<p>I probably should not be worrying now over things we cannot change, but my D applied to a few schools she has never visited. Given that we are in CA and most of her applications were sent East, we just could not visit all of the schools, especially those that were a bit out of the way or added to her list later in the process. Do schools understand this? As it is, the costs of the visits was significant.</p>
<p>Schools should understand but would she want to spend four years at a school she has never seen?</p>
<p>It was late November before I got to applying to the Eastern schools. I had already been accepted to the highly selective state school and they were tossing a bucket of money at me. Late in my app season, I was grabbed by the Ivy bug. I got everything done just in time. </p>
<p>I felt the info I rec'd was enough to get me to "throw my hat in". But I visited in Feb of my senior year to see which I would really want to attend (amongst them and the school I had alread been accepted into).</p>
<p>By visiting the campuses, I was able to confirm what I previously thought (thru info sessions & speaking w/students). By the time I boarded the plane at JFK, I had them ranked in my mind.</p>
<p>I don't think not visiting inherently hurts your admit chances if you D was able to express to the adcom why she felt it could meet her needs and how she could contribute. If her knowledge of the schools was incomplete and/or flawed, it may have shown through and hurt her app.</p>
<p>And, what if she's accepted by all of them? Then what?</p>
<p>If accepted, many schools have programs to entice "accepts" to matriculate. Have her contact the top schools and ask for financial assistance if needed -- ususally money is available . HTH</p>
<p>A LOT of kids end up going to schools they had no opportunity to visit. And A LOT of kids wait for their admission decisions, and then visit only the schools where they are accepted and are considering attending.</p>
<p>Sure, it's nice to see all the schools you are applying to, but not everyone can afford it, and I think most schools do understand that.</p>
<p>The schools at the very top (HYPMS) do not consider "demonstrated interest" at all - they assume that everyone is interested ;)...</p>
<p>We most certainly intend to visit the schools to which my daughter is accepted and in which she has the most interest; we just couldn't do it all before applying. Her spring break is the first two weeks of April. Unfortunately, the airfare will need to be purchased on short notice and will be expensive.</p>