I LOVE Harvey Mudd. The culture, the classes, the research… it all sounds so great!
HOWEVER, I am a person big on having options. And applying to their binding early application (or any schools binding early application) is just not something I want to do. I feel like being a regular application person will give me a huge leg down. I need them to believe that they aren’t just another top rated school to me, they sound a lot like what I want “home” to look like for the next four years.
What won’t help that is I am a Washington resident. As much as I would like to we simply do not have the money to go on a trip to schools before I am admitted. I fear not visiting Harvey Mudd will cement that image that I see them as just another smart school.
Is this fear legitimate?
You need to apply, get accepted, then visit. It is possible that they will pay for your flight. They understand that not everyone can visit, and it will,not be held against you if you don’t. Express interest by signing up for emails, requesting an interview, contacting the AO with questions NOT easily found on the website, and meeting with a rep if one comes to your area.
Btw, it may be to late, but they may have a fly-in programs for certain students, whihc could be starting very soon. Usually high-achieving URMs or students from low SES, but you can contact the AO if you can’t find info on the college website.
There are a lot of ways to show demonstrated interest. Write to the Dean of Admissions and let him know traveling there is financially prohibitive, but how much you like what you are reading about the school. Try to schedule an alumni interview. Like their facebook page. Talk to your GC and identify other good ways to demonstrate interest.
Have you looked at FAST? For URM, low income and first generation students.
I think it is perfectly fair to not want to apply early decision to a school (I’m in the same boat as you- I like to have options). You can email with your admissions rep and ask about interviews in your area, as well as signing up for their newsletter. There are definitely many ways to show interest besides visiting campus.
The deadline for FAST is this Friday, if you are interested.
https://www.hmc.edu/admission/fast/how-to-apply/
They also have off campus interviews so you can still manage that without a visit (potentially).
https://www.hmc.edu/admission/connect/interviews/off-campus-interviews/
If you have the stats to apply, then do so. Don’t let your inability to visit or your lack of desire to apply ED stop you. As others have mentioned, there are plenty of ways to show interest. (And according to their CDS it is only “considered” not “very important”.)
Oh my gosh guys thankyou so much! I shall DEFINATLY be applying for FAST. Thankyou all for the great advice. I dont know how I didn’t know about it.