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Is it worth visiting a college that is a "reach"? It would mean time off school and travel costs, plus time off work for at least one parent. The odds of admission are fairly low (based on average SATs, etc.), and I'd prefer to visit only if accepted.

By Dave Berry on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 12:35 pm: Edit

Kimmie, there's always the chance that you'll get in. If so, you've GOT to visit before you enroll. College is just too big an investment to enroll "blind."

If you really feel that your chances are slim, then I suggest waiting until you get the verdict before investing time and money in a visit. April 1 is the latest that most RD acceptances come out, and you'll probably have at least until May 1 to decide. Therefore, you'll have almost a month to schedule a visit, if you get good news.

In the meantime, you can do some background by searching the school's Web site and reading their student newspaper online. You could also e-mail a few current students and ask them questions (assuming that student e-mails and/or their Web pages are avaialble). That way, you'll already have a head start if you're accepted. If you're not accepted, then you've not wasted a trip. Best wishes on getting in, Kimmie. Let us know what happens.

By Roger (Roger) on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 03:22 pm: Edit

I'd add one qualification, Kimmie. If your reach school is also your "dream" school (at least as far as you can tell before visiting), then an earlier visit might be one way to help your chances just a bit. It demonstrates some interest, and if you are lucky enough to get a one-on-one with an admissions officer you could further build your case. If the school is just an interesting long shot, I'm with Dave - focus your efforts on schools with a higher probability of success.

By Dadster on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 04:23 pm: Edit

These days even some "safety" colleges, i.e., schools for which you would fall into the top few percent of applicants, expect you to visit. If you don't, they might assume that you are using them as a backup and waitlist you. (This helps keep their acceptance rate down and makes them look more selective.)

By Roger (Roger) on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 09:42 am: Edit

Good point, Dadster, although in many cases a waitlisted applicant with superior qualifications could probably squeeze in if desired. Still, it's a risk - even safeties aren't safe these days!

By burningman on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 07:29 pm: Edit

The whole visiting thing is one more element of financial pressure. It's one thing to cough up fifty bucks for an application, but for a student, or a student and parent, to travel someplace distant can get expensive in a hurry. I don't think that students should pick a college sight unseen. When colleges have the attitude, "You didn't visit, so you probably aren't really intererested... we'll reject you to keep our yield up." it just adds to the expense of the college process.

By California Mom (Calmom) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 09:16 pm: Edit

If you can't visit, other contacts will tend to demonstrate interest. These include attending local college admissions tours or fairs where there is a rep. from the college; requesting an optional alumni interview or meeting with a local interviewer; and simply making repeated contacts with the admission office.

By Dadster on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 10:54 pm: Edit

Good point, Calmom. Most colleges use a geographic territory allocation for their admissions people, so it's a good idea to get to know the rep for your area - even phone or e-mail contacts might serve as a demonstration of interest.