Value of Informal/Unofficial Visits

[FLVADAD]

toadstool, I have read where some admissions offices do look at a student's points of contact with regard to showing interest. For schools that care about such things, and of course, not all of them do, they might track how much contact the student had with the school including email, phone contact, response cards, visits, etc. When they see absolutely zero contact out of several potential opportunities other than the application itself is when they might assume lack of interest. Thus, I'd say it's definitely worthwhile to send a note or two in the ways you suggest. It would definitely serve to indicate something more to them than just a random application alone. At some schools I think it would make a difference when they are reviewing applications. Just don't go overboard with it.

[wis75]

Another use of informal college visits is in familiarizing the student with campuses in general. Then they will know what just about every campus has in common when they see one with a tour guide.

[spring162]

It is funny in that when I used Marian's link and plugged in some of the colleges on my DDs list (rice,furman,wash u,tulane, WM, SLU) that alot of them had level of interest listed under "considered". I did notice however, that Tulane did not list interest as important but I am fairly certain I learned here on CC that it is important to show them the love. We will not do any long distance visits before admission/merit offers come in. I guess I will have my DD start emailing for info, ask any ? just to get it noted that she is "interested".

[thelilodance]

For me personally, I thought that the "tour" I got when I stayed with one of the students was much better than the official school one. I saw the campus with the girl I stayed with and she told me much more about the real expirence than what I heard on the official tour.

I think that if it is possible to do both. And I think that the unofficial tour is a better to get a sense of the campus.

[ShesOnHerWay]

Even when D1 & D2 did not sit through the formal info session or take the formal tour, we stopped into the admissions office to "sign in" and let them know we were there. This registered their interest but let us explore on our own.

However, if the school allowed interviews, they always had one, regardless of their final level of interest in the school. They never passed up an opportunity to make an impression. Our feeling was the the ultimate decision rested with them and that they shouldn't give the adcoms a reason to deny them if they could help it.

[Deja]

We didn't do many college visits with S, because we didn't have the time or money. But the ones we did do were worthwhile. (Some of the college didn't need visits, because he was already familiar with them and had been to them.)

One of his favorite colleges was struck off the list completely after a visit. And what eventually became his top choice got on the list because of a visit (it was the Accept/Deny scenario, because of insufficient financial aid).

[emgamac]

We did a college tour at the end of our D's freshman year to compare the merits of the TYPES of schools not necessarily the schools themselves. Since we are from Northern California, we drove to Southern California. We looked at small private (Caltech), larger private (USC) and large public (UC Irvine) and mega public (UCLA). Since she is math and science focused we thought these schools would suit her. She eliminated Caltech (too small and too nerdy) and USC (just didn't fit her) and loved both UCLA and UCI. She visited a few other schools with some friends but then called a quit to the visits. The rest of the search was done on line. She determined that if she had multiple acceptances, then she would visit the campuses to make her final choice. She had multiple schools to choose from but after visiting the one that fit her best on paper, she never visited the rest. She was on campus for three days and two nights and just knew it was the right place for her.

She did several interviews as part of the application process. Of the five interviews she did, two of the schools accepted her. The school she chose does not do interviews.

[CountingDown]

S1 never did the Official Sleepover thing where his host was pre-arranged. He used what we call the guerilla approach. He contacted friends who had friends, and brought a sleeping bag...you get the idea.

He would generally sign in with the Admissions Office so he could get meal vouchers, have an interview, they'd have a record he was on campus, etc. He contacted profs directly for the classes he wanted to visit. Noone ever turned him down. Some sent HW or what the class was reading. If the class was taking a quiz, the prof generally invited him to come by to chat before/after class or during office hours.

Both my sons also made appts./dropped in with a departmental advisor about potential paths through an intended major. Reading the walls in various depts. was very revealing. They also did write-ups of their experiences on each campus. These were REALLY useful when it came time for essays.

To me, the informal, unofficial visits are the best way to get info that the school won't proffer in a presentation. S1 also assiduously avoided Official Accepted Student Visits. There are pros and cons, but for him the guerilla approach worked.

If you can't get there, your student should make every effort to attend the info session if that school's rep comes to the HS.

[SimpleRules]

After taking formal tours of many large universities and my D saying she LOVED the campuses, applying and getting accepted to a number of large universities, honors programs and all, I realized an informal tour was needed before she 'sealed the deal' so last spring I planned out a personal tour of her #1 university pick that included a dorm similar to one she would go to, the walk to the buildings she would mostly be taking classes in, etc. None of these buildings were on the formal tour. In fact this part of the campus wasn't even on the tour. Guess what? She realized she really did not like the large campus!??? Without the propaganda, and the focus on the 'pretty' part of campus everything looked very different. Thank goodness I had insisted she also apply to a range of LACs, one which she will happily attend this fall.

Informal tours of large universities are very valuable as on the formal tour you many not see the part of campus you will be spending most of your time.

[CountingDown]

That reminds me -- for the final April visit(s) we sent S1 solo. We wanted him to have the full-on independent experience, including the hassles of travel. Thank goodness for frequent flyer plane & train miles!

S2 also found out on an informal visit that the major he was considering there graduated two people last year; most of the people who take that major do so as a secondary one. Hmmm.

[abasket]

Visited 2 schools yesterday - one official, one just stopped and did our own "tour". Because I'm a CC parent, I had of course researched both schools many times online and "knew" much - some info I knew better than the admission person we talked with!

The official visit was fine, but really didn't give us much "new" info - we had visited the school one other time on a Sat. morning/large group visit. We could ask a few more questions on the tour since it was more individualized - our tour guide though, gave us the "canned" tour - when I asked about stopping in at a couple of spots not on her usual tour route, she said "no, you can go there afterwards if you want" - weird. My D gives admission tours at her college and said, you NEVER say no unless there is construction or something - ALWAYS go out of your way to show what the family wants if at all possible. We did go to these places after our scheduled tour and I have no idea why she (the tour guide) didn't want to stop at these places.

Our second visit was on our own. Happily, all the buildings were open and we explored freely. Since the summer class schedules are more sparse, we peeked in classrooms/labs without problem. Everyone was friendly. We moved at a quicker, more productive pace. Of course, we couldn't ASK questions as we moved, but now that we have visited we can formulate those questions and ask through a phone call or next visit. We didn't venture into dorms (that felt a little intrusive) but again, we saw enough we liked to return anyway.

In the interest of time, I would definitely take advantage of tours on your own if you have the opportunity or unexpecte opportunity.

[nurseratchet]

Tours on our own were the best. We were limited to summer tours as D's school schedule didn't permit missing school. There was always a kid in admissions during the summer that they would find to show us around alone. It allowed for a really honest perspective of the school. When the tour guide didn't feel like they were on show they told us the real aspects of the school. ie, it wasn't their first choice, drugs on campus etc. It also allowed D to ask questions without feeling uncomfortable in a big group.

[livesinnewjersey]

Lets make a "to do" list of a self guided tour of a campus:
1) Try to check in w/ admissions office (pick up a map & sign in)
2) Cafeteria
3) Library
4) Student Center
5) Gymnasium
6) Academic building of student's interest (science/ business/communication)
7) try to get into a dorm
Any others?

BTW- I do feel that the formal info sessions (not tours) do give you a sense of what Admin officers are looking for. I believe they often reveal their biases.

[abasket]

If you're my son, you have to check out the soccer fields/tennis courts for playing and the football field for watching.

Don't forget to check out the nearby neighborhood for resources (stores, restaurants) and safety.

We look for green spaces. Places to hang out outside.

Alternative campus spots for eating besides the cafeteria.

Bookstore - for gear.

[ReachForDreams]

I think the informal tour is great for after you get accepted. You can do the "cookie cutter" official tour first, before applying, to see if you generally like it. Then once it's decision time you get more personal by walking around where you want to go on your own.