Already Accepted, Etiquette on School Visit?

[quantitative]

Hi guys, I have a lot of questions on school visits.

I was called by 2 of the Ph.D programs I applied to informing me that I was accepted with tuition waivers/stipends/etc for a social sciences M.A./Ph.D. Both have invited me to expense-paid school visit. Since there is no interview and the money is already on the table, what etiquette should I exercise concerning school visits? How should i dress? What should I expect for the visit in general? Similarly, if staying with grad students in the program, should I bring something to thank them with? If I end up not visiting one of the schools, is there anything I should do? I figured since I don't have the pressure of the interview, things might be a little different than some of the topics regarding interview visits.

Nobody in my family is an academic, so I'm lacking people who I can ask about these school visits. Thank you all so much!

Edited January 31, 2012 by quantitative

[Quantumcross]

Also wondering about this, going to visit a school soon, already accepted with funding, but in Physics.

[fuzzylogician]

The visit is for both of you and the program to learn about mutual fit. They've already admitted you so this will mostly be about trying to impress you and trying to convince you to choose their program, but also about learning more about you. It'll probably be pretty similar to pre-acceptance interviews except more relaxed - there will be meetings with professors, opportunities to meet grad students and ask questions, classes you'll be invited to sit in on, and lunch/dinner/party events. Dress comfortably and not too fancy, prepare questions to help you gather all the information you need to make an informed decision, and don't forget to have fun! (Some people bring gifts for their grad students hosts; personally a sincere 'thank you' is enough for me.)

[wildviolet]

Ditto on everything fuzzylogician posted.

I'm also in the same situation as the OP. As for dress, I'm going to do business casual--I want to present myself as professional but relaxed. I'm thinking of this visit as their opportunity to woo me (so to speak). My temporary adviser is organizing my visit and has already planned for me to attend classes and meet with faculty and graduate students. I'm going to have lots of questions and try to get a feel for the culture of the place--I want to be in a program that is collaborative and friendly, not competitive and antagonistic. If I am accepted to more than university, it is going to be tough for me to select where I want to spend the next five years of my life, so I need to do as much research as possible.

Hope your visits go well!

[ktel]

I went on a similar visit. I dressed casual, dark jeans with a button up shirt and blazer. Some people dressed more formal, but I was comfortable with what I was wearing. Looking back on the visit it was such a blur and I feel like I could have asked many more questions, but at the time it was very overwhelming. Make sure you ask everything you want to ask so you don't feel similarly overwhelmed!

[Hillary Emick]

I did not bring a gift for the student I stayed with on the visit (not knowing her at that time I had no idea what to bring except something generic and fairly thoughtless) but after I returned I sent her a gift that she really appreciated (her favorite coffee, from a regional roaster that is not available in that area).

It was really great to have the option to stay with current grad students to get to know them and get their perspective on the program. As I pointed out to my husband, this is also an indication that when I am a grad student here, we are obviously going to be expected to host various visitors.

[quantitative]

The visit is for both of you and the program to learn about mutual fit. They've already admitted you so this will mostly be about trying to impress you and trying to convince you to choose their program, but also about learning more about you. It'll probably be pretty similar to pre-acceptance interviews except more relaxed - there will be meetings with professors, opportunities to meet grad students and ask questions, classes you'll be invited to sit in on, and lunch/dinner/party events. Dress comfortably and not too fancy, prepare questions to help you gather all the information you need to make an informed decision, and don't forget to have fun! (Some people bring gifts for their grad students hosts; personally a sincere 'thank you' is enough for me.)

Great advice, thank you! Definitely makes sense to me.

Ditto on everything fuzzylogician posted.

I'm also in the same situation as the OP. As for dress, I'm going to do business casual--I want to present myself as professional but relaxed. I'm thinking of this visit as their opportunity to woo me (so to speak). My temporary adviser is organizing my visit and has already planned for me to attend classes and meet with faculty and graduate students. I'm going to have lots of questions and try to get a feel for the culture of the place--I want to be in a program that is collaborative and friendly, not competitive and antagonistic. If I am accepted to more than university, it is going to be tough for me to select where I want to spend the next five years of my life, so I need to do as much research as possible.

Hope your visits go well!

I'm thinking business casual/nice for everyday (undergrad presentation ?). I'm female, so I'm thinking nice flats/boots, dark jeans, a nice sweater/top + accessories. Not over the top, but definitely above the normal college student. I'll save my fancy work clothes for conferences.

I'm definitely with you on finding out the culture of the place. I, as most graduate students, would want a comfortable environment where I can openly collaborate with faculty AND other graduate students. I'm definitely going to watch out for an underlying competitiveness although it seems like the places I'm visiting have a friendly/collaborative environment. It's a TOUGH decision and I'm definitely going to keep my ears open to make sure that I'm making the right decision!

Best of luck to you as well!

I went on a similar visit. I dressed casual, dark jeans with a button up shirt and blazer. Some people dressed more formal, but I was comfortable with what I was wearing. Looking back on the visit it was such a blur and I feel like I could have asked many more questions, but at the time it was very overwhelming. Make sure you ask everything you want to ask so you don't feel similarly overwhelmed!

That's exactly what I'm thinking of (as I said before). Glad my choice of clothes would be appropriate! My special talent is asking question...so I'm not too worried about that..haha.

I did not bring a gift for the student I stayed with on the visit (not knowing her at that time I had no idea what to bring except something generic and fairly thoughtless) but after I returned I sent her a gift that she really appreciated (her favorite coffee, from a regional roaster that is not available in that area).

It was really great to have the option to stay with current grad students to get to know them and get their perspective on the program. As I pointed out to my husband, this is also an indication that when I am a grad student here, we are obviously going to be expected to host various visitors.

I'm really looking forward to meeting grad students in the field to get to know them AND to hear about the program. I'm a very friendly person, so I'm just looking forward to meeting new people. I'm generally the type of person who thanks people in some manner if they put themselves out even a little, especially if I stay at their place. I might try to bring a small gift or do as you did, send one later once I know what the grad student likes. Great idea!

Thank you all for the help. I really appreciate the advice. Can the visits come already!? I'm already excited!

Edited February 7, 2012 by quantitative

[Quantumcross]

I think I'll need to wear my hoodie there because it's 36 degrees there right now. I've been living in Louisiana for the past couple years and I don't have any of my warm clothes....

[quantitative]

I think I'll need to wear my hoodie there because it's 36 degrees there right now. I've been living in Louisiana for the past couple years and I don't have any of my warm clothes....

Head over to a thrift store and see if you can find a winter coat there. Maybe ask a friend if you can borrow their warm jacket for the weekend? If you think you're definitely going there, head over to a national (not regional!) department store like Macy's. Even in places like Florida, they still carry winter coats. Investing in a good winter coat in a cold place is definitely important. My advice: Wool coats/a well-made peacoat are fine for 20/30 degree weather--and you do not need a floor length down coat! Plus, it's more practical (and stylish) in fall/spring when it's not freezing yet.

Edited February 7, 2012 by quantitative

[Quantumcross]

Head over to a thrift store and see if you can find a winter coat there. Maybe ask a friend if you can borrow their warm jacket for the weekend? If you think you're definitely going there, head over to a national (not regional!) department store like Macy's. Even in places like Florida, they still carry winter coats. Investing in a good winter coat in a cold place is definitely important. My advice: Wool coats/a well-made peacoat are fine for 20/30 degree weather--and you do not need a floor length down coat! Plus, it's more practical (and stylish) in fall/spring when it's not freezing yet.

I have a really good winter coat, I'm from Pennsylvania, but my coat is still there. I'm cheap so I don't want to buy a new one and I don't have any transportation anyway.

[quantitative]

I have a really good winter coat, I'm from Pennsylvania, but my coat is still there. I'm cheap so I don't want to buy a new one and I don't have any transportation anyway.

Have your parents mail it to you... you don't need to pay for the mail OR the coat that way.

[hungryhungryhipster]

Have your parents mail it to you... you don't need to pay for the mail

I see you've never met my parents, then.

[DorindaAfterThyrsis]

This should maybe have its own thread, but its mostly related to this topic so I'm going to keep it here for now

I'm super-freaked about the school visits/recruitment weekends I'm going to be attending at the end of the month!

I'm pretty shy and socially awkward at the best of times, and tend to shut down almost completely when in unfamiliar/challenging/competitive environments (yes, my grad school experience is going to be brutal.....I know).....

People often interpret my shyness/quietness/reservedness as stand-offishness/unfriendliness/coldness (so I've been told)....What are some little (and not too challenging!) things I can do to make a good impression? I've already been accepted, but I don't want my first interaction with my potential colleagues and profs to be "Oh yeah....she's that weird/quiet/bitchy chick from Canada who didn't say a word the entire weekend....."

Also, I'm staying with current students on my first trip (in a dorm on the second), and for all the reasons mentioned above, I'm thinking it's going to be an awfully awkward experience. I'm just not chatty! I don't do small talk (or big talk, for that matter)....but I would like to make a good impression on my host and have absolutely no idea how to overcome my shyness. My conversational skills are literally non-existent. *sigh* I hate interacting with people in the real world.

I know that a lot of my shyness stems from lack of confidence/imposter syndrome (especially when interacting with profs)......does anyone have any tips that might help me? This is clearly something I need to deal with BEFORE entering a career in academia...

HELP! Make me a socially functioning human in two weeks!