Anyone here know how Visitas works? Do we just fly in and check in and then go on with things on the schedule that we find interesting?
Hey man I kinda already made a page but do you lol
Start with http://fdo.fas.harvard.edu/files/fdo/files/visitas_1.pdf (a hard copy of which will probably arrive in your admissions packet).
Do they reimburse everyone for airfare?
Visitas is the same weekend as my DD’s Senior Prom!?! The timing couldn’t be worse…
That’s a no-brainer; she should go to prom. She can visit Harvard at some other time, if she desires.
No.
@CoMoMom - my daughter had the same dilemma last year and chose Visitas. She did not regret it - she had a great time and made friends with many of the other incoming freshman. I think this eased her college transition - rather than heading off to a place where she knew no one, she was looking forward to seeing her Visitas friends again.
She’s introverted and definitely not the partying type - if she were, she would have likely chosen prom!
Invited weekend days, whether they are at Harvard or another college, are IMHO like “dog and pony shows” – everyone is trying so hard to make their campus seem fun and exciting that it’s often difficult to see though all the smoke and mirrors. After attending Visitas, and other college’s invited weekend days, my daughter and I returned on another weekend, when it was calmer, and we could quietly walk the campus, talk to the students and professors, eat in the dining hall, get a feel for the students and the campus tone without all the hoopla. I would encourage anyone to do the same if at all possible.
Hey guys, would some of you mind too terribly posting a quick overview of Visitas, how the kids and the admissions people were, etc. for me? Unfortunately I can’t attend, but I would love to hear all about it if I can!
I can’t figure out when the last event of the weekend occurs. Are there any planned events for Monday? I don’t know what return flight ticket I should purchase.
Visitas runs from Saturday to Monday, but I can’t find a schedule of events: http://fdo.fas.harvard.edu/files/fdo/files/visitas_1.pdf
@bemore19 - My recollection from when my daughter attended last year was that there were no scheduled events on Monday, however prospective students were encouraged to sit in on classes they might find interesting. I believe they were provided with a list of recommended classes but could attend any class with the instructor’s permission.
I think it’s worth doing this if you can manage to fly home Monday evening - it gives you a chance to experience a bit of everyday Harvard life outside of the Visitas events.
I’d recommend you talk to someone in the admissions office if you are unsure about whether it makes sense or not to stay though Monday. I’m sure they would be happy to answer your questions.
Here is the in-depth schedule for Visitas:
https://college.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/visitas-schedule2015-04062015.pdf
I’m pretty sure I’ll take a gap year next year (though not 100% sure yet). And I have until May 1st to decide. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to meet people from my Freshman class. I wonder if it’s possible to go to two consecutive Visitas if I decide to defer?
Yardfest is April 24th this year. If pre-frosh arrive Friday then there will be lots of activity in The Yard.
^^ And, if you show up early, your hosts will be attending Yardfest and will not have the time to be an attentive host. That’s why Harvard asks admitted student’s NOT to show up early.
I know when my daughter attended Visitas she arrived Friday evening since we live on the West Coast. She didn’t want to miss any of the scheduled activities.
@TessaR: Yardfest, with all the festivities – read underage drinking and puking – occurs on FRIDAY night. If parents of incoming freshmen do not want their children to be hungover for the start of Visitas, they should not encourage their children to arrive on Friday. For the majority of Harvard students, Yardfest = Drinkfest, and as most of those “drinkfest students” also act as hosts for incoming freshman, do you really want THAT to be your child’s first impression of Harvard? Maybe I didn’t make this clear enough for parents: Avoid sending your child on Friday at all costs!
^^^ Conversely, I should have added “Incoming Freshman, if you want THAT kind of experience, get your parents to send you on Friday!”