<p>I have recently been accepted into some prestigious LACs and invited to their admitted student overnight programs. I'd really like to go - experience a different place, meet a bunch of interesting and intelligent people, & see my dream schools in person - before heading off to State U next year. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be able to afford these schools. The FA packages we have received so far have been insufficient, and though we are trying to talk down our family contribution, it is extremely unlikely that I will be able to attend.
So, my question:
Is it worth visiting these schools just for the experience, or will I end up unhappy in State U once I see where I could have been? I'm hoping I will visit and see that these schools are really not the right fit for me, but this is probably an unlikely outcome.</p>
<p>Have you had any experience in situations similar to mine? What would you recommend?
(I'm leaning towards visiting, if I can keep the costs down.)</p>
<p>I would go just for the experience. The same as if I had the opportunity to visit and stay overnight at a school that I had little to no chance of getting accepted to. Who knows maybe something will come up or maybe you might want to pick one of those schools for grad school.</p>
<p>Good question, with no easy answer. You might find that you didn’t like the school as much after all. You might be able to convince the school to give you more money based on your interest from the visit. You might decide that the school is worth going into a lot of debt. Or you might love the school and still be unable to afford it.</p>
<p>One of my kids still talks about…UCONN. Absolutely loved the school. You’ve heard about a kid walking onto a campus and hearing the angels sing? We visited a lot of campuses, but this was the school that my kid really wanted. At the end of the day, my kid decided that it was not economically reasonable to select UCONN at OSS cost. It’s been 4+ years, and he still regrets not being able to go to UCONN…but is now in grad school, and very grateful that he didn’t incur unnecessary undergrad debt to go there.</p>
<p>If the institution is still in the possible group because you have not yet received a definitive answer about the financial aid, then go. If you decide you don’t like it, you won’t need to expend any more energy on getting the financial aid modification you need. If you do really like it, you may be able to start developing a plan B that will get you there (CC or state U for two years then transfer? continue to negotiate with the financial aid office? etc.)</p>
<p>If you know for certain that you won’t be attending because of the money issue, then you could go visit much as you would spend a couple days visiting a friend who was attending a different college from your own. If you think it would be too upsetting, well then don’t go.</p>
<p>Happykid recently spent a weekend with a HS pal who is at a university that Happykid has no plans to put on her transfer application list when she finishes at her CC next year. However, staying in the dorm overnight, eating the college food, meeting the roommates, walking around the campus, and checking out places to go in that city were all very interesting for her. She has more criteria to use now to judge whether or not a college or university would be a good match for her.</p>
<p>Well, if you’re the strong-minded type … you know, the one who can walk away from the Coach store after holding the most beautiful bag you’ve ever seen … they I’d say “Go.” If on the other hand if you might return from a fabulous overnight thinking “I just HAVE to find a way to attend that school” then don’t go. JMHO.</p>
<p>They all look the same.
They also feel the same.
They really do.
Save your dough or rather your parent’s money. </p>
<p>The difference between a restuarant and a Dining Hall
I do take my 94yo mom to the local college for breakfast or lunch. Its inexpensive, see some young people, overhear their problems, sunny dining hall. A leisurely meal. Healthy food.</p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t go if I KNEW I couldn’t afford it. I didn’t see the point in expending time and energy to visit schools I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford. I didn’t want to cloud my judgment, and I wanted to focus my energies on the schools that I really knew I could attend and get psyched up about them. From a practical standpoint, the time off school and the money wasn’t justfiable. And from a psychological standpoint, I didn’t want to depress myself with 1) too many options and 2) options that were not viable for me.</p>
<p>However, you sound like you are in the “probably” or “possibly” group. If there’s a possibility that you MIGHT be able to afford this place - if you can finagle the financial aid the right way, or if something comes through - then I would visit. Find out if you like the school enough to work you and your parents’ butts off to make it work.</p>
<p>Don’t waste your money or your time. In a few months they will all blend together.</p>
<p>I agree that seeing it in person could make you fall in love with a detail that you won’t be able to fall out of love with unless you go to the school and see it in the mundane light it sits in normally.</p>
<p>If you don’t have the money to go to any school you want for college, then I don’t think you have the money to go on that kind of trip, either.</p>
<p>Why don’t you spend the cash on a nice consolation prize, like a Wii Fit for your dorm room or that really great pair of running shoes you thought were too extravagant, or a nice camera phone or something? That way you can take it with you to the school you do go to.</p>
<p>You can do a LOT with that saved money–perhaps have an even better time at the U that you WILL attend–maybe a summer program, research, term abroad. Why chase things that are out of your budget? It really is not a good use of scarce resources. Down the road, if you’re exploring grad schools & they offer funding, it’s a new story and there are MANY reasons to go.</p>
<p>Enjoy what you CAN afford instead of longing for what’s beyond reach. Why punish yourself & your family & throw good money away?</p>
<p>State U I’m sure has overnight opportunities and prospective student programs. You’ll meet interesting people, learn more about next year, and hopefully start falling in love with where you’re going rather than visiting places you won’t.</p>
as it might backfire and you might love, love LOVE it. Go to the top choice one (not all) if you think you might be able to meet with the FA people in person and see if you can make the numbers work. Have fun!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go. During accepted students events, schools pull out all the stops to make themselves look appealing. That’s not going to help you now.</p>
<p>I would perhaps consider visiting the one (or ones) most likely to work with you on financial aid. By contacting them again prior to committing to the overnight, see what you can learn. </p>
<p>I would NOT visit any schools who have taken a hard line or seem to “love you less”.
Waste of time, money and emotional energy.</p>
<p>But if there’s one or two that you are really interested in and have given some sign of willingness to work with you, then it might be worth it. Perhaps you could arrange an in-person meeting with a financial aid officer while there?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t completely dismiss it out of hand but would only allow myself the visit if there appeared to be a shot on the financial side. Best of luck and keep us posted!</p>