visit schools w/o invitation or acceptance: is it okay? tips?

[SomeNerd]

I have applied to some grad programs but they have not said anything back to me yet. Spring break is about to come and I am hoping to visit my friends, and I am also hoping to visit some graduate programs that have not rejected me or accepted me. So far I have not received any campus visit day invitation from the schools that I want to visit during spring break. 

Is that okay if I email the department notifying them about my person visit? (The trip will be totally on me.) Should I request to speak with graduate program director or graduate students?

I know it is probably extra work for the department to host me outside the visit day, but I really want to visit my dream school. Please share tips or experience if you have any. Thanks in advance!

[Gatech_ST]

That is totally fine, and beside, you can simply walk into the school and check the campus yourself and the area around it yourself if they couldn't arrange something official for you (assuming it is legal hah )

 

[cyberwulf]

Unfortunately, the middle of the admissions & recruiting season is probably the worst time to make an "unofficial" campus visit. Faculty and staff are already occupied with admitted students (who have highest priority) and may not be particularly keen on making additional arrangements for someone who is unlikely to be admitted. They would (rightly) also be concerned about precedent; if you were to visit and then ultimately be accepted, this would potentially create a big incentive for future non-admitted students to try to arrange such unofficial visits. Things could quickly get out of hand.

[SomeNerd]

15 hours ago, cyberwulf said:

Unfortunately, the middle of the admissions & recruiting season is probably the worst time to make an "unofficial" campus visit. Faculty and staff are already occupied with admitted students (who have highest priority) and may not be particularly keen on making additional arrangements for someone who is unlikely to be admitted. They would (rightly) also be concerned about precedent; if you were to visit and then ultimately be accepted, this would potentially create a big incentive for future non-admitted students to try to arrange such unofficial visits. Things could quickly get out of hand.

Thank you for sharing your prospective! That is a good point that you made. I will think about it. 

[BL250604]

That being said, it certainly doesn't hurt to visit campus if you want to do that. No need to arrange something with the department (if you haven't been accepted yet), and check out the building and part of campus that they're in.