rhyme wrote:
I did all my visits pre-application, with the exception of my backups. I found campus visits INVALUABLE in getting the right information from students - getting a pulse for schools, etc. It was very very helpful for writing about the school. Its hard to sound convincingly passionate about something when you havent even visited.. Talking about your visit and the people you met in an essay sounds much much more powerful in my mind than just talking about what you read on the website.
I think a key to this is to make sure they know you are there too. Get credit for visiting the school. It will show how serious you are about attending their school and that you are putting an effort into determining you fit. I would say that the best plan for visiting is to go preapplication and then post acceptance. If you are accepted to two different schools the second visit to both could really help you decide.
A lot has to do with budget and vacation time. Not everyone can afford to visit 5 or 6 schools and have the time to take off from work. Its your advantage if you live within driving distance of the schools you are looking at. Like living in New England and touring those in Boston and NYC.