How important is it to attend fall visitation events for prospective students?

[sp108]

Before applying, and if you are sure you want to attend the program, is it important to attend the fall visitation events that the school hosts?

Trying to free up my schedule in Nov/Dec for these events.

[chocolatecheesecake]

Great question. IMHO, you should try to visit a few of your top schools before you commit, and I don't think it matters when it is (fall or spring, admitted student, etc.) You should still get a good idea of what it's like there. I visited some schools, and were able to take them off my list because I wasn't interested anymore. I also visited others, and kept them on my list, but had a better handle on what they offered. I'm very happy with where I ended up, but I wished that I had been able to visit. In the end, I was able to make a good decision even with partial information, because I'd visited one of the two schools I was accepted at. At least give yourself partial information if not full!