<p>Any views on whether a personal visit to campus increases odds of admission? Some schools make a big deal about showing interest by a visit, some less so. Trying to figure out where American falls on that scale. It would be an expensive trip to visit and there are no other schools in the vicinity to visit so thinking about just applying and then visiting if admitted.</p>
<p>It’s definitely a good idea to visit, so you can get an idea if you feel comfortable on the campus or not. Plus, the school does keep track of how much interest you show and that could possibly affect their admissions decision. But if it’s too expensive and inconvenient to visit before you get admitted, it’s certainly not a necessity. I hope that makes sense.</p>
<p>American does take into account demonstrated interest. If you are within a few hours drive you probably want to find the time to make a trip. American has been known to reject statistically admissible candidates who live within a short drive (usually VA/MD) but never bothered to come by. It smacks of being used as a safety school.</p>
<p>You can get the name and email address of your admissions person and send emails stating you are VERY interested in attending AUbut live too far to visit and that you look forward to coming to see the campus on accepted students day. Once you submit your application, you can send emails periodically to show you are really still very interested.</p>
<p>A visit is certainly helpful with admissions…it puts a face to the name on an application. My son found his admissions rep very useful and is glad he got to know him.</p>
<p>Also, going to school in DC is in some ways a bit different than in some other urban areas.</p>
<p>Because so many students are deeply involved in internships during the semester, the tempo of the campus is a bit different. Not too many students spend a lot of empty hours hanging in the floor lounge. Most of the students are very articulate and quite opinionated.</p>
<p>My son has thrived in this environment. One of his friends visited from Syracuse (in honors and direct admit to Newhouse) for several days, and she hated it…she felt there wasn’t any down time, and also that too many students were too intense. They are very focused on their classes, and very focused on real world issues. </p>
<p>This isn’t to say the students aren’t having fun…they do have a lot of fun. My son is involved in a fraternity and in intramural sports, and he and his friends love to have all kinds of cook-off competitions. But he has very little random “nothing” time, and while that works for him it wouldn’t work for everybody.</p>
<p>You should definitely attend the regional meetings that they have. There are usually a few during the year, and you should also make sure to speak to the AU representative who might be visiting your school. The more interest you show in AU, the more interest AU will have in you.</p>
<p>This is the only university that actually mentioned “interest points” to my daughter when she did her college visits.</p>
<p>My advice is, if you can’t visit attend as many on-line chats as possible, go to regional meetings(as oreo said), contact addmisions on a regular basis and get involved in any way possible with the school. interest seems to count at AU.</p>
<p>Oh, right, if you can’t visit, definitely participate in the online chats. </p>
<p>And, as others have said, email the admissions office to ask whether there will be a representative from AU at your school or at a nearby college fair this fall. If so, be sure to talk to that person. And sign the email with your full name, street address and home phone number, so they’ll be able to log your contact with them. They will do that.</p>
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<p>AU cares a lot about applicants’ demonstrated interest. On the other hand, AU also has to recognize that not everyone can just pick up and jet off to DC for a visit. They’ll notice and give you “credit” if you show your interest in American in the other ways people have mentioned here, but they’ll also notice if you don’t.</p>