visiting a college - better chance of admission?

this is one of Cornell’s essay questions:

Consider the academic programs in the school/college you indicated above. How will you utilize them to further explore your intended major or field of interest, or general academic interests if you’re undecided?

Would it be a good idea to actually visit Cornell and mention that i did? I wouldn’t mind visiting because I have already thought about it, just never too the initiation. I imagine that if I mentioned that i have visited, all the way from california, they will be impressed with my desire to attend their school. Also,I figure I don’t have much to say about Cornell unless I go there and take a tour and go to one of their Info Sessions.

<p>I would think a thoroughly researched essay would be more impressive. For example, research the professors who teach in your area of interest. What have they written/published? What specific courses are offered you want to take? What other programs does Cornell offer in your area (foreign study, internship, etc)?</p>

<p>If you can visit, do so. And try to meet with one of the professors.</p>

<p>A visit is always a good way to show special interest in a school. While Cornell probably won't ding you for not visiting, you may develop some good insights into the school and (less probably, but you never know) might make a good contact or two.</p>

<p>I'd view the visit more as a way to see how good a fit the school is vs. providing an admissions edge.</p>

<p>Some schools track interest and others don't. Harvard does not probably because they have such a high yield anyway. I doubt if large state universities do. Tufts probably does or at least it did during the decades when it had Tufts Syndrome named for it. I know that Emory does. I don't know about Cornell, but I would not visit only for that reason. There are other ways to show interest such as ordering information, attending local presentations, and mentioning on the app all of the very specific things about Cornell that make you want to attend.</p>

<p>in the Cornell viewbook, In a chart, under "special requirements and/or recommend preperation it says "no special requirements. visits and information sessions recommended".</p>

<p>should i take this with a grain of salt? b/c everyone college wants you to visit anyways. </p>

<p>would you guys think that Cornell, the largest IVY, would value interest in a student compared to other very selective but smaller research universities?</p>

<p>visiting is more to see if a particular school is a good fit for you. you might have wonderful presumptions about the school, but when you visit, there're pobably some areas which, in your opinion, won't make you happy living there for the next 4 years.</p>