Importance of visiting schools once accepted?

[geologyninja13]

Hello there! I applied to four masters' programs to specialized in geographical applications to groundwater management. I received acceptances from three! I was planning on visiting all three (driving to SIUC tonight to visit tomorrow). I live in Tennessee.

• Oregon State - offered me T-A position and funds towards visiting them. Top choice
• San Diego State - no aid  package yet, no funds toward visit. second choice
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Full scholarship, research fellowship, minimal cost to visit

I'm agonizing over whether to visit San Diego State. I could technically afford to, but it's a sticker shock. How many of you visited all the schools you were accepted for, and have you ever committed to a school sight-unseen? And what kind of considerations and questions did you look out for in a post-acceptance interview?

Sincerely,

Courtney

Vanderbilt '13 Environmental Policy