<p>Has anyone done an overnight visit? We already did a visit in the summer and my child is committed to HM as first choice. WOuld an overnight be worth the considerable effort? (We live a long way off...)</p>
<p>If you only did a summer visit, you didn’t get to meet as many people, and you only met the ones who were lucky enough / involved enough to come in the summer. As much of a pain as it is, I would definitely recommend an overnight, especially if your child is going to apply ED. If not an overnight, at least a visit during the school year; but as long as you’re a long way away from home during the school year, your child might as well have an overnight!</p>
<p>My son loved his overnight, and it only confirmed his love for the place and all the people. But your child may realize something new, and deciding that you DON’T love the school is very valuable too!</p>
<p>On the flip side… there is only so much you can “know” about a college before your child is really there taking classes and living. A visit or overnight will only be as good as the tour guide or the student your child is paired with. I’ve talked to parents who have said they almost took HMC off their list because of a bad visit. My daughter is a freshman this year and applied to HMC on the strength of a visit when the school was closed for winter break and its written reputation. She didn’t apply early, so only fell in love with HMC over admitted students weekend. She is there now doing their Summer Institute and seems happy (we will see when classes start!)
I think if money or time is an issue, don’t sweat not doing it. So far, what is written about the school seems right on the money.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I traveled from the midwest to overnight at Mudd, and I think it was completely worth it.</p>
<p>I would probably wait until he gets accepted and then go to admitted students weekend, which has an overnight and class visiting component, if money is an issue. I don’t really know how ED fits into that though. I applied to HM because a friend did, but I hadn’t even visited the school (even though I live 30 min away, lol) or known much about it till admitted students weekend (I wasn’t the ‘CC student’ type), but after admitted students I was sufficiently impressed to attend. I doubt that the problems Mom2kids mentioned will arise at admitted students weekend due to all the people and focus involved. I don’t exactly know what makes a bad visit however, I suppose having an overnight in a dorm you aren’t suited for could be relatively unpleasant. How does a tour guide make a bad visit? They should be vetted to be sufficiently cheerful and knowledgeable.</p>
<p>FWIW, geek_son fell in love with Mudd and applied ED after a summer visit. His overnight stay during ASP (Admitted Students Program) just confirmed what he already knew – that Mudd was the place for him. Interestingly enough, his ASP host was kind of antisocial (lots of homework, I’m betting) but he met up with others who ended up being great friends and resources.</p>
<p>If your kiddo got to spend some time with summer research students or summer math students (I’m told nearly half the class of '13 took summer math this year) and felt “this is absolutely the place for me,” I think an overnight visit is optional. From our experience I’d encourage students to attend ASP, not as much for the sales pitch (although they do have a lot of fun) as for the chance to meet current students and make friends who can answer questions throughout the prefrosh summer. That was a big comfort to geek_son.</p>
<p>Mine has 1) talked to the rep at a college fair, 2) gone to a local HM on the Road presentation 3) talked to current Mudder who went to his high school, 4) done the tour/info session interview this summer. He was pretty sure the HM was the place for him after 1) and is merely more sure now.
Doing an overnight in the fall will be hard - I think waiting for the ASP will be fine. Thanks all!</p>