<p>My S has received several invitations to attend local information sessions for schools which we have already visited and which he is interested in. Is there any point in attending such sessions? I doubt that we will get much info that wasn't already presented at the on-campus information session. There may be the possibility to speak directly to the admissions officer that handles our region. Would it count as any more expression of interest to those schools that care about interest?</p>
<p>I enjoyed going to visits because I appreciated the opportunity to practice networking skills with the admissions officers at the events, however with all the tours and visits I’ve done I think I’ve had the same info repeated to me like four times. Most likely they won’t be any new information unless someone asks a question he hasn’t heard yet.</p>
<p>You’ll likely meet local alumni and learn what they’re doing after graduation.</p>
<p>The local alumni association of my dd’s first choice have a full scholarship for a student from the local area, so it would show that group you’re interested.</p>
<p>If it’s a school that tracks interest and considers interest when evaluating applications, then yes, it could be a smart thing to go to these information sessions. For some schools, the more ways you can demonstrate interest, the more they like you. </p>
<p>And if your son can meet and talk to the regional admissions officer – that alone is a good reason to go. If s/he can put a face to that name on the application, and remembers meeting your son and is impressed, s/he could go for bat for him during committee discussions. </p>
<p>Plus, if this is a safety or match school, showing interest demonstrates that you are really considering the school, and that you aren’t applying there “just in case” you don’t get into any reach schools.</p>
<p>It’s not essential, and there definitely will be some repetition, but you might want to go if it’s convenient because such events can offer new perspectives. At the local session for my daughter’s first-choice school, four recent alumni gave presentations on their experiences on campus and answered questions from the audience. I thought the alumni were quite informative, especially because their stories were indicative of the very varied experiences that people could have at this large university.</p>
<p>Our GC advised S to email the regional adcom expressing regrets that he would be unable to attend the local session due to another commitment. He included comments about how much he had enjoyed his campus visit and last years local session. This was for a session that would attract a hundred or more students that S had attended last year and would have taken up at least half of a precious weekend day. BTW, his commitment included studying for an important exam, working on one of EC projects and spending time with his family.</p>
<p>I think it depends on two things: whether a school tracks interest and whether the program will be different than the typical information session.</p>
<p>We don’t track interest, but our evening programs are heavy on tips about writing effective essays. The exception would be evening programs done with other schools, when we only get 5-10 minutes each to give a brief overview.</p>
<p>Call the school and ask. You don’t have to give your name (usually) and I think many will be frank about the content and whether they track interest.</p>
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<p>My youngest D went to two of these (both were small LACs that did track interest). She really enjoyed the program presented by one of the LACs, which was basically alums discussing how the college influenced their lives and careers. There were older alums as well as recent grads. D felt it was a worthwhile session.</p>