<p>I have a big problem and on many of the apps there are entire sections devoted to asking whether or not I've visited the campus etc.</p>
<p>I have done my research about the said colleges but i cant afford to take a plane to every college i want to apply to :( nor is there enough time actually.</p>
<p>so when they ask me if i visited the campus etc, how much will it hurt me when i have to say no i havent visited?</p>
<p>totally depends on the college in question...some really care; others could care less....need to be more specific.....</p>
<p>I don't think it will hurt you a lot, but when my interviewer asked me this question and I said no, I think I saw a tiny frown.</p>
<p>Just tell them you have done a lot of research on the school and would love to visit if only you could.</p>
<p>I didn't visited Duke University recently (did so a long time ago) and said so on my application and interview and I still got in and I am going to be a Duke Blue Devil '13, so I don't think its a big deal.</p>
<p>I doubt it's a make or break situation, I can't see it swaying your entire app. If you end up on an interview, just say you fully intend to spend as much time as possible if you get accepted and just didn't have time before hand.</p>
<p>Most colleges are cognizant of the poor state of the economy and understand if you did not visit their schools because you could not afford a trip. Like phoenixtree said, compensate for not visiting by researching the school and letting that research shine through on your application.</p>
<p>Some schools are really into you visiting (like W&L) and they'll make a note in your file if you've visited, where others are really aware that it's hard to visit all your schools and won't care as much. If it is a school you can't visit, but it interviews, maybe go for that to show your interest level is high.</p>
<p>If you haven't visited, and you're really far away (a plane ride away), that's definitely understandable. If the question is asked during an alumni interview, then you should respond by saying that you haven't visited, but you want to- and look on the college's website; some have virtual tours.</p>
<p>My parents are only allowing me to visit on acceptance basis. I agree, some families just don't have the resources to visit everywhere.</p>
<p>It does not matter at all at ivies and other top colleges with high yields that do not care about demonstrated interest.</p>
<p>It matters a lot at schools that do look for demonstrated interest. Simply, their yield is much higher among those who visited. With these schools if you can't visit I'd make a point of you or your counselor explaining to the regional rep that finances don't allow you to visit.</p>
<p>Skullduggery- A lot of parents do that. And it's definitely understandable if, especially now, your parents aren't willing to shell out several hundred dollars to visit a college (remember cost of plane ride + hotel).</p>
<p>However, if you're in the area anyway (vacation? parents on a business trip?), it might make sense to visit. I've done this for CA, Boston, and Atlanta.</p>
<p>Molliegym -- I tried explaining that to my parents, but they're pretty solid on it. Even though I'm not auditioning for a music major anymore (I think I am going to call and switch to a minor this week), they're being stringent: "we're only going to the ones you know you want to attend." Well, yeah, but how am I supposed to be sure of that if I can't visit? Their perspective is simply to see on Accepted Students Days, but they won't listen to the problem about having to cram eight or nine visits into one month. Sure, some schools are far away, but some are as close as three hours and we simply don't have the extra money right now. :/</p>
<p>However, personally, a friend of mine goes to Loyola Maryland, and she's offered to let me stay with her if I go to visit Goucher on my own. Another friend of mine goes to DePauw, but I don't quite think that my parents would let me board with a college boy...</p>