<p>Hi--son got an early start on some apps and has been accepted to 5 schools (4 of which he has never visited). He cast a wide-net (test score/grade disparity made it hard to settle on a smaller list of 'reasonable matches' since we weren't sure which schools would like his particular combo of stats). </p>
<p>The plan was to get acceptances in hand, get a look at the $$ offered then visit, in say, February (?) to have son get a feel for the top contenders. </p>
<p>These early responses are making us re-think that plan --perhaps it might be too much to cram into Feb...and you never know what might come up, if you leave it that close to decision time.</p>
<p>As it is--son got near free-ride at a school 1200 miles away, admitted to a school that's top 10 in his major, about 1100 miles away (both southern-ish), and admitted to 2 others that are about 500 miles away, in complete opposite directions. We're in northeast.</p>
<p>Thinking that the southern schools--since it's such an undertaking to go--might be worth a trip (esp the free ride school). But, then not sure if want son to fall in love w/the other, top 10-major school if -- after FASFA et al--it looks like there's no way we can afford it.</p>
<p>Not sure if anyone else has gone through this? We were just going to sit back & wait for acceptances then visit in a few months...but I foresee a huge log-jam if we try that. But, definitely don't have tons of cash for many plane tix/hotel stays, right now. </p>
<p>If anyone had thoughts, would appreciate! Thanks!</p>
<p>Many schools have accepted students weekend. I would call up the individual schools if you can't find that information on the website. They may have something but it's not on the website yet. My son did overnights at three schools after acceptance and it helped him decide. One was an accepted students weekend event.</p>
<p>I agree with the suggestion to try to do an accepted students weekend or accepted students day. My D ruled out what had been her first choice when she attended that event - she just couldn't see herself there. I'm not sure how early these are scheduled though so they may be what you do after you have narrowed the choices significantly.</p>
<p>Thanks, kathiep and cartera45! That's what we'll do--keep a chart of the accepted students weekends/times schools are in session. It's just that -- if these are all the schools son is accepted to, we'd definitely visit all, and just spread it out over the next few months. But if he is lucky enough to get a few more, that might change the travel mix (maybe hit one school enroute to another). </p>
<p>Guess we'll pause, make charts (well, I will, as I usually do) and see how it goes. Thanks!</p>
<p>The accepted students days helped DD make her final decision. Highly recommend them. That said, some larger universities hold several and some just have a special tour for accepted students. You could spread them out that way. She made the final decision visits after we had the financial picture so that the visits were with the real top contenders, but she had been to all at least once before that visit</p>
<p>some schools offering merit aid will actually pay for your kid to visit; check with the school offering a full-ride and see if they will help do that ;)</p>
<p>There is a sort of overload effect if you visit too many at once. Take weather into consideration, too. I would hit the southern schools first, when in session. Those will be the different ones, culturally, and he should see these schools WITH students. </p>
<p>As well, if you drive along 95 toward the south, you can stop at a few other schools along the way. We found one of our favorite schools this way -- . </p>
<p>Priceline has some great hotel deals and gas is cheap right now, so it might be worthwhile. </p>
<p>In my experience, some of these schools in person are very, very different than the websites and the reviews -- esp Dickinson --, so visiting is really crucial.</p>
<p>Accepted students days is the time when the school might not look like it would normally look and feel on any other day of the year. There might be a tastier fare at the food court, more manicured lawns, etc., but it gives your kid a chance to meet and interact with his future classmates and see how he would fit into that group. For DD, that was the decisive factor when she had to pick between her two top choices.</p>
<p>Great tips! That merit-aid/payment of visit could be a real opportunity! Hadn't thought of that; will check into it (we could tack a few other southern schools onto that same plane trip!). Interesting about the overload effect--we definitely experienced that when visiting schools--if we tried to cram even 2 schools into one day--the second school invariablely got a 'thumbs down' (i.e., "I'm tired/cranky; just get me out of here!").</p>
<p>Thanks for the added validation for accepted students day. Just thinking...in son's case the accepted day might not be until late Feb or something...which (given the number of schools he's applied to) could lead to an overload effect if we try to hit them in the same month.</p>
<p>This is really arguing for an early visit to nearly-free-ride school, since it's definitely on the table because of the $$. Although, was a little nervous to have son go there, then fall in love with it, feel swayed by the $$ -- but it's likely not the best program in his major & it is a big party school (although he'd be in honors--reportedly-less-party-zone---dorms). </p>
<p>Evidently I can find something to worry about from every conceivable angle.... :-)</p>
<p>Agree with BunsenBurner on aspects of accepted student days. Many schools have Facebook page for prospective, accepted students so that kids who are considering matriculating can get a look/see at other students.</p>
<p>We have twins who are now completing first semester of freshman year and were in the throes or applications, visiting at this time last year. Because of too much to do, we made ( IMO) the mistake of NOT visiting the schools the kids were really interested in by the Fall of senior year. We had visited a number of school-some of which they had eliminated for various reasons. Each child applied to between 8-12 schools ( many were the same) and received 8-9 acceptances. </p>
<p>By the time acceptances began arriving, we were now at the point of -"oh no, how do we know we would really like this place?". My queries here on CC recommended ( for the most part) against attending Accepted Student Days-as they are focused on marketing to close the deal. After attending two of those, I would tend to agree. </p>
<p>IMO, I would try to take child to a regular school session where they can attend class, go to student center and hopefully talk with students on an unprompted basis. That way, your S/D can get a better feeling for what may be right for them. I can say this strategy eliminated a "top of the list" school for S/D and reshuffled remaining list. I have also taken our kids during school breaks, which turned out to be a huge mistake since you cannot get a feel for the campus when students and faculty are not there.</p>
<p>Agree that there pros and cons of accepted student days, but remember, it is the only time your kid actually gets to see the kids who may be in his or her freshman class. Friends of my D contacted other accepted kids on Facebook and arranged to meet them on accepted day - one girl found her room mate that way.</p>
<p>A drawback to waiting for accepted student days if the applicant has many acceptances is simply time conflict. Back in the day my son only applied to schools as RD (or, in one case, rolling admission). Long about April 1 when all the acceptances arrived, he found that the accepted students days for some of these schools conflicted with others or were half-way across the country from one another. In the end, he never did visit one of the better schools to which he was accepted.</p>
<p>I agree with those who suggest that he make rolling visits between now and D day, but try to do overnights if the schools will arrange them, and attend some classes. Doing this "regionally" makes sense to me if you're going the chaperoning.</p>
<p>Hmmm. Interesting! I think a lot will depend on if we can get some cash (frankly) from the big-merit-$ school to go. After sending out tons of applications (at $50 a pop!) we need to accrue some more funds. But, hearing all this info is motivating to try and get at least a few visits out of the way, while classes are in session. </p>
<p>Agree that accepted student days are oriented as marketing tools to convince accepted students to come, and may not provide a completely realistic picture of what day-to-day life at the college would be like. I'm not sure how important it is to have the chance to meet in person fellow prospective freshman. Final piece of advice -- I would try to narrow the list of school choices a bit more. Our two older kids ended up choosing between 2 (D) and 3 (S1) schools. The smaller number of choices makes the logistics of visiting easier and makes the choice itself a little less confusing.</p>
<p>dadx3--that's true (narrowing the list)--a smaller number would be better..I just wish it were possible. Since a relevant factor in son's decision will be money (how much merit/other aid is offered) in order for it to be a workable choice, son won't really know the 'fiscally feasible' schools such that he can pick the top 2 or 3 from them until (I assume?) late Feb/early March, when financial aid packages come in. The only place were we know the majority of the $$ facts is almost-free-ride-U. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to check out at least that one! And, maybe visit the school that's 4 hours from us--he really likes it, even though we haven't seen the $$, yet.</p>
<p>I agree with BunsenBurner. Accepted students day is nothing more than a marketing tool and it's when the college presents its best sales pitch to parents and students. If you really want to get a feel for a campus, visit on a typical day. After your information session and guided tour, walk around on your own. Try to go into the freshman dorms and look around. Go back again at night (without a tour guide) to get another perspective on the atmosphere. Maybe you can time it so you can attend a college sporting event (basketball game, hockey game, etc.). Also, check out the library and the Student Center.</p>
<p>We had the kids narrow their accepted schools down to three and visited them between Nov. and Feb. After those visits, they pretty much narrowed their college list down to 2. We went back for one last visit to those 2 schools and after the 2nd visit, they made their choice. </p>
<p>Hint--if your kid feels strongly about 2 colleges in Feb., you may want to consider sending in a housing deposit then (usually you can get a refund if you request one before April-check their websites or email them and ask). The earlier you send the housing deposit in, the better.</p>
<p>I'd love for son to get the 'real world' experience of a school---at one school, the admiss counselor said he could 'shadow' a student -- attend a class or two, etc. I would think that would give a pretty true sense, plus exploring the campus/caf, as suggested.</p>
<p>Good tip about the housing deposits! I was getting a little nervous reading those college websites that say, "send in your housing deposit soon, because (in effect) a line forms for priority.' I'm glad to know we can wait until Feb to lay out $$ for that & not sacrifice priority (hopefully).</p>
<p>We had the same situation only it was at RD time in April, not EA time in December. So we picked the ones we had SERIOUS interest in, through a process of prioritizing interests, finances, and the ubiquitous "fit." We visited three schools in about 10 days. One school was interesting and had some factors we liked but some other factors we didnt like and only a visit flushed that out, another school which was NOT the number one choice blossomed on the visit and we had an "Epiphany" and that is where my D ended up going. In the end it was a very, very tough choice between two schools...and involved some tears and broken hearts.....friends who begged her to go with them to another school. But she is thriving and happy and we are glad she is learning to be independent and handle the "real world".</p>
<p>We are southerners. My D is in school in New York.</p>
<p>So it depends on what schools you have "in the bag now" and what schools remain. And you have to sort of weigh it all out. Pick 3 or 4 to visit and decide. </p>
<p>Where did he get in in the south? If you dont want to publicize that, then ping me in a PM. I can shed some light on them, perhaps. </p>
<p>Jolynne, Don't be surprised if accepted student days and FA packages don't come in until April. That's when S1's came in/were scheduled.</p>
<p>We avoided Accepted Student Days like the plague. S visited all of his schools (except one) in advance, talked to profs, students and got great feedback from friends in some of his regional/national ECs. If you can consoldiate trips and do it over semester break, that may be one way to go. S1 went back to his top three in April and did them as unofficial visits to avoid the marketing/admissions office pressure, etc. (love those frequent flyer/Amtrak mileage tickets!)</p>
<p>Are there any schools he has been accepted to that he could/would attend without a substantial FA package? Maybe you could start there (in addition to the almost full ride U) and work your way up the financial ladder. My D applied to 6 schools and has since eliminated 2 from the list! Funny how she had to apply in order to decide it just wasn't for her. Is your S still as interested in all of his schools?</p>