My son’s favorite schools he was admitted to are out of state and we have not seen the campuses yet. With the Corona Virus limiting travel and college access, Plus out of state tuition, I am wondering if anyone would go to a school they can’t see before acceptance?
We are going through the exact issue. We had planned to see 5 of my son’s top 5 choices in early April and they have already cancelled tours/events at two of the schools. This May 1 date is looming…
Its sort of scary… but I am afraid Im over-reacting? I guess it will be a wait and see
Are you talking about colleges?
You posted in the prep school admissions forum and boardings schools generally don’t hand in state/out of state tuition differences.
I am really struggling with this issue on the Prep School front. My daughter really THINKS she wants to go to a school we haven’t, and now cannot, visit. I’m a wreck over it.
It makes sense that you are struggling. Our son is a freshman at boarding school. While one can’t be certain how one would respond, I can say that I would NOT have allowed to him enroll in his BS without a revisit whereas my husband and son say they absolutely would have been okay with it. While nothing can replicate/replace revisit days I think the advice on another thread of speaking to current families/students, reading the handbook, and looking at social media are all excellent ideas. Best of luck to you and your family and I’m sorry you are in this situation.
Thank you. Yes, I am following that thread closely. I have reached out to the school to inquire about alternative arrangements but the situation is new and unique so the school, understandably, is not yet sure how to respond/accommodate. I think we likely will send our daughter to the “safe” choice we have seen, but will she always wonder, “what if?’ I can just pray she will learn to love her school and be very happy. I think she will flourish, but I’m just a mom. . . What do I know? ?
@southernfemmom - what makes you the most nervous about not seeing the campus in person? I am just curious, not saying it isn’t a legit response to this terrible situation.
@CateCAParent I can get on board with not seeing it in person, but my husband is a hard no on that. He will not entertain a discussion of sending her to a school he hasn’t seen. A lot of it is that we don’t know anyone who has ever attended this school, it is very far away, in a state we aren’t familiar with. My husband was reluctant about boarding school in general, so it’s just too big a leap.
Ah. Got it.
I would probably be similarly concerned, but don’t know. Thinking back to college (different, I know), my brothers and I all went off sight unseen to colleges across the country. And we didn’t have the internet to exhaustively research, either. My dad came with me to help move me in, but my brothers were on their own. That sounds nuts to me now. Didn’t seem weird at the time. People used to ship their kids off these schools without seeing them. The schools haven’t changed (if anything they are safer) but our culture has around them. Not saying that is a bad thing, just musings.
Have you said what school it is? Maybe someone on the board can give you the inside scoop. Or we might know kids at the school.
Is it episcopal? I know kids there if you want some info.
Thanks, @one1ofeach . It’s Grier School in PA. I started a thread asking if anyone can provide insight. We did get to visit Episcopal and it is a wonderful school. We also know kids who have gone there and had a great experience. We also have had great visits at Madeira and Chatham Hall. Grier, however, offers some really unique programs that excite our daughter and she also is enthusiastic about their STEAM electives. We do have other great choices, but would love to see Grier to see if she loves it just as much in person.
Got it, @southernfemmom
Good luck! Does she have a virtual tour guide?
We are working with AO to develop a plan. Like many schools, they are dealing with transitioning to online classes, etc. we would want their first priority to be current students and faculty. They have been great and I think they will do what they can to help us after the get a handle on more pressing issues
Fingers crossed for you, @southernfemmom . I hope they can connect you. It’s a lovely place.
We have a current high school junior and were planning to visit 5 or 6 universities during the 2 week spring break (this is the first week). Needless to say, all visits were cancelled by the schools within the last 10 days or so.
But to answer the OP, yes I think we would send our kid to a university without having visited officially. I hope it doesn’t come to that, though.
ETA: Just realized that OP posted in the prep school forum, although was asking about colleges. Oops.