What wealthy DCUM is missing is that a lot of families do not tour in person.

So virtual visits are GREAT in leveling the playing field. Don't think it will deter applicants!

My kid was able to visit about half the schools on his list (some of them pre-pandemic, some of them just a drive thru rather than an actual tour). He's chosen an ED that he HASN'T visited, but I think he did get a good sense of the vibe and size he wanted from the visits he did go on, and his choice ticks all the boxes. It's the best we can do in this environment, and I think if he gets in he'll be fine there.

My worry would be how curated your view is. But not much you can do.

When you visit, you see things they might not what you to see. Like the sketchy neighborhood that has to be navigated when walking back from town, or lack of maintenance in the dorms, or kids smoking outside, unpalatable food options in the dining hall, science posters authored by undergrads up on the halls of the science building, flyers for what is going on that weekend, etc

My bigger concern is the ED option located in California, where campus is closed. I don't trust the local govt authorities and have concerns about them being sufficiently open next fall. Kid already visited this option prior to corona as well, and I have no problem with the school itself. I do not want kid to be bound to a school that will have him online - I want to at least wait to see what happens with California in the spring.

The only other concern I have is lack of maturity, what if kid changes perspectives over the next six months, another matter entirely. I worry about ED being too soon for my late bloomer.

Only a couple of colleges on my kid's list offer in-person tours, and those are very limited. Neither of the ED possibilities are currently offering in-person tours - one of which kid visited prior to corona. We still have what, ten days LOL? I have no idea what is going to happen, but I wouldn't mind a quick one-day trip to go walk around campus for a couple of hours, if we could get cheap flights. Kid has an extended virtual program this weekend, so we'll see what he thinks after that.

I don't think the visit in person is absolutely essential, but it would make me feel a whole lot better to know that the kid has at least walked around a bit before we make a 300k commitment.

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the school. Some of the online stuff has been great.

My DC picked an ED school based on online content (and word of mouth from family/friends). Had planned a visit last spring break, but then... Still, DC is all-in, even without an in-person tour. Google Maps is also a godsend these days!

I will say, I’m glad DC was able to visit what wound up becoming a pick for a safety school. That makes me feel more comfortable that it’ll work out if need be.

Between official virtual tours and unofficial "day in the life" videos on youtube, you can actually get a better feel of these schools. The in-person tours have you with 1-2 students. The youtube videos go on and on (unless you are looking at small schools, then the options are more limited).

Depends on the school. Some of the online stuff has been great.

I think people will have more confidence picking a school they have visited.

Anyone else wondering how schools offering only online or virtual visits will do admission wise compared to schools that are allowing prospective students on campus? I'm finding that my senior is less interested in schools that are not offering campus tours. The schools that are allowing solo or small tours definitely seem to be piquing her interest more than those doing zoom sessions or online tours.

Might the all-online colleges see a decline in applications compared to schools that let kids tour on campus?