<p>I don’t think Tufts is looking for interest. They are looking for fit.</p>
<p>Tufts says the optional essay is truly optional - for some top kids who know everything else on the application is great, it may be fine to skip it. That said, it’s hard to believe that with all those choices there isn’t something that has the possibility of making you stand out. Of course, my son saw the optional choices the year he applied and looked forward to writing an alternative history essay for the entire application season, though he didn’t find time to write it until Christmas break. He knew he could show off his creativity and knowledge there in a way that was unlikely to come across in his standard essays or in the teacher recommendations. I wouldn’t send in a mediocre optional essay though. If he’s not willing to try to hit it out the ballpark, if nothing inspires him, he’s probably better off skipping it.</p>
<p>Interviewing is uncomfortable for most high school students, but I highly recommend that they do them. They rarely count for much, and learning how to interview is an invaluable skill.</p>
<p>The admissions guy from Bucknell who came to visit our HS said that for Bucknell, the optional essay is not really optional and I would imagine that is true for most schools. They only have so many ways to get a sense of you so if you can still send one in, I would try.</p>
<p>In terms of interviewing, I think it is a good idea for students to get used to it. One rep who came to our HS said, don’t come empty handed to the interview. Bring a resume if you have one or anything else you were involved in to talk about. I agree, it gives you and the interviewer something to talk about right away.</p>
<p>I think you simply opt in for an interview anywhere you can if it is within a couple hours drive. It’s a much harder decision if it involves significant travel or an overnite, unless it is both a Top Choice match/slight reach school for the student and the interview is recommended.</p>
<p>It is a shame if some colleges use visits as too much of a factor. For many students, it is more logical for them to visit AFTER they are admitted. I’m afraid of too much disappointment if a student falls in love with a selective college on a visit and gets denied. </p>
<p>Also, the visits for admitted students are much more in-depth and useful than the typical powerpoint and tour that is given on earlier visits. The colleges’ websites usually tell you much more than the standard admissions presentation.</p>
<p>If you can’t do a pre-admissions visit for a college that tracks interest, I’d recommend trying to attend a local admissions session by that college at your school or a travelling event and/or emailing the admissions rep directly with intelligent questions.</p>
<p>K,
I understand that 1K is a lot of money for some people. And believe that spending traveling money to make a visit is not a wise expenditure of funds especially when you can do everything remotely. If one is willing to spend time and money for a visitation, why not see other schools at the same time. I don’t think that CMU or prospective students believe that this is the only school in the hat. </p>
<p>Perhaps this school wants to show prospects that its buildings are just as plain as MIT’s?</p>
<p>It’s surprising and annoying that admissions reps say they want to be peppered with “extra essays” and made-up reasons to email. Really? At least one at an elite private school told our info session group, please do not send extra stuff, we do not have time to look at it.</p>
<p>If flying 1000 miles, going to the information session, taking the tour, and meeting with the rep at school isn’t enough love – too bad.</p>
<p>snowdog - I find the question of “extra stuff” to be particularly interesting and perplexing. I too have heard admissions reps say - don’t send it - and make fun of students who send in 20 letters of recommendation and so forth. Our hs GC made a point of saying to follow directions - if they only want 1 rec - send only 1.</p>
<p>But - on the other hand - I have seen students send extra things - and do very well in admissions. Not so much teacher recs as very elaborate resumes/activity charts or examples of published articles/research, etc. So - on a purely anecdotal basis - I would say if you do have an impressive extra item that you could send - perhaps you should send it.</p>
<p>^ You know, after a deferral and coming to the end of the application process, I think I’m getting jaded. My child put all the impressive stuff in the app - there is plenty of room to do that. Anyone can read the main EC accomplishments there and confirm them quickly with one google search, if they want to spend 10 seconds to do so - less time than it would take to read an “extra essay” or two and some pointless emails drummed up to “show interest.”</p>
<p>At some level I’m just not feeling having my child beg these people any further. Maybe that is good news for everyone else’s kid LOL.</p>
<p>^^snowdog: we were in your camp when D1 did it all, had stats over the 75%, visited everywhere, met everyone etc and was deferred and waitlisted to her top schools back in 2008…</p>
<p>Her comment mimicked yours: I’ve done enough jumping through hoops. I will go where I have already been accepted"</p>
<p>She turned out fine, but this whole demonstrated interest business…I am still skeptical four years later…</p>
<p>IMO, the only real way to show the love is ED…and not everyone can do that…</p>
<p>To answer the original question, our experience last year was no it did not hurt. My D was accepted at H, Y, Duke, Dartmouth and Boston College without a visit. Once she was accepted she was invited to an admitted students weekend visit. She did do a local H interview but never did connect with the Y interviewer and still got in. She visited Rice as a high school junior one summer day when we were in Houston and she got in there too though I have heard Rice tracks likes visits. I do think it is important to study the websites so you can answer the application questions about why you want to attend a particular school. She did have very good stats and recs. Hope this helps, good luck it is a stressful experience for sure. I am glad that is behind us for a while since our next child is only in first grade. By then the process will probably be very different.</p>
<p>“Just can’t afford it, and timewise, couldn’t do it.” - </p>
<p>If the school is not easily accessible and finances are an issue, make sure you factor travel into the total costs. Schools that offer no merit aid and will charge EFC (or more) may need to fall toward the bottom of your list anyway.</p>
<p>Students applying to the top colleges are usually crunched for time. This I well remember. But… keep in mind that many of these students are also busy in April, with commitments to EC competitions and sports etc. There is only time for a few visits to the top picks in April. </p>
<p>In our case, April was booked solid with required activities. We opted for a January visit to the two unvisited schools - CMU (sleeping bag weekend) and Case (which later gave one of DS’s best merit packages). Also visited grandma in Ohio;) </p>
<p>I’m glad we had the visits done early. It’s often not possible, but it can be very helpful.</p>
<p>I believe this is one of those issues that can make you crazy if you try to analyze it too much.</p>
<p>Based on 2 kids, total of 16 schools applied to, resulting in 3 rejections, one waitlist and 12 acceptances, here’s my take on it:</p>
<p>For private colleges/universities: the smaller the student body, the more important the school visits are. The bigger the school, the less they care about visits. Some publics(UVA, for example) come straight out and tell you that they don’t care about, and don’t keep track of, visits.</p>
<p>That’s it, in a nutshell… Not counting the Ivys, which are an unknowable breed unto themselves, and a crapshoot for kids like mine. (White, east coast, suburban, unhooked, smart but not of the “built his own computer at age 3” variety, good but not spectacular extra curriculars.)</p>
<p>My S told me that a CMU rep came to visit their school and told them that most applicants don’t even visit. I find that really hard to believe, although they may get a lot of intl. students applying. We’re making sure there’s plenty of contact there because S is applying to the School of Computer Science, which is very difficult to get into - visit, school rep session, open house, etc.</p>
<p>Although visits can help, they are not the deciding factor. A friend’s son visited CMU from out of state, met with faculty, and did an overnight. He felt that the interview and faculty meeting went very well. He had perfect Math SATI and SATII scores (lower in Writing and CR), and 5s on 9 AP tests. He still was rejected.</p>
<p>Seems to me that campus visits should made for the benefit of the student–not to impress the college. If interviews are offered (alumn or on campus) then have one. I agree that visits are not the deciding factor…but an interview could be a tipping point (and to decline one, if offered, is not a good idea).</p>