Why Campus Visits Matter
On November 1st, the majority of early action and early decision college applications are due. For the next four weeks I will share college application tips to help the whole process run smoothly. (Read previous advice about logistics, the common application form, the honors and activities sections, supplements, AI, and the core essay.)
This is a busy time of year, especially for high school seniors. Ideally, you have already gone on enough campus visits to feel confident about your school list, and to articulate why you are interested in your target schools.
However, I have noticed a recent trend that alarms me to my admissions expert core. Specifically, I am hearing from many families that are reluctant to plan campus visits.
I get it – campus visits are expensive, time consuming, and might seem unnecessary. Post-Covid, many schools also offer online opportunities to learn more. Nevertheless, if it’s a viable option for your family, I very strongly encourage you to carve out time to go, even now, a few weeks before the first deadlines.
Looking for a few compelling reasons?
- Campus visits show demonstrated interest.
You might have heard about “demonstrated interest,” which is a metric that many colleges use in the admissions process. It helps them calibrate yield, and they know that people who have interacted with the school, especially by coming to campus, are more likely to attend, which makes the college more likely to admit them.
- Campus visits help you confidently shape your school list.
There is no substitute for visiting a school, if you want to get a sense of the atmosphere. Do the students look happy? Are they talking to each other, or focused on their phones? Is the surrounding area scary? Are the freshman dorms 2 miles from the main campus? What does your gut tell you about your fit?
- Campus visits help you take advantage of important tools like early decision.
Applying to a college early decision is a binding commitment to attend, if admitted. For families that are comfortable with the financial implications of applying early decision, doing so can dramatically increase the odds of acceptance. Without having visited enough schools, it’s very difficult to have this level of clarity.
- Campus Visits Might Change Your Mind.
You don’t know what you don’t know. I have often seen students change their mind dramatically about what they’re looking for, after their first set of visits. The big school paradigm that looked so alluring online might seem overwhelming in person. The rural setting that seemed boring might come across as charmingly peaceful when you’re there. If necessary, it’s far better to pivot now, before all of your applications are due – or worse, before you realize you don’t want to go to any of the schools that have admitted you.
Next Friday, more college application tips – Interviews.
