During the fall, when I was solidifying which programs I would apply to, I did go out and visit 3 places I was interested in. They were very beneficial in helping determine a "gut feeling" of how I would fit in with the other students and faculty, and how interested they would be in my success and potential contribution to them. Two of the departments I visited met my expectations, but one of them made me feel like it would likely not be a place where I could meet my goals. So these pre-applying visits were very helpful to me in that way. As for post-applying visits, we'll see!...