@ScreenName48105 - exactly, which then leads to the thought that the far-away programs may be equally unknowable without visits, so we have to acknowledge we could easily overlook a great program there, which we can’t control. But at least S can evaluate the sample of programs that have the best “image”.
@dbandmom - I haven’t decided how to approach this. Already, or soon enough, it would be guessable by a local who S is. If I want to post in the future what S’s thought processes are, I might want to abstract the schools. If I want to provide CC with impressions of each school, I would have to name them. I envisioned that in a few weeks, I would come back and mention S’s process and thoughts, only saying " school A", “B”, or " C". So that no dirt sticks anywhere. Let’s see how it unfolds, but I would be happy to report from Chicagoland anything that anyone would want to know.
Another note, dbandmom, it is funny, but this doesn’t feel like a “list”. Rather, there are 3 places that instructors have mentioned are worth checking out. Or, a professor of the school has asked if he would visit, so it’s like " why not check them out.". There was really no prior ranking and sorting that pointed us there. So, it feels unlisty.