Getting “bonus points/recognition” for sitting in on college class during visit

silverpurple · January 10

My 11th grader will be visiting a handful of colleges in the next couple of months. Her stats are in the range, actually, alittle above, for the colleges. She signed up to tour and do info session on line. She will be sitting in on a class at each of the colleges. Some colleges she just arranged to sit in by contacting the professor. At those colleges there doesnt seem to be a notation (as far as we can see) that the admissions office will know that she attended the class. Of course she is attending class to help her decide if she likes the college. But we also want the college to note her interest in hopes she not only gets in, but gets merit money. Do they keep track if she sits in on a class? Or does she need to write a thank you to the professor and cc admissions? Or is referencing the class visit in the essay the way to go? Thanks

skieurope · January 10

Of course she is attending class to help her decide if she likes the college.

Shouldn't that be enough for her?

No, there are no bonus points to be had. If the college has a "why X" prompt or some question about what attracted her to the college, she can mention the class. Yes, she should thank the professor. No, she does not need to cc admissions. Although she can certainly send separate notes thanking admissions and the tour guide for their time. But that's just courtesy, not brownie points.

CupCakeMuffins · January 10

It’s worth 10 points, after class eat at their cafeteria for 10 more, spend $500 at their campus store for 50 points. It keeps adding up.

Kidding aside, we all know this parental anxiety and not wanting to miss any chance to improve kid’s odds. Relax, she’ll be fine no matter what’s the outcome.

Dolemite · January 10

The schools where it would matter as far as showing interest (WashU, NWU, etc) the classroom visits should have been made through Admissions. If Admissions doesn't handle that at schools where you contacted the professors yourself then it doesn't matter.

SJ2727 · January 10

I’m not aware of any colleges where interest prior to admission results in more merit money, as OP seems to hope?

“But we also want the college to note her interest in hopes she not only gets in, but gets merit money”

Do any factor this in?

collegemom3717 · January 10

But we also want the college to note her interest in hopes she not only gets in, but gets merit money.

I think you misunderstand how merit money works: it is basically an incentive mechanism, where they get something they are looking for (most commonly higher stats, but sometimes specific regional diversity* or a particular talent**) in exchange for something you are looking for (lower cost). Knowing that a student is interested enough in their school to sit in on a class is (in their world) a basic starting point, not something special, and not something that there is any reason to incentivize financially.

The two main benefits of sitting in on a class is that 1) it *can* give a better sense as to how that school fits- but, as with tours and overnights, it can also give a false impression- b/c it's a random sample of 1, that might not be representative and 2) it *can* help with the writing of the 'why us' essay- even if the specific experience is not mentioned.

*Vandy did this when it was trying to build its profile beyond the SE.
**The famous tuba player example

collegemom3717 · January 10

fyi, you can check whether a school counts demonstrated interest on college data.

milgymfam · January 10

As an aside to all said above, a thank you note to the professor or interviewer, etc, is nice. My D emailed a few times with a professor prior to visiting his class and fully participated while there, and she emailed him a thank you after. He, surprisingly, then dropped a note to admissions saying she would be an asset to the school and the major. I’m not sure that carried any weight, and I’m certain it isn’t the norm, but that is the college my D will be attending next year so it didn’t hurt.

bopper · January 10

The visit itself (when you check in, so they know) shows "interest". Some colleges take that into account for admissions.

Taking a class gets you information on whether you like the college/students/teaching at that college.

lostaccount · January 10

I once had a student ask for extra credit when I needed someone to run to the next building to pick up some extra blue books. Please don't come to any school I'm associated with. Oh, by the way, any learning happen? Cause you know, lucky you to have the chance to learn something without paying for it...but that isn't what it is all about is it?

lostaccount · January 10

"New Discussion
Getting “bonus points/recognition” for sitting in on college class during visit"

Please...go to the school down the street or in the next state. Pretty please! With a cherry on top? and sprinkles!

allyphoe · January 10

Anecdata: My kid lost something during a campus visit, called me in a panic, and I went to the admissions office to see if they knew what the lost-and-found process was. I explained that I was doing the looking because my kid had self-scheduled four back-to-back classes and we had to be in the car to the airport 30 minutes after the last class ended. They told me what three places to look, and then asked for her name. And I was like, "oh, she's just a junior, and she was on a tour yesterday," figuring that, particularly for someone who wasn't an applicant, she'd already checked whatever demonstrated interest box existed for a campus visit, and their Common Data Set says they theoretically don't consider applicant interest. But no, they really wanted to know who she was.

So I don't think it's completely ridiculous to let the admissions office know that you're also sitting in on a class. But I wouldn't expect anything to come of it; certainly no merit. My kid recovered her lost item in the first place suggested, which was reward enough.

citymama9 · January 10

It didn't help my D with her ED school. She sat in on a class where the prof. asked her to participate. My D said most of the students seemed tired and didn't really talk much. My D said she ended up answering more than she planned to since no one else was raising their hand when the Prof asked questions. She said afterwards the Prof told her it was a pleasure having her in her class and she hoped to see her in the fall. I don't think anyone in admissions knew about this. It was an interesting experience for my D, but it didn't help.

citymama9 · January 11

It was arranged through admissions, btw.

Amkngk · January 11

I’ll be the outlier, though I’m sure it’s a rare case. My daughter arranged a class visit through the head of the department. When she got to the class, the prof handed her an evaluation form and asked her to fill out her name, etc. on the form were spots for the interviewer to score and also a box to check for “scholarship.” Yes, my D was having a surprise interview after class. Anyway, she applied ED, was accepted with very nice merit $.

Leigh22 · January 11

#9 #10 Yikes.

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