S is looking at LACs and for financial aid reasons we plan to cast a wide net. He will be trying for admission at need-based fin aid schools, which tend to be more selective. He does have a state safety in mind. In this thread I want to pose this question asked in the title.
If we are only going to make it to campus once, is it a better use of time from an admissions standpoint to go for interviews, or open house days?
The thing is that Open House days usually give a good overview of campus life, which would help him in sizing up a school especially for “fit,” and interviews not so much. Interviews definitely seem more like the school looking to see if HE fits.
I am thinking that interviews are better, but would like to hear from others with experience. Any input is appreciated.
I’d go for an on-campus interview and you can schedule an information session and campus tour during that same visit. If it is fanatically manageable, your S can revisit his top viable choices for an accepted students day after admission decisions/financial aid decisions are made.
In our experience at some LACs the Open Houses were very good and gave one more information that a typical visit could provide, but at other LACs the Open Houses were just overcrowded/bloated versions of the typical tour and information sessions. In general we preferred the less crowded/hectic tour and information sessions to the Open House events.
Actually I like the “fanatically” manageable Thank you happy1 ! Now I feel more confident about interviews over open houses. I always use the winter break to look ahead to spring and summer vacations and this will help with planning.
Yes, it is true that IF accepted he can attend accepted students’ days at his top schools. By then we would have fin aid info as well (of course I run net price calcs, but there could be surprises, either on the more or less generous side).
We prefer to visit schools on non-special-event days, when we feel we see the real deal, not the all dressed up for grandma version.
Many colleges don’t even do interviews, or they are for information only, not used in the decision making process. And just about all of them that do have interviews, offer options such as alumni interviews, traveling rep interviews, Skype interviews, etc.
My D ended up applying to only one of the 5 colleges we visited. She did not interview on campus at all. She had interviews with reps that came to her school and some with alumni in coffeeshops in a town about a half hour away. She did not even visit the college she is attending before the first day of school. Not so many years ago, that was not so uncommon.
But we (mostly I) did a tremendous amount of research.
There is a lot to be said for attending accepted student visits at his top couple of choices once he is in. Prior to that, I’d say visiting while school is in session is good. But honestly, we found open house days to be the worst. Crowded, the classes my kid wanted to sit in on filled up fast.
Interviews - only do them if either your kid is going to be strong at them, or the school requires them. My D1 was strong, and interviews helped her. D2 was stronger on paper, she did not interview and got in everyplace she applied.
To further confirm your decision, my D’s experience applying to LACs a few years ago was that most of the colleges did like to interview prospective students. If your S will do well in an interview, it can be a positive – especially when you are looking for merit aid.
My D felt that the best interviews (where she got to put across who she was and where she also learned about the school) were done directly with admissions officers. The second best interviews were with trained student interviewers. On-campus interviews will provide the best opportunity for your S to speak with a professional/trained interviewer. (It sounds like you are on top of things, but try to make arrangements well in advance). My D’s one alumni interview was fine in that the interviewer seemed to like her, but it was clear that the interviewer was totally untrained and it showed in the questions asked, the answers to my D’s questions about the school etc.
Thanks everyone for the comments. It does seem like LACs in particular want interviews.
This is third time around so yes, we have learned a lot, but each kid is different – S #2 is leaning toward LACs with 3 or 4 exceptions of small research universities. I remember a couple of schools we visited where they did not even take names/info of kids who visited. We are still in the long list phase but making plans for spring and summer. Since he plans on doing Questbridge his time frame is bumped up.
Most interviews S #1 did were with students who worked in admissions, but he was often told that doing one was important for his application. Our best bet is need-based aid at competitive schools so trying to form a strategy now.
S #2 is quiet and not very talkative but hopefully practicing with his brother and uncle will help. Thanks again!
I personally don’t think an interview is necessary, unless it’s required, or you’re otherwise concerned about your son’s admissions chances at the school. We went to a few open houses as well as individual tours, and the one thing I liked about the open houses was the in-depth view of the school. However, I would agree that they’re crowded. I suggest requesting some “add-ons” to your tour - perhaps shadowing a class in his perspective major, talking to the department head, and if he’s interested in certain sports/EC’s/honors program, making an appointment with someone involved with that interest. Most LAC admissions offices will do that for you if you ask.
Thank you happy1 ! Now I feel more confident about interviews over open houses. I always use the winter break to look ahead to spring and summer vacations and this will help with planning.