Bringing Others to Visitations & "Professional" emails

[lookwhoslp]

Hi all,

 

So I'm beginning the process of visiting schools to hopefully cut down the number of programs I apply to. This summer I'll be visiting a couple programs that are out of town. I know this has been raised for accepted student visitations.... but for those that are attending a prospective student visitation, is it ok to bring parents or a boyfriend at all? (I know a boyfriend is probably less acceptable, but he lives 3000 miles away in Spain and will be visiting me for a month, during which is one of my visitations... and I'd feel bad just leaving him alone in the hotel.)

 

Also, although my current e-mail is semi-professional (something like "trinak692"), I'm considering creating a more professional email for applying to schools and jobs. I'm sort of torn as my first name is somewhat unique and could help them remember me in the application process... my options would be something like:
katrinak@yahoo
katrinakillarney@yahoo
kjkillarney@yahoo
kkillarney@yahoo

 

Do any of those seem better to you guys? (don't worry I changed my last name, but my first/last names do have alliteration ha). I just feel like 'katrinakillarney' is too sterile or uniform, but maybe thats best? I also feel like "kkillarney" might get tricky in the process of going through 400 applicants and forgetting there's 2 k's. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

[Missthang]

The only time I took my parents with me to visit a school was when I attended the grad program open house. I told the program manager in advance that I was in undergrad and looking to transfer to the school and complete my B.S., not to actually apply to the program for grad entry. All other open house, visitations, meetings, etc. I go alone. I think it's more professional that way. I'll never forget how embarrassed I was when my parents would ask questions about random things, yet it's awkward if you tell them to just be quiet and smile the whole time too. Personally I would leave everyone at home because that would probably make the best impression (you'd hate to be known as the student who's mom asked goofy questions or something lol).

 

As far as emails, I continued to use my same email that I've had forever. It's my 3 initials and 4 numbers (ex: ngk8723... ). I think something like that is fine or if you want to make a new one it's ok too. As long as it's not something like onedirectionlover or hotmomma123 then I think you're ok!

[argslp]

My mom and grandma came with me on prospective tours at the University of Maryland, Towson, and Loyola. My mom was with me on prospective tours of Boston University, Emerson College, Northeastern University, and the University of Rhode Island. We made trips out of all of those visits and I did not want them to stay alone in the hotel rooms. My mom also came with me to my interview at Boston University. She didn't come into the interview room with me, of course, but I was recovering from foot surgery at the time so it was helpful to have her there. There weren't any issues caused by their presence. They even asked questions, but I was sure to be more vocal than them during each visit to show personal interest.

 

I think all of your e-mail options are fine!

[lookwhoslp]

Thank you guys so much! If it was my parents, then I would probably bring them. Seeing as the one is when my boyfriend is here, I'm slightly torn since I rarely get to see him... but I guess it'll only be 1-2 hours (it starts at 6pm after all), so I guess he can stay at the hotel. 
 

I'll think about the email options a little more, but thanks for your input! I hate having another email, but it's always good to have a more professional one.

[Green Dino]

Hi all,

 

So I'm beginning the process of visiting schools to hopefully cut down the number of programs I apply to. This summer I'll be visiting a couple programs that are out of town. I know this has been raised for accepted student visitations.... but for those that are attending a prospective student visitation, is it ok to bring parents or a boyfriend at all? (I know a boyfriend is probably less acceptable, but he lives 3000 miles away in Spain and will be visiting me for a month, during which is one of my visitations... and I'd feel bad just leaving him alone in the hotel.)

 

Also, although my current e-mail is semi-professional (something like "trinak692"), I'm considering creating a more professional email for applying to schools and jobs. I'm sort of torn as my first name is somewhat unique and could help them remember me in the application process... my options would be something like:

katrinak@yahoo

katrinakillarney@yahoo

kjkillarney@yahoo

kkillarney@yahoo

 

Do any of those seem better to you guys? (don't worry I changed my last name, but my first/last names do have alliteration ha). I just feel like 'katrinakillarney' is too sterile or uniform, but maybe thats best? I also feel like "kkillarney" might get tricky in the process of going through 400 applicants and forgetting there's 2 k's. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

Hello lookwhoslp!

 

I think all of the names you listed are pretty neutral, and any of them would be fine. Speaking of e-mail addresses, this article might be of interest to you. These are just stereotypes, of course

 

I think you'll find it very useful to have a separate e-mail address for applying to schools, especially if your e-mail accounts are linked to your phone. I know I did! Any time I received an e-mail from a school I applied to, whether it was confirming receipt of application materials or informing me of a decision, I could easily tell it was application-related if it showed up in the designated e-mail account I created. When the decision period starts, and nerves are running high, you'll appreciate that coupons and Facebook notifications won't be mistaken for an anticipated response from a school

 

Good luck with everything!

[sayjo]

I think that you might be overthinking things too much for the visit and email.  It's perfectly fine to bring others with you if you wish.  They can always walk around the campus or hang out in the library while you're meeting with the SLP department.  Additionally, I don't think the email matters all that much.  As long as you type it into your applications correctly, it will most likely be going into some automated system so it shouldn't be an issue.

 

HOWEVER, I will say that as an "adult" (I worked for five years before returning to school), I've liked having a professional email.  I have one that's my first and last name at gmail.  It's great to have when it comes time for job applications, scholarships, etc.  Just a thought...