What are the advantages of going to visit a school for Accepted Student days vs. visiting during a regular time? If you had to make a decision based on only one visit, would you choose to go to an Accepted Student day event with the overnight, or try to get a sense of the campus on an ordinary day?
S is thrilled beyond measure to have two acceptances in hand already from schools at the top of his list. (And me too, that’s for darned sure!) But we haven’t visited any of the colleges; we live overseas, and just can’t afford multiple visits, so we decided to visit only after hearing any acceptances.
Of course the Accepted Student visits are designed to get students to commit, so I figure they’re a dog-and-pony show. But dog-and-pony shows can be pretty enjoyable, and I guess they’d give a sense of what the other potential classmates are like, etc. On the other hand … is that the best time to visit, or would a more low-key time be more revealing? Anyone have thoughts or impressions on that?
The advantage of an Accepted Student day visit, I think is that you get a lot of exposure to your potential classmates and peers, plus they ensure that a lot of informational ground is covered. That would be my first choice. (Even the dog and pony show is information about what the school’s priorities are.)
But if that doesn’t work out due to scheduling, ensure that the independent visit includes an overnight if possible, and also an opportunity to interact specifically with people/professors in your kid’s areas of interest.
IMO, all college visits with schedules sessions led by the admissions department are dog-and-pony shows. (Not that these aren’t useful, however.) The difficult part of any visit is to get around the we’re-awesome-show and see the college for what it truly is. Choose a time to visit that makes sense logistically and gives you the most opportunity to pull back the college’s veil.
If weather is a factor, visit at a time that is most representative of the weather your child will experience.
I also think you can see potential peers during any visit… current students will be your peers too and an excellent representation of the incoming class.
Purpose of the visit would be for S to get a sense of where he feels most comfortable and could envision himself spending his college time happily. I do feel that we already have a strong sense of school priorities, programs, courses/depts, how the requirements work, etc, since that was a big part of the winnowing process before he decided where to apply. The really key thing would be to get a “feel” for schools beyond student reviews, websites, emails, and CC trip reports. (Which are really useful and very much appreciated, being at such a distance! We’ve gotten a strong sense of a range of schools, thanks to google. But ultimately I think he’ll decide based on how he feels during visits.)
Weather, hehe, S has such weird ideas about what he likes … things like snow, rain and gray skies are actually “plus points.” What can I say, LOL, it’s not me!
Accepted Student Day can also help eliminate choices - which can also be a good thing! My D went to an Acceptance Day at a large state school for engineering - and the girls assigned to mentor her stayed out late and skipped the morning classes my D wanted to attend. Fortunately her #1 choice acceptance letter was in mailbox when we got home. This was back in the Old Days @ 2004 - when schools actually snail-mailed acceptance letters
Have you visited any of the subject schools yet? We have found, especially with the students our church helps, that accepted student days are a great resource. These kids have had virtually no exposure to colleges and other college students so the more they see the more comfortable they are. If you haven’t seen any of the schools, there is always the chance of surprise both positive and negative. That is the tricky part especially when merit awards are in the mix.
I will tell you the campus reviews on College Niche are extremely accurate, as is the food section.
I would choose to go on accepted students day, mainly because (as stated above), your son will get a chance to interact with his potential classmates and peers.
@MomonALaptop My DS has the exact same view of weather. He wanted a cold LAC with warm accepting people. He thought it was a huge plus that Hamilton had snow on the ground from Oct to May and enjoyed Beloit’s negative 0 wind chill.
We have not visited any of the colleges D has applied to as well. We live in Hawaii and went on a multi-visit trip to California colleges last year, but she didn’t end up applying to any of them.
Most of her choices on the east coast, and the plan is to visit in February. The decisions we have thus far are mostly safeties, and I think these are the most important to visit. I know she will love her reach schools, the key is could she be happy in the honors program of the less prestigious colleges (and make more sense financially).
For the college trips we did take, getting away for the party line and finding time to venture was important. For the most genuine interactions, checkout the shopping area next to campus, spend some time in the library, and cruise the main building(s) for your child’s major. Find an excuse to talk to students/staff who are not part of the admissions welcome wagon.
Your weather comment made in smile. D thinks she loves winter too. Once she spends some of February in PA, NY, MA, and NH, we will see if that holds true.
