Applying to schools that you didn't visit

[Anonymous]

We visited six schools, and three of them fell off DD's list for applications between then and now for various reasons (didn't like location, didn't have a major she now wants, etc.). It's not just money, but time as well. Of course, it didn't help that she refused to get out of bed very early on a Saturday morning recently to try to make a visit to a school about three hours away.

The issue with the admissions people doing a session at their high school is often it seems to fall during a test or a presentation my daughter has. Two of the schools she's applying to had reps come, but both fell at very difficult times for her to miss class. This happened just today in fact.

I have been pushing her to send emails to some of the admission officers asking them a question about the school or a program she's interested in to demonstrate some interest. I know she's emailed some of them, who have, of course, encouraged her to come visit!

[Anonymous]

I can't believe what I'm reading here - - if an institutions final decision rests on whether or not your kid "clicks" on a bunch of junk mail baited to "prove their interest", a rejection is probably, in the long run, a blessing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe what I'm reading here - - if an institutions final decision rests on whether or not your kid "clicks" on a bunch of junk mail baited to "prove their interest", a rejection is probably, in the long run, a blessing.

I have to agree with this. DD got between 3000-4000 emails from colleges last year. I doubt she even saw, much less opened many of their emails, even of the schools she was interested in. Many schools insisted they did not track interest and I have no reason to think they were fibbing.

[Anonymous]

I have spoken directly with college admissions reps, and they've said that interest counts. You don't have to visit the school (it's financially and logistically impossible sometimes), but your kid does need to email the rep for her area with questions, go to the local visit (there are lots of these), keep in touch with the school, have an alumni interview. Interest really does factor in. They've told me they reject high caliber candidates they are certain won't go if they get in because they want to admit kids who are a good fit for their school. They want to admit kids who are likely to go to the school, and not waste an admission on a kid who's using the school for a safety but has no intention or likelihood of attending that school.

[Anonymous]

We visited most of DCs east coast choices. She is applying in CA ( we did look at one school there .. We were there for family stuff) and New Orleans. Told her her we would see where she got in and then visit West coast and New Orleans schools on a weekend or spring break this year

[Anonymous]

I certainly hope this isn't true. DD is applying to several schools we didn't have time or $$ to visit. She's very interested, though, has emailed the regional reps, gone to a few local interviews at her school, but hasn't had time to set up an alumni interview. DD is applying to 12 schools! It's expensive to visit them all. I'm sure the schools realize that.

[Anonymous]

There is a business opportunity here. Maybe you can pay someone to go to the schools and sign up for the campus tour.

Such utter dumb assness.

[Anonymous]

Generally publics don't care. Formula based.

One public did. I noticed on naviance that U Minnesota had rejected all students (a few) who applied from our HS, all the years I could see. Thought that was strange - maybe they didn't think they were serious. DD didn't apply to UM. Got into 8 publics, 5 she had never visited.

It is so much fun going on college tours when the student has already been admitted. Very empowering.

For privates I would be very concerned about not visiting, not showing interest. I think it matters a great deal.