<p>I am a senior who has been accepted to seven schools so far. I recently went to visit what I thought was my first choice school. I know, very stupid of me to not visit before applying, but it sounded really great and basically perfect. My plan was apply to my #1 then just apply to where ever else, just in case, but I was certain I would be going there.</p>
<p>So I just got back from my overnight stay, and it was not everything I thought it would be.
I'm wondering if you had that moment while visiting a college? The "Oh my God, this is my new home" magical moment.
Or were you uncertain, then went, and now it's grown on you and you love it.</p>
<p>Just from my experience, I was actually completely certain I’d go go Brown when I was a senior. I received all my acceptances (including, low and behold, Brown). So I decided to take about a week and visit all the schools to which I was accepted. However, I “knew” I was going to pick Brown. But when I got to Brown, I did not feel at home. Just something didn’t feel right, and I left the campus rather disappointed. On that same trip I visited Dartmouth, which is my current school. I instantly fell in love with it here. Something about the campus just really made me feel at home, feel welcome, and feel like I belonged. Now, I say all this to say that visits are very important. Had I gone with my impressions before visiting I would probably be at Brown right now. Albeit, I could possibly be just as happy at Brown, but I’m incredibly glad I went with my gut feeling. I love it here at Dartmouth, and it really does feel like home. So while your impressions on visiting probably shouldn’t be the final say (D also offered me amazing finaid as a sway factor, for example), it should play a large part in your decision-making process, at least in my opinion.</p>
<p>I can’t stay for sure since I’m an entering freshman, but I went around and visited a bunch of colleges ahead of time.</p>
<p>At one point, I had settled on JMU because of the great food choices, well-equipped campus, and mass of majors.</p>
<p>The only thing that had put me off was the size. It was so large that I felt I would suffocate with all the people there.</p>
<p>But for a few months, I was sure I wanted to go there.</p>
<p>Then I visited W&M, and what can I say? It was perfect. An elite, small-town college for a small-town girl. </p>
<p>The campus is beautiful and has an authentic home-like feel. It felt personal, unlike JMU. It was a place I could much more easily see myself than JMU.</p>
<p>So I put my money there instead. And that’s where I’m heading in the Fall. I know I can’t be sure, but it just felt right to me.</p>
<p>So yeah, there was a “moment.” And I’m positive I made a much better choice. </p>
<p>I would definitely take your initial feelings into consideration before you make your choice. Your gut usually knows what it’s talking about.</p>
<p>I visited Washington University in St. Louis and had that moment. It surprised me because I’m not a sentimental person - I don’t trust “feelings.” But wow. Not only was this school near-perfect on paper and amazing in person, I literally felt at home. I can’t explain. That said, unless my visit to Stanford is disastrous, I will most likely not be in St. Louis next year. I think WashU will be extremely difficult to turn down (though technically I haven’t even been accepted yet…), but money (heck, and weather) dictate that I choose Stanford.</p>
<p>I think you should first consider money and opportunities schools offer you, educational and otherwise. But, all tangible differences being neglible, instincts can be important in making decisions. You want to feel connected to a school (though, of course, this feeling can happen over time as well).</p>
<p>YES. Brown was one of my top choices when I began my college search, until I visited the campus. I was not impressed and it was quickly erased from my list of top schools.</p>
<p>Also, UConn was my top choice for years (all throughout Middle School and early high school) …and then I went for a campus visit in September. I absolutely hated it and again, it came straight off the list.</p>
<p>Juuuust a small-town girl, livin’ in a loooonely wooorrrrld!!! (Sorry guys. Reflex reaction).</p>
<p>Anyways, I think it’s hard to truly get a sense of the school in one visit. In my opinion, you sort of have to be there for a while to really “love” it. Think of it as the difference between infatuation at first sight and actual love, haha. So while it’s possible to reallyyy not like the school at first glance, I don’t think it’s possible to actually ADORE it
Then again, I could be wrong. My college visits were all pretty cursory and not as in-depth as they should have been, due to time constraints. <em>angry face</em></p>
<p>My parents are urging me to go to Rhodes in Memphis because I received a big scholarship; however, I did not have any strong feelings of attachment after visiting at today’s scholarship symposium. In fact, I felt a little detached from everything. Maybe I’m just a rebellious teenager who subconsciously wants to make his life more difficult, who knows!? What is ironic is that today is also the day I received my packet with an acceptance as a Monroe Scholar to the College of William & Mary. Needless to say, I have spent most of my evening gawking at pretty pictures of the school and their website. Is it love? Possibly. Will financial aid make it attainable? GOD LET’S HOPE! hahaha</p>
<p>Yes, but only as I was leaving so it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. I got into the car with my fam and it kind of hit me, and I was just like, yep, I’m going to Wellesley. I hardly remember how I was that sure then… but it was such a strong feeling that I’ve trusted it for so long and never had doubts about where I want to go next year.</p>
<p>I remember visiting Washington University in St. Louis - it was spring, and the blossoms on the trees on campus that time were falling softly onto the (perfectly manicured) vibrant lawns. The “skinny bunny statue” looked across the central expanse of Hilltop like an unearthly sentinel from a dark and captivating fairy tale. The architecture of the academic buildings were robust and lovely at the same time. I remember thinking that the campus was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. The dorms were very comfortable, and the food! - I probably shouldn’t even start describing the food since it’ll make me very hungry. </p>
<p>I visited several classes, including freshman classes, was intimidated but wanted to take the challenge. </p>
<p>Needless to say, I fell in love with the WUSTL campus at first sight! (And I am still in love)</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t believe in perfection. So with my college search, I went into it knowing that I wasn’t going to have a sense of “perfect fit” with any one school. That being said, after the first week of college I realized that I have an amazing home for four years. It was a matter of good fit, not perfect fit. I have no complaints.</p>
<p>Not to mention that the facilities are in impeccable condition. I didn’t see a smear or speck of dirt anywhere. The students all looked happy and/or busy. I visited a class in which the professor even involved the smattering of visiting students (it was Discovery Weekend) into that day’s lesson.</p>
(Sorry guys. Reflex reaction).</p>