<p>From what I have read on this site and many schools websites, it sounds like it is always (almost always?) true that you can visit any school before applying. Is this the case? However, if so, is the student also interviewed during the visit, even if he or she is not sure whether they want to apply. Given the time it takes to visit schools, I don't think we can go more than once, but is it a disadvantage to have an interview when you are not sure that you want to go to that school?</p>
<p>I am touring and interviewing in a week. I will do the interviews of the schools i am not visiting that weekend(on the phone). Some schools knew I was applying(I had asked for information packets and filled out a few things). </p>
<p>If she won't go to the school then it is perfectly okay to interview and then politely tell the school that you do not think your child fits in well with the schools culture(or something along those lines).</p>
<p>I filled out some stuff for deerfield but my dad said cut one school and I cut them. They didn't really seem to care...</p>
<p>nyschoolmom,</p>
<p>If you've done your research, (getting/reviewing school materials, matching stats, etc.) and decide that a school fits within your parameters, visiting a school is the next logical step before applying. The application process will not help determine whether or not you want to continue, only the visit/interview will do this. </p>
<p>And while it is a bit of a whirlwind event the tour followed by an interview should be able to give you and your child a good feel as to whether or not this is an acceptable place. Unless your child absolutely freaks out about something on campus (perhaps s/he is not ready for BS?), focus in on what you liked about the school tour during the interview. The interview is about making the school interested in your child. You will have plenty of time to reflect on the day afterwards and even more time as you go through several visits/interviews to decide your favorites.</p>
<p>I would probably start with a school that is less likely to be desired (location, size, etc.) for a first tour/interview, as often you can learn more to be better applied later.</p>
<p>We toured/interviewed at a large number of schools but only actually applied to less than half of them. There is no commitment to apply if you interview and most, if not all, will require some kind of interview as part of the application process. It basically "activates your file." Schools pride themselves on how many students who come to interview actually apply, so they certainly know that some will now.<br>
There is no reason to go tour and then return for an interview.</p>
<p>Nyschoolmom: You definitely want to see the campus and interview on the same visit. The schools will have your child fill out a preliminary form when you arrive at the admissions office on which you will list some interests, etc., so you have something to discuss. You should do some homework in advance researching the schools because you are selling yourself as well as asking questions. (Be prepared-many schools will meet first with your child and then with you or you and your child. They may want to see how you and your child interact.) Save the really hard (or possibly sensitive) questions for the revisit which comes in the Spring after you have been admitted. There is no disadvantage in acknowledging that you haven't decided where you will finally apply, but you should probably explain what it is about the individual school that led you to take the time to visit. There is also the issue about finally deciding whether to go away to school at all. If this is your first child looking at BS, they will know this is a big step. Good luck!</p>
<p>most ppl do do tour/interview on the same day. however, mine were after the deadline so i couldn't decide not apply anymore.</p>
<p>I would say the vast majority of people tour and interview on the same day unless you are traveling possibly in the summer and do some drive-bys or have some time to stop in. When I would call and say to a school "I would like to set up a time for a tour" no one would ask "do you wnat your son to interview as well?" Rather they would say "Your tour will be at 9 and his interview will be right after."</p>
<p>In addition, the parent part of the interview is really the only chance at most places, that you get to interview the school and ask lots of questions. Sure, it's a conversation and they do ask you a few. But mostly, it's your chance. For example, at one school, we did not see anywhere in any material that they provide transportation to local churches (many of the schools mention it somewhere on their web site. We asked (actually we asked at every school anyway). This one school answered "No, but there is a church within walking distance in town and there a couple of faculty members that go to church, so the students could find them and get a ride." That said something to us. And, that along with a few other things eliminated the school. Saved my son a few hours of application time.</p>
<p>This maybe anecdotal but for his #1 choice we took a summer campus tour, my son and husband returned in the fall for the official tour/interview, and he was accepted!</p>
<p>My son and I also visited informally before the "official" tour. We went to see a play and then stayed the next day for some sports events. It was fun and really gave my son a better idea of what it's all about. I think it helped him stay focused and not be absolutely giddy at the interview. (We told them we had already visited.) My husband came along for the formal tour, of course.</p>
<p>I agree with the informal stuff - I think it's great if you have the time. I just think that formal tours without interviews are uncommon.</p>
<p>We did go to our top 2 choices after applying to see them informally. One to a play - where my son's admissions officer happened to sit down next to us! That was fun (he was waitlisted there anyway) and another to a basketball game. We wanted to see the schools away from the almost "sterile" and certainly pretty controlled environment of the tour.</p>
<p>One quick point to those who may live far from the schools to which they are applying: you don't have to visit most schools to apply. You can usually have an interview by phone, or with an alumni representative who lives in your area. You can then visit the schools after you (hopefully) get the acceptances. But, it is MUCH better to visit if you can do so.</p>
<p>Today my son started giving campus tours and told us that the student tour guides also have some input---this can work in your favor if you have a good rapport or vice versa.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Today my son started giving campus tours and told us that the student tour guides also have some input---this can work in your favor if you have a good rapport or vice versa.
[/quote]
That is an incredibly scary thought when I think about 2 of the student guides we had. Most were awesome, but 2 at least were so incredibly mis-matched to my son, you could not have found a more different student to tour us. And, we wondered how either of them actually were admitted - not articulate (one at a top school), distracted, just overall bad salespeople for the school as well.
Of the others, 6 were amazing (the other 3 were fine, but nothing special and one school has the admissions officer who is an alumn take you on the tour and a student comes and answers questions for you and chats before your interview). Those 6 I would have had no problem with them having input. THEY were terrific spokespeople for the school, outgoing, enthusiastic and my son was chatting with them like crazy. Says as much about them as him.</p>