<p>My friend recently told me that visiting some universities (ie WSU, Vanderbilt, etc…) increases your chance of admission if you are on the borderline. I have never heard of this happening before. Is this true?</p>
<p>Some schools place lots of emphasis on what they perceive to be the potential applicant’s interest because they realize that it’s a two-way street. Students show interest and look for a good school, the schools are looking to attract (and hopefully matriculate) great students.</p>
<p>What your friend is speaking about is “demonstrated interest”. Some schools will devote more time & attn to those which they feel might eventually apply and would matriculate if admitted. How much each school uses this varies. The ultra selectives don’t give weight to this b/c they’re confident of the no. of applicants and quality and eventual yield rate.</p>
<p>I think it’s a bump in many cases. If you can you definitely should because you may eliminate a school you think you want to attend, but of course it’s not always possible.</p>
<p>it’s true at some schools. You can find out from their admission website. Some flatly say “we pay no attention to demonstrated interest”. Generally these are either schools that know that if the accept someone they will get serious consideration (Ivies, Stanford, etc), or else schools that admit pretty much by score and don’t care about other things (eg. many state schools). Others say they take it into account. Generally your schools striving to move up in the rankings care a lot; think WUSTL, Tufts, etc.</p>
<p>A college visit and interview will definitely show “demonstrated interest” of the potential candidate. Admission offices are also keen on “yield” from students who are made admission offers. If any thing, I feel college visit helps.</p>