Admitted applicant "visit" events...

[Canadianpolsci]

I am applying to 7 political science phd programs, all in the US North East (except for Chicago and Duke). I am from Toronto but currently work and live overseas. I hope to be admitted to a few programs, and to visit each place I am admitted. It seems many programs have "admitted applicant" visit day(s), where they host you and you can meet students, etc.

I am not sure when each of the schools I hope to be admitted to will hold such days. But I have to plan my trip back to North America now, before I know either where I am admitted, or when these schools are having these visit events.

When do these things normally take place? Is it really make such a difference if one visits during the official visit thing, or a little earlier or later by yourself (presuming its before deadline to accept/decline)? Any advice on this matter? I can come back once, for 2 weeks, any time between March 10 and April 10 or so. Most programs I am applying to seems to have made most decisions by March 10 last year.

Thoughts??

[flyingwalrus]

I would think it'd be fine for you to visit at other times. The faculty will be there either way, the only thing you'd miss out on would be meeting potential members of your cohort. And free food.

[polisciapp]

A big factor you (may want to) consider is cost. Typically, these schools will pay for you to visit on admit weekend. If you visit on your own, before being admitted, they will obviously not pay for your trip. So, if cost is a factor, then I would wait it out. Also, visiting a school before being admitted is fine, but the circumstances might change during this time of year since professors or schools might discourage visits. I'd check with the school about visiting before receiving an admissions decision.