College Visits after application submission/deadline + question about holistic review

Applying to College
1

I’m applying to a college that has a deadline in January-ish, but I’m turning the app in by next week so I can secure a spot for an off campus interview. Demonstrated interest in the college is pretty important, and it’s a reach for me, but slightly likely (like 20% ish). We made a last minute plan to visit over winter break, but there are a few issues: I’m halfway across the country, need at least 2 days for travel, ED and EA results come out before, and the next available tickets for flights are on the 31st, which is pretty close to the beginning of spring semester (not that I’ll like really… care as much) and my first SciOly tournament of the year. Assuming I don’t get in anywhere early (probably very unlikely), is it ok to visit a college after I’ve submitted my app or even after the deadline? Also, how do I indicate this, and my planned interview, on the Common App? Do I just put the planned month and put the fact that both are coming up in additional info?

Also, I have a short question about “holistic” reviews. How “holistic” are “holistic” reviews? A lot of the colleges I’m applying to have laid claim to fully holistic reviews, but let’s face it: schools like UCB and UCLA are largely stat driven. My GPA took a nosedive (literally, I plotted my cumulative GPA by semester on a graph, and it’s terrifying) sophomore year (the most unfortunate year) due to some personal problems that were addressed in recs and additional info. My sophomore year grades are not a representation of who I am, and 70% of my B’s come from that grade alone (the other three were from an elective, APUSH, and Pre-Calc Honors, all first semesters of their respective years). How will colleges take this into consideration?

2

I can only advise on the first part of your question. I would not at this point visit a college that you have applied to, because once acceptances come out (you may not get in, and therefore the visit was a total waste of money,) you are surely going to want to attend an accepted students day, meaning another trip. At this point, visitng a campus is not going to make a difference. I mean, they will not reject an apppilcation just based on your failure to visit. Lots of kids are unable to visit colleges, especially ones involving plane journeys. Please do not waste time and money doing this. You can show interest by logging to your portal for the college, or maybe email or call if you have to ask about something important,like having to do,with your app. Be aware that at this time AOs are now very busy reading apps, so you run the risk of annoying them. The fact that you have arranged an interview show,interest.

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