<p>Parents/AOs - is it too pushy to ask to stop by again prior to March 10? We will be in town for one of my kid's activities, and we'd love to go again. We only had one 2-3 hour visit back in October. The AO really likes my kid - emails back enthusiastically every time. Is it out of line to ask to stop in and see her, or to have a meal in the dining room, or see a dorm room (did not get to see these last time.)? The AO knows it's her top choice. If it makes any difference to your answer, it is a highly competitive school for admissions and they have over a thousand applicants this year.</p>
<p>I would say wait until decisions are out. If your child is accepted, revisit day will enable you to do all these things and more while your child is courted–it’s a lot of fun and no stress. If your child is not accepted, what would have been the purpose of the trip? Applications are done, so it’s not like you’re still choosing where to apply. I can’t imagine that asking for a second visit would be viewed positively. Neutral maybe, positive no. All admissions offices are terribly busy right now. Respect that and save your curiosity for revisit days if you are fortunate enough to have that option. If you are saying that you don’t think you’ll be able to attend scheduled re-visit days, the schools should be willing to work with you to arrange for your child to come back to campus (minus the pomp and circumstance) between M10-A10.</p>
<p>If you are going to be in town, you can certainly stop by the campus for a self-tour/walk-thru, but I wouldn’t bother the admissions office right now.</p>
<p>The purpose of the school visit is twofold: 1. You get to know more about the school before/when apply. 2. Schools need to sell themselves to you for application. </p>
<p>Now that you have submitted the application, the purpose of the trip has been fulfilled. Additional visit to school before you are accepted can be viewed too pushy. AOs are so busy and they virtually live by minute. Wouldn’t recommend. </p>
<p>Right now AOs are gasping for air under that pile of “over 1000” applications and DO NOT WANT TO SEE YOU. However, if you are going to be in the area, then walking around campus, visiting the library, going to the bookstore and snack bar are all fine things to do on your own. Check out the school website, maybe there is a public concert, gallery or poetry reading to attend.</p>
<p>I would suggest trying to hold off on falling in love, though. Wait until kiddo is accepted before falling in love with the school. </p>
<p>I guess every school is different, but if you were walking around my kid’s school without an appointment campus security or someone would stop you. </p>
<p>I would advise against this pre-M10.</p>
<p>I would say no, but I think it depends on the school. Seeing a stranger walk around would be much less weird and alarming at Exeter or Andover than Groton because of how the campuses are spread out, and they larger student body.</p>
<p>While we were in the States visiting S1, we also debated visiting some of the schools again w S2. In the end we talked ourselves out of it. </p>
<p>We decided it we could be setting ourselves up for heartbreak if we fall too much in love before 10-Mar</p>
<p>I went to a couple basketball games with three kids/two applicants the winter of our first admit cycle and nobody seemed to mind. We were trying to get the feel of the student body, etc. Happened to sit near the headmaster once; he didn’t verbally acknowledge us though I’d bet he recognized us as an applicant or two. I’d say concerts no, inspecting the dining room no, “public” athletic contests maybe yes. </p>
<p>I would not contact the AO at this time - too busy reviewing applications. Any public event - athletic events, some concerts, etc. - anything that is easily available to the larger community would be fine. If it is bigger open campus walking around would be okay too. Since you’ve been there you know if you would stand out, or just be seen as part of the community.</p>
<p>We attended a concert at CameoKid’s first choice school in February last year. Emailed the AO first to ask if that would be appropriate. My daughter is very musically inclined and they were more than happy to have her be able to see the different groups perform.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone’s feedback. I wanted the AO to be reminded of my kid and to know the good news that my kid had been selected to do a prestigious activity (which happened to be hosted near the school) so after everyone’s feedback, kid just emailed her and said “I got selected for this and will wave as I drive by!” AO emailed right back, said good luck, and gave us a restaurant recommendation. Is it any kind of a sign that the AO immediately emailed back 5 times? She took 40 minutes to interview kid, and everyone else was getting 20ish. She then apologized for keeping kid so long, but she was “caught up” in their conversation. </p>
<p>mmm the Ao immediately emailed back 5 times? I am sorry. I am the one that ALWAYS advocates for parents to pick up the phone/email/horn and get in touch with the school when you have a question or issue. Or even during the admission period when something relevant is happening. However I cant imagine a situation where a parent/kid combo needs to contact the AO 5 times. I hope for your sake you dont do it again, or wind up in the annoying family pile.</p>
<p>Emailed 5 times or emailed back in 5 minutes? </p>
<p>The AO replied to 4 or 5 emails my kid has sent to the AO since October, when they met. I was not involved. The emails from my kid were short and sweet, about a few successes. The AO told my kid to keep in touch. Some of AO’s replies were more than a few sentences. Didn’t think this was annoying because AO seemed sincere about keeping in touch and did respond promptly and enthusiastically.</p>
<p>4 or 5 brief emails since October semm reasonable to me, and in our experience, promptness and enthusiasm of AO response did indeed correlate with where our kid got accepted. But of course you can’t count on acceptance, because you just never know…</p>
<p>@mhmm, I was under the impression that schools actually prefer questions/contact come from the applicant him/herself (unless of course it’s a parent issue, like FA or something). </p>
<p>Either way, if you have a child who is comfortable making that contact and capable of doing it appropriately, then why would it be a bad thing? </p>
<p>Speaking of revisit days, it seems they are generally in late march…so just a couple weeks after M10. Any way we can find out sooner when they are scheduled? Assuming we have good news on notiifcation day (and don’t take that to mean we are assuming anything)</p>
<p>But IF son is so fortunate, that’s a short timeframe for me to reschedule work stuff and take a day off.</p>
<p>(I checked the school’s calendar and it’s not there)</p>
<p>@booklady123: Some schools have posted their revisit dates on their sites already…but I guess it all depends on what school you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to call the general admission number and ask…the receptionist/admissions coordinator should be able to tell you without you having to give your name/feel like you are being a nudge. I would NOT write an email to your AO pre-M10 on this matter.</p>
<p>@booklady - the Ao’s prefer to hear from kids, thats true. I was reacting to the OP asking if they should bother the AO and request a revisit before acceptances. I guess I assumed that if the OP actually asked that in the forum, then the rest of the OP or the OPKid emails were in the same manner. Which is why I suggested to reign in the communication. I do believe though that one emails the AO with very important news. Can a kid have 5 important announcements in such a short period of time? Possibly. Not likely. But thats just my opinion.</p>