Do college visits really matter?

Hello! I'm a junior and I've been thinking about visiting some colleges, but I'm not sure if it's really important. Do college visits actually make a difference in the admissions process? Thanks for any advice!

Hi there! It's great that you're considering visiting colleges. While college visits may not directly impact the admissions process, they can provide valuable benefits that could indirectly help you during the application process. By visiting colleges, you'll get a better understanding of the campus atmosphere, available resources, and overall student experience. This can help you make an informed decision about which colleges are the best fit for you, and convey your genuine interest in your application essays and interviews. Additionally, demonstrating interest in a college can sometimes play a role in the admissions process. Some colleges track demonstrated interest, which is where visiting the campus, attending college fairs, or engaging in online events can show the admissions officers that you are genuinely interested in attending their institution. This can be especially helpful in cases where the admissions process is highly competitive. However, given that not all students have the resources or time to visit every college they're interested in, many colleges don't heavily weigh demonstrated interest in their decision-making process. In conclusion, while visiting colleges may not be a make-or-break factor in the admissions process, it can definitely help you gain insight and potentially give you an edge by showing your genuine interest. Best of luck!