<p>Daughter is a HS Junior - am wondering if the "open house" events are worthwhile? We've been to several schools on non "event" days and have had good visits. Have a chance to see a school very high on her list soon and am debating whether or not to schedule for the "Junior" day in late March. One of the reasons we've enjoyed our other trips is that she's had lots of one on one time with tour guides/admissions people (Side note: the school in in Ohio (we're from deep south)....considering taking her in February so that she can see what the winter weather is like!)</p>
<p>Differing opinions on the ad hoc visits versus the canned and planned visits. But one thing is for certain, only visit when school is in session and you can talk to students walking around, in dorms and in the cafeteria. Otherwise, you are simply looking at buildings.</p>
<p>Football weekends seem to be prime visiting time at my university. I would think any time that you could see the campus filled with people would be good. If you have the luxury of a multi-day stay, a Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday visit might be best, so you could see campus on a weekday and weekend day.</p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t go with open houses and similar events. I’ve been to them, and while they’re usually fun and it’s nice to meet other prospective students, they’re not really representative of campus life. Most universities have an active tour schedule, so you can show up most any week and get a tour, then still be free to walk around campus without a planned event, to see what it’s really like.</p>
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Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. I went from the tropics to northern Indiana, and the weather is definitely the biggest issue I’ve had. It’s important to understand the difference going in.</p>
<p>Depends on the student’s personality. For D2, attending an info session was often the kiss of death for a school. She just hated those perky admissions people. Open house days would have turned her off completely, but she could handle a tour. Other people might have the opposite response.</p>
<p>We went on visits during planned events, and just on our own, and I felt the planned events didn’t allow enough time to just sit and observe, “listen” to students discuss classes over lunch in the cafeteria, or talk to random students. Of course, the tour guides are going to say what admissions wants them to say, and that is ok, but it’s the off the cuff conversations that gave us a much more personal feel for the schools. My D did a few overnights, which really helped too. At one school, by the end of the overnight visit, she knew for sure she would NOT be applying. She was disappointed, but glad she had done the visit.</p>
<p>First thing is that whatever you do, try to visit a school when it is in session. It is important to not only see the campus, but to see the students and try to get a feel for each school. Typically we had better luck doing the standard information session/campus tour compared to the open houses, primarily because the open houses are often very crowded. But look at the schedule for the open house – at one or two schools they were really worthwhile because the kids could sit in on classes, meet professors etc. There is no one answer for every school and to a certain extent it depends on the time you have available to make the trips. Going for a visit in the cold weather does make sense though… Good luck.</p>
<p>Different school treat their openhouse/admitted-students things differently. EG at UVA it is not very structured at all; at Wake Forest they have you meet at the Chapel before and after with a long talk; and William and Mary’s admitted students thing was a hot mess. Just be aware that it is not a great representation of how the school will be to attend. </p>
<p>I think even if you go on an open house day, you need to strike out on your own for a few hours to look around at the people and places; These people might be your future classmates and you want to make sure that you like the cut of their jibs.</p>