Illinois State University - Open House Mandatory?

[Squarepants]

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Howdy all...

So ISU is my first choice (school psych!), but they've got this Open House visitation thing in October. Orbitz suggests it's a $250 flight there from my uni. Seeing as this isn't even an interview, but a visitation day, I'm having a hard time convincing myself this would be worth it - especially if I go to the trouble and don't land an interview at the school come December.

So what do you think about it? Am I effectively kissing my chances goodbye by skipping it, or is it really optional like the lettuce on a Whopper? Oh, and if there's anyone who applied to ISU, do tell if you went, and how you think it affected your chances, if at all. 😎

 

[RayneeDeigh]

The only "open house" I've heard much about is the kind that goes along with professional schools where they try to sell their product. For yours, I would assume it's just a nice chance to see the school before you drop some money to apply. I would be surprised if it would ruin your chances of being considered and the only drawback would be you're missing an opportunity to network and become a familiar face when they review your application. Not a huge deal as long as you're in email contact with your POI.

So my vote is for... don't worry about it.

 

[GiantSteps]

Howdy all...

So ISU is my first choice (school psych!), but they've got this Open House visitation thing in October. Orbitz suggests it's a $250 flight there from my uni. Seeing as this isn't even an interview, but a visitation day, I'm having a hard time convincing myself this would be worth it - especially if I go to the trouble and don't land an interview at the school come December.

So what do you think about it? Am I effectively kissing my chances goodbye by skipping it, or is it really optional like the lettuce on a Whopper? Oh, and if there's anyone who applied to ISU, do tell if you went, and how you think it affected your chances, if at all. 😎

Obviously, the more opportunities of which you take advantage to make connections with the professors, students, and staff the better. However, the visitation day does not appear to be mandatory. An interview for accepted students is probably mandatory but that would be later. I am sure that not all of teh accepted applicants attend the visitation day. October is still a ways off, you may be able to find cheaper airfair by then. I would also check if your Professor(s) of Interest will be at the visitation day. Going all the way there and not getting to speak to the key professors would not be good. By the way, I happened to look at the website - a November deadline for an application is very early (certainly not normal - get it? Normal Illinois)!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Open Houses are definitely not mandatory, though interviews almost always are (98% of the time). I'm a big believer in networking, so I would try and go to as many that I could get to, so I could get a better idea of the faculty, program, and meet some people.

-t

 

[paramour]

Nevermind!

 

[Salsybabe]

Howdy all...

So ISU is my first choice (school psych!), but they've got this Open House visitation thing in October. Orbitz suggests it's a $250 flight there from my uni. Seeing as this isn't even an interview, but a visitation day, I'm having a hard time convincing myself this would be worth it - especially if I go to the trouble and don't land an interview at the school come December.

So what do you think about it? Am I effectively kissing my chances goodbye by skipping it, or is it really optional like the lettuce on a Whopper? Oh, and if there's anyone who applied to ISU, do tell if you went, and how you think it affected your chances, if at all. 😎

I interviewed and was accepted to ISU. I never attended an open house. You will not be penalized for not attending. If they say it's optional, it's optional. They know that people can't afford to attend all of these events and it's probably more of an informational about the program, just to confirm for yourself that you really want to apply. You seem pretty sure you're going to apply, so I wouldn't put up the money to go.