<p>My parents say that college visits don't really matter. If you can get into to a Tier 1 school why question it?</p>
<p>However, I have heard that colleges can "make or break" your decision. Some people have discovered their college simply by visiting and just feeling that "this is it" feeling.</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>Depending on the college, it is a HUGE deal or not at all. To some colleges, it’s known as “demonstrating interest”. These colleges rarely accept students who do not demonstrate interest. (WashU, Emory, Rice, etc.) Then, there are some colleges and universities that get SO MANY visitors, they couldn’t possibly bother to keep track…(Ivies fall in here).</p>
<p>So it depends on the college and how many applicants. If you want your best shot: visit! Take a tour, pick up a newspaper, sit in the information session, go on their “special visit tours”, eat in the cafeteria, talk to students, visit the library, and schedule an interview if you can. Then, that way, next year, you won’t be wondering, “did I do everything I could have done to get accepted?”</p>
<p>Thank you! I am considering Princeton, UT Engineering, Johns Hopkins, and Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Should I visit in the summer or during the school year?</p>
<p>I think we are planning a set of college visits in the summer to at least get a feel for the campus and THEN if I need to, visit again.</p>
<p>Or is it not even worth visiting in the summer without students roaming around?</p>
<p>Again, this depends. Depends on where you live. Depends on how extensive you make your trips (fly in/fly out, or are you visiting others in the area?) Princeton and JHU are very close, and doable within one day, but to do it well, plan one day = one college. </p>
<p>Of course it’s best to visit in the fall (too late now. Colleges are in the midst of exams), but don’t wait until there’s no time. Best to plan ahead, because there are SO MANY colleges to consider (big/small, Nat’l/LAC, private/public, NE/West/South/Midwest) and a lot of this helps to determine what you like and what you don’t. That is, you want to generalize your learning as well as make it specific.</p>
<p>Finally, I always found visits particularly helpful when you have to write, “Why this college?” type of essay.</p>
<p>Summer visits are less valuable than school year visits, but there is a still a “feel” to be gathered from the architecture, layout, and location of the campus. For example, Dartmouth and Columbia will have unique vibes even without kids wandering around.</p>
<p>I do think there is something to be said for fit, which is something that is partially determined by visits. Your plan sounds great.</p>
<p>My son liked doing visits on school days while there were kids on campus going about thier day so he could get a true feel for what the campus was like, sit in on classes, talk with the students, meet with professors etc.</p>
<p>Also when we went to his first choice school visit it just did’nt seem to click with him and he really did’nt like it. When we went to his second choice school he had that “this is it” feeling and he knew that day thats where he was going to go. Although we did go look at more schools just to be sure.</p>
<p>kela10- Thanks! I really wanted to hear a personal experience about the “this is it” feeling, hopefully I get that feeling and hopefully the college will want me also!</p>
<p>Visit during the school year, treat the visit as ‘informational’ for yourself only, and don’t let the vagaries of weather sway you too much!</p>
<p>And trust your feelings.</p>
<p>Should my parents come with me?</p>
<p>Only if you want them to. In your case, it seems as though they’re already involved quite enough, no?</p>
<p>Very important. I recommend them to alot of people on this board to visit some of the schools they apply too. I don’t care what kind of ranking they have on paper, if the actual campus life does not look too pleasing, then you just saved an application fee.</p>
<p>I think the most important visits are after you get in. My advice (controversial perhaps) is save the $1500 trip and spend it on apps. Apply to every good school (reaches). See where you get in. Visit accepted students days to see where you best fit in.</p>
<p>Marsden- surprisingly enough not really! My dad says that I should go alone, but I wanted my parents to come with me so we could both see the college and I wouldn’t come home adoring or hating a college and them not knowing what I’m talking about</p>
<p>Good point then. Why do your parents say that visits don’t matter?</p>
<p>I can’t imagine matriculating at a college I hadn’t even visited.</p>