<p>Is it a realistic goal to make a college list without going on many official college tours? I’ve visited a lot of schools before junior year, but due to major commitments throughout this year, I have not and will not be able to spend time going on college tours this year (at least while school remains in session—can you visit schools during the summer?). </p>
<p>Is it realistic to make “The List” and apply to schools, then visit where I am accepted, or do I really need to visit first to get a sense of things (and to show interest to the admissions committee?)? Does anyone have experience doing that?</p>
<p>I applied to all of my schools without ever seeing the campuses. Then, in between the time of submitting applications and hearing back from them, I visited the schools and quickly weeded out the schools I was less impressed by.</p>
<p>As long as you don’t have an absurdly long list of schools that you’re applying to, you should be able to knock out campus visits at these schools after already applying (as long as they are in-state or in a nearby state). I don’t think admissions officers take into account how early you visit campus. It should be fine.</p>
<p>Demonstrating interest is important at some smaller schools. You can pull up each school’s common data set to see how they rank that criteria. </p>
<p>While visiting schools during the summer does not provide a useful feel for the type of students on campus, those summer visits do count as demonstrated interest. Some small schools will also like you to interview, so read the school’s admission web site to determine if interviews are required or suggested.</p>
<p>Yes. Many students can’t afford the money or time to make pre-application visits, so they use this method. Of course, you want to structure your application list appropriately, taking into account such things as net price and courses/majors offered that match your interests, and having at least one safety that you like, will definitely get into, and will definitely be able to afford.</p>
<p>Of course, if some of your schools consider “level of applicant’s interest”, you may then have to figure out what counts as “showing interest” at each school.</p>
<p>“Is it realistic to make “The List” and apply to schools, then visit where I am accepted”</p>
<p>Yes, if necessary. Under these circumstances, it might be particularly valuable to have an outside counselor or other source who has been to dozens of campuses if your HS counselor is not helpful enough.</p>
<p>You can visit during the summer, though you may learn more about the town and campus than the student body. Some schools, like Dartmouth, reliably have a lot of their own students on campus every summer.</p>