<p>I'm applying EDII after getting defered from Washington University in St. Louis and was just about to buy plane tickets so my mother and I could go on January 4th to visit Emory's campus. I've read in many places that showing interest in Emory is a major part of the admissions decision. I've wanted to visit Emory for some time now, and once I realized that it would help me get selected for the class, I wished to jump on the opportunity. </p>
<p>Sadly... my mother called the school today and an admissions counselor said that visiting the campus had NO IMPORTANCE whatsoever concerning admissions decisions. This made my mom refuse to buy the tickets to go and see a school that I might not even get into. (The tickets are expensive; I would be flying from Maine.)</p>
<p>I am really confused. I have met with admissions counselors who have told me that if a student visits campus, he or she will have a slight edge. Is this true?</p>
<p>The only way that I will be going in January is if this actually IS true, and hopefully I'll be able to convince my mom.</p>
<p>-Thanks,
Zach</p>
<p>Zach,</p>
<p>I dont know how that information was determined by your mother; however, most everybody in the Admissions Office has always underscored the value of demonstrating interest in Emory a considered factor, though not highly important in relative factors affecting admission decisions. This demonstrated interest can occur in different ways, though, not necessarily through an on-campus visit through the Office of Admission. </p>
<p>The following is a paragraph lifted from the Emory website, under ADMISSION CONSIDERATIONS:</p>
<p>We pay close attention to the contact an applicant has had with the Office of Admission during the application process. It is important that applicants have done their research on Emory, whether through ordering a Video Visit, talking with a representative at a college fair, attending an information session in your city or at your school, or visiting our campus. We also expect a competitive candidate to articulate why Emory is a particularly good match for them.</p>
<p>Reference: <a href="http://www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/admission-aid/admission-considerations.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/admission-aid/admission-considerations.htm</a></p>
<p>What is important to you, though, is if you are applying ED II, most everybody knowledgeable in the college selection process will advise you of the importance of visiting the school to determine personal fit. The CC forums are full of students who made changes subsequent to an on-campus visit. My own daughter, now a freshman, changed her mind on her erstwhile No. 1 choice after her visit to Emory. I believe that anybody applying to any ED plan with a binding commitment should make an on-campus visit an imperative. The potential consequences warrant this.</p>
<p>I agree with NorCalDad - I highly recommend a visit if you are going EDII. I sent you a private message as well.</p>
<p>Before applying ED to a college, I highly recommend that you visit the college in person. </p>
<p>Mind you, the deadline for EDII is January 1st. Your January 4th visit would put you three days past the submission of your application. I wonder if they let you withdraw an ED application. If they don't, visiting in order to make a decision on whether to apply ED is futile. I would also look into whether or not your visit would actually be recorded before they view your application. Indeed, if it's not incorporated, your visit could be fruitless on both accounts, determined interest and decision making.</p>
<p>Admission counselors provably don't consider demonstrated interest to be as important with Early Decision (as opposed to Regular Decision)...since applying Early Decision is the most extreme form of demonstrated interest within itself. Unlike regular decision, nearly 100% of ED applicants will have a campus visit on their records....and if accepted, the counselors know you'll definitely come. A major reason they look for campus visits with RD applicants is because it shows the student would be more likely to enroll - a possibillity that is a definite for all ED-ers.</p>
<p>That being said, I strongly agree with the the top two posters. Your motivation for a visit shouldn't be that it will highten your chance of acceptance (because with ED, it really won't...alllll EDers will have), but that it will reassure you whether or not Emory is THE place you want to be.</p>
<p>Besides if you visit on Jan 4th, no one will be there. Winter break isn't over yet. You won't get a true feel for campus life. Wait until you get in. My D didn't visit until accepted students weekend. Get the video; call and talk to an admissions counselor with questions. This shows interest too.</p>