College Rep Visits to High Schools (public)

[Anonymous]

Can anyone share information about these school visits?

Is it worth the time and disruption for DS to duck out of class to go meet the college rep from the 10+ schools that interest him? A handful of these schools report that they consider "demonstrated interest," so I assume those visits are a priority?

Also, who are the college reps that visit high schools in the fall? Are they they AO assigned to read applications from the geographic area, or are they other representatives from the school?

Finally, what are those meetings like? Mostly an opportunity for the reps to sell kids on applying to the school? Or are they noting which kids attend and how they present themselves? If the latter, any advice on how DS should "prepare"?

FWIW, DS is at a public school in a UMC midwestern suburb with a class size of 225 kids. Not clear how crowded these things get.

[Anonymous]

It depends. That’s the answer to all your questions.

[Anonymous]

at our large school, the big state schools get hundreds of kids and it's in the auditorium. For those schools demonstrated interest is usually not even a thing. For smaller schools it is more like a room in the counselor's office with 3-5 kids.

[Anonymous]

They should be considered mandatory. Normally you are face to face with the first person to read your app so a positive impression could make a difference. Even for the big colleges, tell your kid to approach the rep afterwards and thank them for visiting.

[Anonymous]

I really don't want my kid missing class to go to a session on a school she has already visited or decided to apply. But I will let them make those decisions. If kid interested in a school that is visiting but cannot or does not want to miss class, have kid tell the college/career counselor in advance that they're interested in any literature or info the rep hands out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should be considered mandatory. Normally you are face to face with the first person to read your app so a positive impression could make a difference. Even for the big colleges, tell your kid to approach the rep afterwards and thank them for visiting.

Out of hundreds of kids a day, day after day, are you thinking a thank you will be placed with a name?

As in, “hi, thanks for coming. i am jeff jones, btw!!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share information about these school visits?

Is it worth the time and disruption for DS to duck out of class to go meet the college rep from the 10+ schools that interest him? A handful of these schools report that they consider "demonstrated interest," so I assume those visits are a priority?

Also, who are the college reps that visit high schools in the fall? Are they they AO assigned to read applications from the geographic area, or are they other representatives from the school?

Finally, what are those meetings like? Mostly an opportunity for the reps to sell kids on applying to the school? Or are they noting which kids attend and how they present themselves? If the latter, any advice on how DS should "prepare"?

FWIW, DS is at a public school in a UMC midwestern suburb with a class size of 225 kids. Not clear how crowded these things get.

My DD skipped the NYU rep at her school because she didn't want to miss her class. It had no impact and she applied and got in and is there now. So no need to attend unless they have the time!. Same with a few other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should be considered mandatory. Normally you are face to face with the first person to read your app so a positive impression could make a difference. Even for the big colleges, tell your kid to approach the rep afterwards and thank them for visiting.

This. Go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't want my kid missing class to go to a session on a school she has already visited or decided to apply. But I will let them make those decisions. If kid interested in a school that is visiting but cannot or does not want to miss class, have kid tell the college/career counselor in advance that they're interested in any literature or info the rep hands out.

+1

My kid is skipping most but making a couple of ones she still has questions about a priority. It's not mandatory at her HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share information about these school visits?

Is it worth the time and disruption for DS to duck out of class to go meet the college rep from the 10+ schools that interest him? A handful of these schools report that they consider "demonstrated interest," so I assume those visits are a priority?

Also, who are the college reps that visit high schools in the fall? Are they they AO assigned to read applications from the geographic area, or are they other representatives from the school?

Finally, what are those meetings like? Mostly an opportunity for the reps to sell kids on applying to the school? Or are they noting which kids attend and how they present themselves? If the latter, any advice on how DS should "prepare"?

FWIW, DS is at a public school in a UMC midwestern suburb with a class size of 225 kids. Not clear how crowded these things get.

My DD skipped the NYU rep at her school because she didn't want to miss her class. It had no impact and she applied and got in and is there now. So no need to attend unless they have the time!. Same with a few other schools.

good to know

[Anonymous]

I think it's a possible way to get your name on a sign-in list that could give you a DI checkmark.

Occasionally a kid will make a personal connection with an AO.

My son went to Michigan's visit to his high school. We are in-state. There were about 30 kids there. Class size about 300. We send 10-20 kids there a year.

For schools that give a lot of merit and track DI, I think raising one's name recognition is a good idea.

It also may help kids to understand the application process better. Either through repetition or condensation of essential points.

I think live webinar sign-ups can be a substitute.

I wouldn't skip a test or field trip to do an AO visit.

[Anonymous]

For small schools that track demonstrated interest, it’s important to go.

Big schools where hundreds of kids attend the visit? Nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should be considered mandatory. Normally you are face to face with the first person to read your app so a positive impression could make a difference. Even for the big colleges, tell your kid to approach the rep afterwards and thank them for visiting.

Out of hundreds of kids a day, day after day, are you thinking a thank you will be placed with a name?

As in, “hi, thanks for coming. i am jeff jones, btw!!”

Yes

[Anonymous]

If your kid is interested in this school, it’s an opportUnity for your student to talk to a AO. I imagine he will sign in so this fact could show school “interest.” Your child shouldn’t sit slumped in the corner so maybe he could come up with a few questions about his intended major.

[Anonymous]

For public schools I wouldn't bother. It felt like a college fair, which my DC also hated. It's a very superficial presentation and interaction. I would not miss class for this. Grades in grade 12 are really important and too much is missed in an hour. If it's during lunch or a study hall, then fine.