Trying to figure out if going to Accepted Students Day next month is worth it. DS is already committed to a college because of ED, so it’s not like attending the AS Day will sway him one way or the other. But he’d be able to hear from some club leaders and also maybe some professors who might inspire him. On the other hand, he’s attending this school no matter what. Any thoughts? Waste of time? Four-hour drive for us. Thanks!
My D who was accepted at ED, did go to accepted students day. It got her even more excited about her choice, she got some more in depth information on programs she was interested in and got more familiar with the campus. Even met some kids a year ahead of her, who remembered her when she moved in in August. It was very much worth it for her to attend.
My kid didn’t because we were thousand miles away. She was committed already and the school also had an orientation week prior to when classes started, so we didn’t feel it was necessary. The day is really for students who are still undecided.
My ED kid did go to an Admitted Students event, which included an overnight in the dorm, social activities, departmental open houses etc. Being back on campus, seeing prospective classmates, meeting with faculty, was just one more way for him to feel ready and confident about the fall. We are a comfortable drive from campus, so not a stretch to get there. We would not have considered it if it involved flights etc.
A 4 hour drive isn’t super overwhelming. If it works in his schedule and he is interested, I’d encourage it.
My son was admitted ED and is going to the Admitted Student’s event. For him, the biggest draw is the chance to see inside the different dorms before he has to list one for his housing preference. There appears to be quite a variation in dorm condition, location, types of people who choose to live there and distance to dining hall and when we toured the tour didn’t include a look inside any of the rooms. Plus, he’s a quiet kid and this will give him a chance to meet a few people and feel comfy.
Went to admitted students day with D16 (5 hours) - because she was so excited. Being the first round of college admissions for us, I didn’t realize many of the students there would still be deciding! Regardless, she enjoyed it and she did meet a few people. I remember a few sessions that were helpful, such as an IT discussion. It was worthwhile for us overall.
Agreed! four hour drive? What else do you have to do? 
I think it is totally worth it. You become more comfortable on the campus/ with the school, and you get to meet many of your future classmates.
If you are undecided, if you visit both colleges, it may help you decide. If you are committed already, it will still do everything named in the first paragraph.
Thanks, all! We’ve been encouraging him to go. I think he’ll say yes.
I think if it is not too onerous to go, then I would say go. They get more familiar with the campus and meet some people. They may also learn about other clubs/support systems on campus.
That being said, my eldest didn’t attend any admitted students day because we lived in Germany at the time. The younger one (who did ED) didn’t because we must have gone on spring break vacation or something.
My daughter, who got into her school ED, wants to go to the admitted students day (it is about 2 hours away from home). I have to admit that I would have been very disappointed if she didn’t–more for ME than for her. My husband was the one who took her to the visit in the fall when she fell in love with the school, so I haven’t seen it yet and it will make it easier to picture her there and start mentally preparing for our empty nest. Not that it’s all about me…
Both of our kids went to Accepted Student Day. It wasn’t an ED situation, but both of them were certain they were going to commit to their respective school.
D1 was happy to scope out the dorms. It helped her rank her choices and decide on an LLC. She also had the chance to meet with an advisor and buy swag at the bookstore.
D2 was able to get her student ID and register for classes, even before officially committing. H and D2 also enjoyed getting some swag at the bookstore.
We went, but it was a two hour drive for us. The nice things were:
– She got even more excited about attending the school.
– We did the obligatory shopping for t-shirt, hoodie, bumper sticker.
–She had become facebook friends with some other students in a group and a bunch of them met up which was fun for her.
– They gave tours of the possible freshman dorms and she found she had a preference of where she wanted to live.
No regrets at all about going.