Value of Pre-Acceptance Fly-In Programs?

College Search & Selection
1

My kid just got an invitation to a fly-in program for a reach school he’s very interested in. (We did visit once, for basic info session and tour, as part of a more extended visit to the area.) Does anybody have any experience with these, and any opinions on their value?

As I see it…

Pros

  • Opportunity for kid to get a really in-depth picture of the school.
  • Opportunity for on-campus interview.
  • Opportunity to express serious interest for a reach school where every bit will count.

Cons

  • Two days off of school with heavy and critical senior year courseload.
  • Cost. (Far cheaper than an independent visit, but still, money out of pocket.

Not sure how to balance these factors, so am wondering if anyone else has done this (or opted out) and how they felt about it. We do need to allow time for a few other visits to schools he hasn’t seen yet.

Also, is there any reason to believe the opportunity signals any interest at all in my kid, or is such an opportunity typically sent around to all kids in a given region who’ve expressed some level of interest.

2

All the fly-ins we looked into were expenses-paid, so hmm…is this reduced-cost at least? Does he need to apply and be selected to attend? My daughter attended an expense-paid diversity fly-in at one of her reaches, and I think it helped a lot, but there was an application process and they chose a fairly small group.

3

Yes, it’s reduced cost. It appears to be first-come, first-served. Unclear whether any pre-selection was involved, though I’d say my kid is a viable candidate - but by no means an outstanding one, despite what the email said.

4

Have you looked at the Common Data Set to see if the school includes demonstrated interest in its criteria? And how interested is your son in the school?

5

another thought - have you posted this question in the CC forum for that college? Folks there might have some insight.

6

Good thought, thanks.