<p>Is it worth it? Would it even be noted by the admissions office? Coming from Massachusetts.
Any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>It seems like a stretch. They do record when people visit, etc. But I'm not sure it would matter more than visiting in a more pleasent month.</p>
<p>Now is a great time to visit in terms of weather at its worst and if you think you will not be swayed by it. We've always laughed about the fact that son's high school does college tours in the early fall--cool weather, leaves falling. Makes a college campus look wonderful, only that is not always the true picture in terms of weather, esp. in the Midwest and Northeast. The only other problem about visiting now is transportation issues-flight delays, icy roads.</p>
<p>I don't know how you're able to afford time and money to this.</p>
<p>I would always recommend getting on to the campus to get a look, but more as a means to get a feel for it and become more acquainted with it than as a means to show interest.</p>
<p>We went up the weekend before last, to visit our son and also to let our daughter get in her campus visit. Sunday morning, when we went to meet up with them for breakfast, it was 4 degrees below zero, Fahrenheit, without the windchill. The wind was whipping in our faces; I wouldn't dare to speculate what the wind chill figure was!</p>
<p>In addition to giving our son something to look forward to at a relatively bleak time in the school year cycle, it gave our daughter the chance to see what campus life is like in the "off season". She still loved it, which is a good sign.</p>
<p>We did stop by the admissions office for a guided tour--also because they gave us bunches of free dining hall tickets as an admitted student family. The tour guides, though, were students. We didn't see anybody integral to the decision process. Maybe if we'd wanted to, we could have met with someone--although we did see a student and parents ask if they could meet with someone for an interview, and they were told it wasn't done.</p>
<p>I'd guess, too, it would depend on your relationship with your admissions counselor, as to whether or not you might get some face time--or at least some recognition that you made the trek.</p>
<p>Good luck whatever you decide! And, by the way, I highly recommend the vegetarian flatbread sandwhich at Reckers... I'm not a vegetarian, but this is good stuff!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. It's my D's break from school, so we were thinking about driving out just to get away for a few days. If it is not something that is weighed heavily in the admissions process, then i guess at this point we would be more inclined to go if she gets admitted and the weather is a bit more palatable.
She BETTER get admitted because I am gung-ho about vegetarian flatbreads!</p>
<p>i visited in october and again after being admitted in april. i did not do anything really admissions related either time, and so I do not find that visiting to show interest really does that much. I did however stop by to say hi to my admissions counselor. That was about it.</p>
<p>sunshadow, I know when my husband drove to Notre Dame in the summer with my son, he had to check in with a woman that he was there before entering the information session. In fact, I called to say they were running late, and she wanted his name and address. Since we know Notre Dame does track interest, I would call admissions and straight out ask if your visit would be too late in the game to be considered as indicating interest for the application. I found Notre Dame admissions to be refreshingly sincere and very responsive. I remember calling with a question last summer or Fall, and an admissions officer called me back that day. I didn't even ask for an admissions officer, but was impressed that she called and was very helpful. So, bottom line, call admissions; you have nothing to lose but the cost of the call. Good luck to your child.</p>
<p>If Notre Dame does keep track of students that visit for interest level, then it wouldn't be fair.</p>
<p>I can't afford to visit. Money is a huge concern for my family. I only plan to visit schools that I'm admitted to. And I'm overwhelmed with school work to a point that this short break I have right now is just a long study hall. There's never enough time.</p>
<p>Contacting can only do so much. My representative hasn't replied after I sent her something a few weeks ago because she's probably busy analyzing applications. I'll continue to update if there's anything new though.</p>
<p>My point is that it would be unjust for Notre Dame to count visiting as a way of measuring an applicant's interest level. And I truly doubt that Notre Dame practices this.</p>
<p>Actually, I was told by alumni very active in the alumni club, that Notre Dame does in fact track interest. Also, I doubt the woman at the summer information session would have needed my son's name to check off that he was present (the session had already started too), if it were not used for this reason. She already knew he was on the mailing list. Also, she even asked his intended major. Of course, if you are a strong candidate, I don't think it would hinder your application. My comments were meant to say that it could help an application, not hurt it.</p>
<p>It still stings though.</p>
<p>I wish I could visit.</p>
<p>They track interest, not visits. Calling and asking for interest is about the same as visiting, as long as you let them know that you would love to but don't have the opportunity.</p>