Should I tell the school that I'm going to visit them?

[chitahihu]

I'm now still waiting for the result from a school. They told me the admission decision will come out by early or mid March but I have booked the ticket to go to the school's city for visiting my friends and I might come to visit that school if I know I'm accepted (certainly if they reject me before I come there, I won't make it to their school).

Should I email the ad-com to tell them that I'm going to visit them and ask them to tell me about the admission decision (Does it sound pushing them to issue a decision?) before then or at least ask for a in-person interview if they're interested although I know that they are not intending to interview any applicant before making the decision.

Please advise. Thanks.

[GirlattheHelm]

To be honest, I wouldn't visit until you have the acceptance letter in hand. As nice as it is to visit it's in accordance with what they want to do with you; if you want to visit you should do that before you send in your application, in order to know where you want to apply, or after your acceptance.

I know this doesn't make things easy but it's also part and parcel to the process. Hurrying them won't help, asking in enthusiasm to go is nice but it's also rude because you can't know what their decision is going to be. And, despite cold rejections, nobody feels good about turning other people down (unless you're truly cold hearted). In no way is it easily said, "Can you tell me if I'm accepted now because I want to visit."

It just doesn't work that way.

PS: If you're going to just go to the school; fine. But don't go under false pretenses and I wouldn't go talk to the department folks. It's just... odd.

[rising_star]

You can ask about application status and timeline for decisions without mentioning that you're visiting. Then, if you're in, say that you want to come visit.

[chitahihu]

To be honest, I wouldn't visit until you have the acceptance letter in hand. As nice as it is to visit it's in accordance with what they want to do with you; if you want to visit you should do that before you send in your application, in order to know where you want to apply, or after your acceptance.

I know this doesn't make things easy but it's also part and parcel to the process. Hurrying them won't help, asking in enthusiasm to go is nice but it's also rude because you can't know what their decision is going to be. And, despite cold rejections, nobody feels good about turning other people down (unless you're truly cold hearted). In no way is it easily said, "Can you tell me if I'm accepted now because I want to visit."

It just doesn't work that way.

PS: If you're going to just go to the school; fine. But don't go under false pretenses and I wouldn't go talk to the department folks. It's just... odd.

Thank you but do you think i'm showing my enthusiasm to their school. I told them long ago that I'll come that day and now I restate it.

And if they intend to reject me (I mean they already made a decision but have not notified me), my visit doesn't help now anyway. if they are still reviewing, they may notice my enthusiasm to join their school and that might be a plus. how do you guys think?

[psycholinguist]

I'd email the department, mention that you're going to be in town anyway, and ask whether they would recommend that you visit.

[UnlikelyGrad]

Find some professors you want to work with. Email them directly and ask if you can visit their lab. That's what I did, and I ended up getting two positive responses out of three. Makes me wish I had business trips booked near other schools I've applied to!

[GirlattheHelm]

Thank you but do you think i'm showing my enthusiasm to their school. I told them long ago that I'll come that day and now I restate it.

And if they intend to reject me (I mean they already made a decision but have not notified me), my visit doesn't help now anyway. if they are still reviewing, they may notice my enthusiasm to join their school and that might be a plus. how do you guys think?

It's hard to say what you will show them; enthusiasm is one possible thing. Inconsideration of timing is another possible 'thing' you might show them.

Now, I work in a department and very rarely, if ever, have seen anybody show up once applications are in. Our department loves when people show up to inquire; of course, before they apply. My boss seethes when people do the process oddly; like the girl that was rejected and showed up to have a look-see. It made him miserable all day and then, quite angry.

Each department has its own little mindset and none are the same. Some will welcome you with open arms, while the pure professionals will scoff at you, and then others will be standoffish or too busy during this process to want to be bothered or bias. You need to find a way to politely ask if its appropriate for you to show up (which is somewhat inappropriate to have to ask anyway); knowing full well that the application process is occurring.

I, personally, wouldn't go. Sure, you can add to your application but you can also add insult to injury and the delicate balance of some admissions person might be tipped in some direction. But are you sure you know which way it will go?

If you are determined to go do it the best bet is to:

I'd email the department, mention that you're going to be in town anyway, and ask whether they would recommend that you visit.

Good luck.

[MDLee]

To be honest, I wouldn't visit until you have the acceptance letter in hand. As nice as it is to visit it's in accordance with what they want to do with you; if you want to visit you should do that before you send in your application, in order to know where you want to apply, or after your acceptance.

I agree with GirlattheHelm, here. Right now isn't the time to be planning campus tours..unless you're just interested in seeing a pretty educational institution (I personally tour college campuses wherever I go just for the fact that they often are the prettiest part of the city). I wouldn't tell em you're coming unless they accept you between now and your trip. Then it looks like a proactive effort to be campus-friendly. Otherwise it just looks desperate and there's nothing they can do for you anyway.