciple said...

I'll differ here; every time a college has picked up my interview expenses, they call to discuss my schedule and then actually make the travel arrangements themselves, just sending me a copy of the e-ticket / itinerary / whatever else. Definitely ask the institution how they handle it.

Anonymous said...

I guess it depends but HLC paid for everything up front. I was consulted regarding scheduling and after that, I all did was show up at the airport.

New Kid on the Hallway said...

It depends on the campus - they go either way - but you know, I believe my professional association actually has a policy that schools shouldn't make applicants fork out the money up front; the schools should be paying directly. (There are horror stories about getting those reimbursements.)

~profgrrrrl~ said...

My experiences have always been a mix -- they paid airfare and usually hotel up front. I later submitted cab fares and meals.

Unknown said...

Last year I had both happen on campus interviews. In three cases I worked with the department admin. asst. to plan the flights and the department paid. In one, I made the reservation and paid and they reimbursed me. In all of these cases I also had some additional expenses that I had to pay up front and get reimbursed - taxis, shuttles, and so on. (I interviewed in some fairly remote places so wasn't always picked up right at the airport.)