It's not just super extra. In a world where ALL in person application activities have been cancelled (interviews and second looks) it is extremely likely that it would be forbidden.
A long drive, maintaining distance, not staying in a hotel, etc is what I meant by honoring COVID-19 guidelines. We'd just be touring the surrounding city, not requesting a host, or eating in stores, or even going on campus, or anything like that. We'd also wait to be fully vaccinated (but still distancing and wearing masks). While I still think it might be a waste of effort, my family would not have proposed it if they thought they couldn't do so while keeping risk to a minimum. And I posted on here precisely because I'm not sure if the school would have the same interest in my demonstration of interest lol
I understand, and I'm honestly only trying to help you. I don't see how touring a city or a campus while on a WL demonstrates interest, as opposed to desperation, but you should definitely do what feels right. I just think telling the school about it in a LOI will be a terrible look, given the current situation, and will backfire.
I think the idea is that I can include more specifics and speak about the area from a personal POV as opposed to going online. I wouldn't be like "I was in the area visiting your campus," it would just be like "While in the city, I loved the vibe and could see myself hiking here or doing something over there."I understand, and I'm honestly only trying to help you. I don't see how touring a city or a campus while on a WL demonstrates interest, as opposed to desperation, but you should definitely do what feels right. I just think telling the school about it in a LOI will be a terrible look, given the current situation, and will backfire.
I'm in the process of getting vaccinated now (one down, one to go!), and I definitely feel less vulnerable than at any time since last March, but that doesn't mean s**t in the scheme of things while most people are still not vaccinated and I could still be a spreader. As you said, masking, distancing, etc. are still in effect, and are still necessary, as COVID stats are down 75% from the recent peak and are still higher than during the first spike last spring. If schools had any desire to have us come out of our bubble to demonstrate interest, they'd host socially distanced second looks.
Exactly what, other than desperation, do your parents think will be demonstrated by a long drive to a distant city, without a visit to campus, before you have been a spot in the class? Again, do it if it makes you feel better prepared in case the A comes, but PLEEEZE don't tell the school about it!
I guess that could work, although there really is no reason you can't do that research and say those things without actually making the trip. As long as you don't mention that you made a special trip during the pandemic, this won't hurt. This morphed from what was in your OP to something that just doesn't seem necessary, but at least won't turn anyone off. Good luck!!!
This is fine, and as far as I would go. I would be very, very wary of mentioning traveling during a pandemic -- even "safe" traveling. It demonstrates a certain flaunting of the rules and disregard for others that could have a net negative effect on your app.
This is a two-edged sword. My DO colleagues love it when people come visit and chat them up, as it shows true interest in the profession.
Does this hold true in the current climate?
COVID rules would dictate that you don't endanger your health or the health of others.
