<p>I am very tight with money and want to take into consideration which colleges will value my visit the most, when they are considering me for admission (assuming I would still apply after the visit). While this wouldn't be the sole factor in deciding which colleges to visit, it might help in certain instances.</p>
<p>This is the complete list of Universities I am highly interested in. I have already done extensive research of all of them. To which would a visit most benefit me during admissions? I have heard that most private Universities value demonstrated interest from applicants. I have also heard that Brown, which is on my list, doesn't even record who visited them. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Harvard
MIT
Yale
Princeton
Stanford
Columbia
Dartmouth
Penn (Wharton)
Brown
Georgetown (SFS)
USC (Marshall)
Emory</p>
<p>Stanford is one that has said visiting the college will not be a consideration for admission. Emory is the opposite and says showing interest such as by visiting is considered. The UCs do not consider visiting a factor (and that is true at virtually every public university). The others on your list I have never heard much from which possibly indicates it makes no real difference.</p>
<p>MD Mom: That was a rude and rather ignorant comment. Most of the schools I listed give extraordinary financial aid, with which I would attend for almost nothing.</p>
<p>drusba: Thanks, that was a helpful comment.</p>
<p>My intention wasn’t to be rude, but I did find it to be an interesting list with not much in the middle. We visited many, many colleges where there was no record of all of the visit. I think interest can also be indicated through things other than the visit. If colleges put a great deal of weight for those who were able to visit campus, it would give a big advantage to those with the financial means to do so. I just found your question interesting.</p>
<p>No worries MD Mom, I didn’t take any offense. What other things do you think can indicate interest, besides visits or otherwise morphing yourself as a “fit” on the application itself? Mailing lists? Summer school at that college?</p>
<p>Things that don’t cost money. You said that you did research on the schools, so indicate in your application how the particular program offered fits with your goals. Read all that literature they send you; it may contain some little nugget that catches your interest. Read the Web sites thoroughly for all that research they publish. Also keep in mind that colleges are looking for a well rounded student body, not necessarily well-rounded students. What do you offer that makes you different? At Princeton, the admissions rep said they were looking for “flava.” New York accent.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about Georgetown, but GW places ENORMOUS weight on Demonstrated Interest (and visiting is the biggest part of that). Academically, they are very close. Note that GW is one of the most expensive schools in the country (although it gives out some of the best aid).</p>
<p>I would consider applying if you’re applying to Georgetown. :)</p>
<p>Most students looking for FA either reach very high or very low. The reason is top tier schools, like ivies, will offer better financial aid than reach schools. The tough part is getting in. If one has good stats, which I assume OP does, then it may pay to find more matches (lower tier schools) to get good merit aid.</p>
<p>Top schools don’t care if you visit because they know you will go if admitted. The schools you should visit are what they would consider to be your “backup schools.” WashU, which is not on your list, do not look kindly to anyone who don’t visit, because many top students use it as a backup. The point here is to show love and prove to them you have great interest in the school. My daughter spent more time visiting matches and safeties than high reaches.</p>
<p>OP - I assume UCs are your safeties, and you are pretty certain you could get enough money from them to attend. I think if finance is an issue you may want to look into other smaller LACs because you may be able to get some nice merit money. My daughter didn’t qualify for FA, but she was offered a full ride to a second tier LAC.</p>
<p>If finance is an issue, many adcoms will also understand that you couldn’t afford to do cross country visit. I would visit Emory, USC or even Georgetown if you could afford it.</p>
<p>Demonstrated interest as a factor for admissions is noted on the school’s common data set. There are lists of links somewhere on CC, but if you Google “common data set” and the name of the school you are interested in, you should get the information.</p>
<p>Pomona cares about visits - a lot. Unless you live far away and can’t afford it, they expect a visit. If you live in southern California and haven’t bothered to visit they assume you are not serious about attending Pomona.</p>
<p>MIT and Hahvahd don’t even take your name down. BU requires you to register in advance, Northeastern takes your information, and BC, by visit number 5, I honestly can’t remember.</p>
<p>MIT says that the “Level of Applicant’s Interest” is “Considered”
Brown says that the “Level of Applicant’s Interest” is “Very Important”</p>
<p>but how can we demonstrate this interest if visits aren’t considered? is it through the scheduling of interviews? or maybe signing up for mailing lists?</p>