Hey, so I'm a junior freaking out about the whole college application thing. I've heard that visiting colleges can sometimes help you get accepted, but I'm not sure if that's just a myth? I'm already swamped with schoolwork and extracurriculars, so I don't want to waste my time visiting a bunch of colleges if it won't actually help me. Can anyone who's been through this process tell me if college visits made a difference for them? Especially for competitive schools, I'm really trying to maximize my chances here. Thanks!
Hey! I totally get the stress you're feeling about college applications. I was in your shoes not too long ago. About college visits, it's true that they can sometimes help your chances of getting in, but it's not a guarantee. It's more about showing demonstrated interest. Basically, if you visit a college, it shows that you're genuinely interested in the school, and they might be more inclined to accept you because they think you're more likely to attend if accepted.
For competitive schools, demonstrated interest can be a factor, but it's usually not the primary thing they look at. They're more focused on your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays. That being said, if you're really interested in a particular college, visiting can help you get a better sense of the campus vibe and whether it's a good fit for you. Plus, you can use your experience in the visit to write a more compelling essay about why you want to go there.
In the end, visiting colleges can be helpful, but it's not a must-do. If you're already overwhelmed with school and activities, prioritize those first. But if you have some free time, visiting a few colleges you're really interested in might be a good idea. Good luck!
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