<p>Currently I am a grad student seeking my MA. I want to go on to a Ph.D. program and I know that my university is going to assist with my applications (currently I hold a 3.8 GPA).</p>
<p>Should I visit the schools that I am interested in? Granted I can't visit them all because of the travel costs but I can handle a couple of visits to my favorites.</p>
<p>I read a lot about undergraduate (pre- and post-acceptance) visits but I don't see a lot about graduate student visits. I'd like to communicate with the schools' departments and faculties so that I can visit but am not sure if that is appropriate for grad students.</p>
<p>I don’t think people usually do. Exceptions are programs that require interviews. Otherwise I’m not sure if they have time for you as an applicant. May depend on the field. My daughter didn’t visit any until acceptance, where they fly you in. Seems like your university contacts will know the protocol for your area.</p>
<p>Visit on your own dime only if you are accepted and it is close enough not to cost too much. Some universities have visit days for admitted students whom they are trying to convince to come. They will probably defray some or all of the costs of the visit. If you are invited to such a visit, that is the time to go. You will get to meet potential classmates and there will be an opportunity to meet and talk to faculty in an organized setting.</p>
<p>I actually did visit two cities before ever applying, one conveniently had a good friend I also wanted to visit, and the other had multiple universities to make it worth my time and money. I had never been to either city before, so I also wanted to do some lifestyle/housing recon to decide if I would be okay with living in either area beforehand. I also was a middle of the road applicant, so I figured making myself known to a department and showing active interest could only help me. </p>
<p>This was actually a tremendously valuable experience - I immediately crossed one university off my list when I sat in on a department meeting and there was a ton of casual sexism being tossed around. I also felt it helped me a lot at the other universities, and I ended up in a program that is very strong in my niche research interests. I haven’t specifically asked our program advisor if my informal visit helped, but I think it probably put me near the top of the list as someone who was very likely to accept an invite.</p>