Any advice on whether one should do college visits before the application process.
Some of the BSMD programs I am applying to are quite far away… I don’t think we can visit all of them. Do colleges give preference to students who have visited the college and have shown interest?
You should search for the Common Data Set for each college to see if interest matters. Remembering that the window is short between acceptances and May 1, so it can be expensive and stressful to wait to visit. It also helps to visit matches and safeties especially, as the oddsste highest that you will end up there.
@EasyG9 Since BS/MD programs have a required in person interview, you will get an opportunity to visit. But invariably it is going to be a very short visit (red eye flight) since it is during Jan-March and you may not be able to skip many days of HS.
For non BS/MD programs, it is recommended you visit at least before committing. In general most of the schools do not give any preference, especially public universities. At least that is how we felt based on our experience 2 cycles back. My D did not feel the need to visit and we did not go to any campus including the nearby. She applied only to BS/MD programs with the exception of UC (Univ of California - In State) and Vanderbilt (felt it gives Merit aid). So got admitted to all UC and Vanderbilt. She got 4 interviews for BS/MD and obviously we visited. Only at that time both of us realized it is important to visit (though it is just few hours) before committing. She told she will not join even if she gets accepted (Drexel - no longer offers BS/MD) and I felt (NEOMED) is going to be hard (primarily there is nothing for the students to do except for the college, remote and isolated). Understand for folks living in West coast it is hard to visit since most of the BS/MD programs east of Rocky mountains. See what works best for your situation. GL.