For schools that already have a very high yield rate like Exeter, Andover, and Groton canceling revisits probably won’t impact things much. But I am surprised that a school like Taft would cancel because there are probably lots of families who will be deciding between it and peer schools.
My son interviewed with Taft off-campus but didn’t wind up applying so their cancellation doesn’t affect us. However there are other similar schools we definitely want to visit before making a decision.
I agree. I think schools with a high yield are probably having an easier time making this decision. Those that need revisits to “woo” students are probably taking more time to decide how to approach this. I do also think it will negatively impact admissions overall. Without revisits I think there will be a higher (though probably not by a huge amount) percentage of students who decide to stay local instead. In fact, this is the first time we have flirted with that idea, because I know my daughter is going to have a really hard time choosing without visiting again.
Having said that, things I hope they do for “virtual” revisits: connect a current with every prospective student (via email,text, social media etc), do virtual tours of (freshman) dorm rooms, “live” classroom feeds etc.
What would you all like to see for virtual re-visits?
Thacher revisits canceled, too.
This probably affects financial aid families the most. Some choose not to spend money on travel to visit schools until they know they’ve been offered a spot.
Tough call on how this will impact the schools. Revisits are SO important, even for the schools who have cancelled. Many students can not afford to fly out to interview, others live in different countries and then there are those who chose to interview by Skype or over the summer when school is not in session. I can say that when we interviewed we came away from every school and said, OK that’s a great school, it might be our top choice. Then the next one would come and we would have the same feelings. Revisits solidify your thoughts and give you a chance to really dig deep for fit. If there is any good news to this it may be that there will be more than normal wait list movement at the top tier schools? Just trying to find a silver lining.
Cate just cancelled revisits.
I assume that these schools will try and do some live-streaming of activities and such.
SPS canceled too.
Where did you see that SPS cancelled revisit days? I couldn’t find it. Thanks!
^ In an email sent by the school to current students. They are planning virtual revisit days instead.
For the moment, it seems as though Kent revisits are still happening, at least according to the acceptances box received yesterday (sent by regular US mail, so sent probably Thursday?).
This leads me to believe that some schools might still do revisits.
Makes sense that the cost-benefit ratio is affected by a number of factors including: % of candidates who already visited for interviews (probably higher for “big name” schools), how important are revisits in swaying your admitted students to come to your school (“big name” schools might have more already-decided students at their revisits), and of course, how much a cancellation would affect your yield for a variety of reasons (“big name” schools may perceive that many of their applicants would probably still attend, even if they have never visited campus before).
In the absence of revisiting, we are all forced to lean a bit on the opinions of others that have gone before us. And that’s where reputation and perceived prestige might come into play as a proxy for our own experiences. Leaning on reputation means that “big name” schools stand to lose less on that front than the “hidden gems.”
On the risk side of the equation, the revisits for hidden gems might have fewer attendees, making the risk management issues smaller. (maybe)
So it makes sense to me that hidden gems might be more inclined to keep revisits, even just doing this quick back-of-the-envelope analysis.
Still, I wouldn’t at all be surprised if even currently-scheduled revisits get cancelled in a few weeks.
Thanks @GoatMama… I checked out their website and couldn’t find any mention of it. I am guessing that many schools will do this now… better start checking internet connections in case of acceptances! Thank you.
I agree @Calliemomofgirls… You can easily see why some of the hidden gems would resist the urge to cancel revisits. I definitely think you can make a big impression in person and can sway a few kids to say yes. Sad it is happening, but do understand.
Harvard just cancelled admitted students weekend. Wow.
Uggh. DS is waiting for a decision from one of the schools on the cancelled list. We live far away, but are going to be in the area soon and planned to visit in the next couple of weeks if admitted. We’ve never visited the school. He’s been accepted to another school that we only saw a small part of (no classes/students).
Thanks for the info. Where do you find the announcement, did Cate send out an email? I love Cate but find their website a pain to navigate!
@hurryslowly Cate has cancelled revisits. They are working on virtual stuff. I’m a current parent of a Cate student and I know of at least one other that is active so feel free to ask any questions you have.
Good luck and I hope you get great news tomorrow!
@hurryslowly - you aren’t alone re: the website! I hated it when kiddo applied, and still do. Fortunately they have a parent portal with all the relevant info (not nuts about it, either, but it does the job). They are great with emails, Health reports, and weekly photos. I don’t have to go through the main website often.
The notice went out in an email to current parents.
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions, here or pm!
@bouders I’m so sorry! What a situation to try and figure out! I’m so sorry.
I had heard that the NAIS has suggested that all schools cancel their revisit days.
i really can’t believe all the canceled Revisits - it makes sense logistically, but my Andover/Exeter Revisits changed my entire decision, and it might’ve been different if I hadn’t done Revisits. My heart goes out to admitted kids who aren’t allowed to Revisit at their school… still, better safe than sorry, I suppose…
Many thanks – got the great news this morning - so thrilled!! This will be second kiddo to the Mesa, love Cate so much (just that website…). We are very fortunate in that revisit day is not important to us, not a shadow of a doubt about accepting the offer, such a wonderful place.