Hi. I have a friend whose daughter has been accepted to several great schools. Two or three of the schools, none of which she has visited (for financial reasons), are now the top contenders. D plans to visit schools in April. My friend, her mom (M), is trying to figure out when D should visit the schools. Complicating factors: 1) The family is not quite impoverished but close to it. Attending an admitted students’ program at each school would result in D’s travel costs being covered or reimbursed. 2) But reimbursement for travel costs is contingent on D attending entire programs (four days at each of two schools). D is extremely stressed because of school and music activities as it is, and spending eight days away this month seems daunting. 3) M wants to go with D, even though her travel costs will not be reimbursed, she has just started a new job, and her work schedule conflicts with some of the potential admitted students’ program dates. 4) Father is around but M does not want him to travel with D.
I’ve advised that the most important thing is that D see the top contender schools and that, based on what M has told me, D not miss two music rehearsals (extremely personally significant). I’ve also advised that M going along, while not bad, is not essential. Finally, I’ve suggested that attending the full admitted students’ programs, while desirable because of the reimbursement, is probably not necessary for purposes of D’s decision making.
Any thoughts?
I would have the dd ask whether the school would pay to fly her out at a time that’s better for the family. Can’t hurt to ask.
I think M did ask and the colleges said they’d only pay if D attended the full programs. Unfortunate for busy high school seniors!
None of my D’s six offered me any reimbursement, so I’m jealous! I should have asked.
I think it’s really valuable to visit at least once before committing, if at all possible. Try to visit each region, if not every candidate college there. Book on Southwest, Amtrak or some other refundable carrier, or drive. If your kid finds a fit, you may not have to finish the itinerary. Your student will be sleeping on a dorm floor, so you can save bucks if you set your sights on equally humble accommodations for yourself!
I’ve never heard of a four-day program for accepted high schoolers. The longest one we’ve been offered, at Macalester, was a day and a half. Four days is an unreasonable expectation, given the demand to keep your last semester’s grades up. My kid has had umpteen excused absences the past month, but teachers are accommodating. Their goal is to pass kids on to colleges, and our kids are making that step, so it’s a win-win.
So maybe you devote two long weekends to trips, spending a day or two at two campuses in one region?