<p>Alright guys,
Well my parents and I have been arguing lately about whether or not I should visit colleges. I KNOW UVA is the school for me. Both my parents and I know that I would choose UVA over all other schools including HYPMS. However, they still want me to visit other schools just incase I dont get into UVA. I'm basically banking on getting into UVA and don't want to go look at other schools because I know I'll go to UVA if I get in. I tried telling my parents that I can go look at other schools if I'm accepted to them and denied from UVA but they still want me to look. Should I go? (btw I'm OOS)
Thanks for the help guys</p>
<p>I think you should definitely visit other schools, especially if it’s what your parents want. If you don’t get into U.Va, you will have knowledge about other options. And you want to have plenty of schools to compare between so that you know that U.Va is the place for you. You seem sure that U.Va is your dream school, but I think you should check others out. At least, you’ll know that other options are worse that U.Va. Or maybe you’ll find another place that suits you better.</p>
<p>I know that I found many good schools that I ended up liking and applying to just because I grudgingly visited them on the request of my parents.</p>
<p>You should defin. go visit some other schools. Banking on a school as high a caliber as UVA, especially since your OOS, just isn’t a smart move and you should make sure you explore your options.</p>
<p>If you KNOW you want to go to UVA, then don’t waste your time looking at others. All schools have some redeeming qualities. Going on a guided campus tour may leave you walking away from each school wanting to go there. You’ll end up confused. If you are getting into UVA and your convinced you would like it…Go HOOOOOOOS</p>
<p>UVA had a increase in applications this year, the quality of the students increased and they
took less students on the waitlist this year. Therefore, your odds of getting in also are
going to be harder next year so please do not bank on one school only. We know a girl who only applied to Ivy Leagues this year and did not get into any. You simply never know! We visited UVA today for Day on the Lawn for 2014 accepted students and it really changed our grandson’s ideas about what he wants. UVA was not his #1 but he went to just make sure he wasn’t making a mistake and guess what, he LOVED it! So, the visit made a big difference for him but he is still going to check out one other school. It
is kind of like dating before you get married or test-driving before you buy…ha.</p>
<p>By all means take the opportunity to visit other colleges and universities. Nothing may change your mind about UVa, but at least you’ll have a better frame of reference. May I be so bold as to recommend visits to UNC, Wake Forest, Davidson and Furman?</p>
<p>UVAorBust, If you have been reading these boards you know that there are no “automatics” on any college admit. Please have several schools in mind. Your parents are 100% right!</p>
<p>Yea I think if I don’t get into UVA I’m going to just take a gap year or something. I’m definintly set on going to UVA. As I told my best friend it’s UVA or the military (not really but thats how much I want UVA lol)</p>
<p>I was in the same situation, OOS and applied early to UVA back when you could do that. I got deferred. I only went to go visit UVA (my 10th grade year) and I also made the decision that I would go visit other schools when I got into them. So my final decisions ended up being:
got into Millersville around October, my safety
got into Vanderbilt a few days before UVA, so I would have gone there otherwise
got waitlisted at W&M, so at that point I was going to Vanderbilt (again no need to go visit other schools! why waste money.)
got into UVA! Didn’t have to waste any money visiting other schools!</p>
<p>So I see nothing wrong with your strategy and even if I hadn’t’ve gotten into UVA my strategy of “wait to visit” still would have worked. I don’t know why you should go spend more money to visit schools you may not even apply to (for a long time I was going to apply to UMD and UDel but then because of the new SAT I didn’t, so you never know).</p>
<p>It’s nice of your parents to want to take you to visit colleges! I think you will have a good time together, and learn a lot. UVA is an excellent school but there are many other places to get a fine education. Even if you get into UVA, it will be nice to have several options come next spring.</p>
<p>Yea but the thing is I know I will go to UVA if I get in. It’s not something of “ohh if I get into harvard it will be a hard choice” is "If i get inot UVA I’m going no matter what… It’s my dream school I know I will be attending if I get accepted. aid or not…</p>
<p>may I ask how you developed such enthusiasm with UVa?</p>
<p>And, I agree with everyone, by all means focus your energy on getting into UVa, but be smart and also research other options.</p>
<p>Well of course I’m going to apply to other colleges but I feel I should deal with that when it comes. And why am I so enthusiastic about UVA. Once I apply there I will post. I’m sending in my app an extra letter of why UVA is the place for me…</p>
<p>Actuallly thinking about that letter you could look at some of my older posts and find out why 
just no details.</p>
<p>UVAorBust,
Are your parents in a position where the costs of visiting is not a factor at ALL? Or are they just generous enough to try to show you options? If the former, than take the offer and see other places. If the latter, I agree with you; don’t spend the money visiting colleges - though still apply to them. Visit them AFTER you get in. It’s much more financially responsible as well as efficient since once you’re accepted, schools will do much to recruit you during those visits - pay travel, accomodations, provide an opportunity to perhaps match other aid offers. For example, after I got into WashU and Georgetown’s SFS in Qatar -neither I was considering after being accepted early to GU SFS Main campus but receiving substantial scholarships at both - WashU flew me out, a student hosted me, they paid for activities/food/everything; GU Qatar bought 2,000 dollar plane tickets each for my father and I and provided a five star hotel stay.</p>
<p>yea they do not really care about the cost of visiting colleges they just want me to be happy at college. I’m not goign to visit any other colleges till I get in if I’m rejected form UVA></p>
<p>No matter how set you are on UVA, I find it strange how averse you are to visiting different places just to see what they’re like. Visiting a few other schools does not have to mean that you even want to go there (ultimately). If anything, seeing other schools is useful because it lets you see different environments. If you don’t like them, that might make you love UVA even more (b/c you’ll have seen schools that are missing some aspect that UVA has, thus that special aspect(s) at UVA might become a more treasured in your eyes.) Do you see what I mean? It just doesn’t hurt you to look at other schools. You don’t have to consider them as options. Just visit and see how other schools function and feel. Knowing more about colleges in general is elemental - it lets you make the most informed decision you can, and then lets you appreciate the decision you made even more.</p>
<p>Yea I know, I’ve visted other schools before UVA before. I just told my parents that we should visit other schools once I get into them only if I don’t get into UVA. I think it’s a waste of money to go look at other schools if I know I will ultimatly go to UVA. If I don’t get into UVA I’ll deal with that when it comes. :(</p>
<p>I just caution you, you seem pretty much dead set on becoming a student at your dream school (and I applaud you for that, Im trying to transfer to Uva so I know what it feels like) but you have to be prepared for the worst. OOS trying to get into Uva is no cake walk by any stretch no matter how good you think your chances are. I think my chances are difficult and I am in state. What I am trying to say is keep options in mind, and don’t totally neglect everything else because you are totally invested in one school. No matter what you tell yourself, there are other options that probably would work really well for you in the worst case scenario that you don’t get in on the first time. Just something to think about, and good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks alot. Yea I know UVA is no cake walk which is horrible. However, I don’t want to go to other schools and feel defeated yet. I would rather wait to get rejected from UVA then deal with the defeat.</p>