<p>Just about everything has been covered. I would only add that I think you would have a very good shot. With legacy and your solid stats, I think they would have to have a very good reason to say “no”.</p>
<p>As to the outside recommendation, my daughter sent one as an extra recommendation. I don’t know if it made a difference or not, but it reinforced an activity she discussed in her essays. Recommendation or not, I do think that your five years of experience in “teen court” sounds very interesting and might make a great topic for an essay.</p>
<p>As for visiting, I think it would be best to visit while school is in session and do the full overnight. If your dad can’t go, just hop on a plane and fly there yourself. It’ll be an adventure! I think it really helps as kind of a “dry-run” for actually going off to college and helps in writing a good Why Swat? essay. Getting from the airport to the college is a piece of cake.</p>