<p>Has anyone visited a college during the time when they are deliberating -- after application is turned in, but before they have decided? We will be near several schools a few weeks before decisions are due to come out.. and probably can't go back once we hear due to distance and cost. It would be really helpful to see them in case my D gets in.. but it also seems awkward to ask about that, even though D is very interested in them. What do you think? Anyone ever done that? We did visit a school a few weeks ago - but that was very soon after the application was turned in, so seemed more neutral.. but this would be just 3-4 weeks before RD are informed. Not trying to get them to tell her if she's in or not.</p>
<p>There’s no problem with visiting anytime, it really depends on your schedule. We visited a school last year the only time possible, during our spring break, the decision was in the mail when we returned home.</p>
<p>It won’t be awkward because your daughter won’t be talking to AOs about her application. She will simply be listening to an Admissions talk and taking a student led tour. She may sign in, but no one is going to discuss her admission status.</p>
<p>Thanks. Then it sounds like we should definitely do it as it will help a lot in her decision making if she gets into either of them.</p>
<p>By all means, go and visit. Frankly, it’s a much better picture of what school in session looks like. I visited my schools in Feb of my Senior year outside of any formal program. Back then, you could request an overnight with a volunteer host student. I went by myself and learned quite a bit. You might want to even skip the admissions tour – lots of juniors asking “how” and “what if”. You’re better off hanging out and engaging actual students vs the tour guides, if possible… If you know of any kids from your DD’s HS who are there, arrange to meet them for lunch.</p>
<p>If you won’t be able to go back, so as complete a visit as you can so D will feel like she really has all the info she needs to decide once options are known. It will be easier to do a cost/benefit analysis when schools come back at slightly different price points or with a different mix of aid. Most schools are happy to let you attend classes. D has had really good luck just accessing their semester class schedule and picking out classes that she’d like to attend. We email a list of favorites to the visit coordinator and they build visit schedule around that. It makes their job easier and kid will get to attend couple classes in prospective major or representative discussion type classes.</p>
<p>By all means visit the schools if your D wants to. We are visiting a school next week with our D and it is before the decision also. As a matter of fact, it might give your D an edge as it will let the school know that she is showing an interest. Register for a tour and/or info session and after the visit have D write an email to them letting them know how much she enjoyed it and such (only if she truly did).</p>
<p>I have yet to figure out whether schools that don’t do interviews even care for admissions purposes whether you visit. Sure, you sign in, hear a lecture, and go on a group tour. But do admissions officers get the list of students who visited and choose them over students who didn’t visit? I think not. My main reasons are twofold: Someone like kathieth1 may not be able to afford to visit; and it’s hardly a good tiebreaker.</p>
<p>We are taking our son to visit a few schools next week, including 2 at which he has not (yet!) been accepted. At both, he is scheduled to meet with an admissions officer, which I imagine will turn out to be a ‘casual interview.’ </p>
<p>I don’t want to make him nervous by telling him that this meeting might “make or break” his chance at admission, but I do want to prepare him to some degree for such a ‘meeting.’ Any suggestions?</p>