<p>Posted this under Bentley, but now I'm curious as to other schools' policies about prospective students shadowing enrolled student - either for the day, or overnight. DD was accepted to Bentley and was thrilled. No fin aid tho. So we felt it was important for her to shadow a student at ea of her top schools before making final decision and shelling out $45,000+. We have gone to info sessions, tours, and are planning to go to special events for accepted students. But, think she can get much better perspective by going to class(es), eating in cafeteria w/other students, possibly staying overnight in dorm while shadowing a student on her own (without parents in tow). Bentely is only one of her top 3 schools that does not allow shadowing. I thought this practice was pretty widespread, and can't understand why colleges wouldn't want to give prospective students every opportunity to discover if school is a good match. And, since she was EA, she could shadow anytime in the next 3 months (not like she waited until the last minute to make the request). Wondering if there are many other schools out there that "just say no" to this (reasonable) request. What has your experience been? Wondering if this suggests an attitude on Bentley's part toward both prospective students, and to supporting students once they enroll.</p>
<p>Many prospies do stay a night or two with a student who shows them around and takes them to classes. Mostly this coinsides with the college's new admit program in the spring. My D was not able to overnight officially at one school because she could only be there a day before the program. So instead I found a very helpful parent here on CC and my D overnighted with her D. I'd guess that the reason some colleges don't offer custom visits is because it's too hard to coordinate the logistics for individual overnights.</p>
<p>Thanks, entomom. Think you're right about coordinating overnights. But the other 2 schools she's been accepted at allow her to shadow student to classes and cafeteria for the day, no overnight. Bentley didn't even offer the daytime shadowing.</p>