Should I go to Preview Day?

[Health Nut]

The department at the university I plan to attend has invited me to a Preview Day - with a week's advance notice!  I will be doing a PhD there, and plan to accept but am still waiting to hear from one final school.  It's a small department, and I have been told there are plenty of assistantships to go around, but there is one professor in particular I hope to work with. I emailed her about a week ago to make a connection but haven't heard back, though I have heard she is quite approachable so I'm not too worried.

 

My question is, how necessary is it that I go to the Preview Day? I live abroad, so it will be a considerable expense, but if it will be really helpful (or noticeable if I'm not there), then I will make it happen. It is a half-day event and is for all of the Masters and PhD programs within the department.

[perpetuavix]

Did you ask about assistance with paying for your visit? I think that visiting the department is pretty important. There's a lot of intangibles that you can't learn about on their website or by asking questions over email. But if you're already pretty decided on the department AND it's expensive/difficult to visit AND they don't offer money, then it's reasonable to not visit. 

[RomulusAugustulus]

I was also going to ask if they offered any financial help for the visit. If they did, I would say go. If not, since you live abroad it is reasonable not to go and I think they will understand. In that case though, I would email them saying you are very interested in the program but you are not able to make it to the visiting days and would it be possible to meet with someone (or several people) over skype to discuss the program in more detail. That way you can still meet some profs face to face and get to ask some questions, etc. The program I am going to offered to do this for students who couldn't make the visiting days (they also gave short notice and had several international admits).