From the Assistant Dean for Admissions: When Should I Visit Campus?

Many of you are in the midst of conducting your MBA program research and exploring a number of programs.  This research takes many forms, from speaking with friends and colleagues to reviewing school websites to visiting campuses. I am often asked when the best time is to visit campus, and especially whether there is any advantage to doing so before submitting your application.  My answer?  It depends on what you’re looking to gain from the visit, and of course, on your availability.

If you plan to apply in Round 1 and feel visiting campus is necessary to help you identify which schools to apply to, you’ll probably plan to schedule your visits in the summer.  Bear in mind, students are not on campus and classes are not in session during that time, so the  experience will be limited.  Attending admissions events in your city, or even online, are additional ways to get a sense for what differentiates one school from another. 

 If you feel confident in your Round 1 school selection, or if you’re planning to apply in Rounds 2 or 3, I highly recommend planning to visit schools during the academic year.  Depending on the school, visits during the academic year could include opportunities to sit in on a class, connect with current students, and maybe even attend a special event like a women’s day. Do your research in advance to be mindful of registration requirements, travel considerations, etc. 

At Yale SOM, there are a number of benefits to visiting campus, and a few things to consider:

 Traveling to Yale in the summer is a great way to see New Haven (and eat in one of the best cities for foodies!), tour our state-of-the-art campus, Edward P. Evans Hall, and connect with an admissions officer for a Q & A session.  You’ll need to register in advance for the Campus Visit program, which is offered on most Fridays throughout the summer.

If you can visit when classes are in session, the program will be much more comprehensive and you’ll get more out of the experience.  This is beneficial if you’re still deciding where to apply or if you’re in the process of identifying your top choice.  You will attend a live class, have lunch with current students, enjoy a tour of Evans Hall (and a tour of the Yale University campus, if you’d like), and have access to an Admissions Committee member for a Q & A session.  Academic-year visits are offered on most Mondays through Thursdays, since classes are not in session on Fridays.  We also host special events for prospective students, including Fall Friday for Women, SOM Communities: Explore Diverse Perspectives, and our Military Open House. Please note that while visiting before you apply will provide you with more insight into our program and community, it will not increase your chances of being admitted.

Right now, with classes over and the school year winding down, our campus visit program has ended for the 2017-18 academic year. It will resume in the fall, but until then, we are pleased to announce our summer campus visit program, which takes place on most Fridays throughout the summer months. To participate,  register in advance on our website.  Registration for academic-year visits will become available in late July.

We wish you all the best as you research your target schools, and we hope to see you here in New Haven. Whether it’s during the summer, or in the bustling fall months, we look forward to hosting you and offering a glimpse into the Yale SOM experience. As many students and alumni will tell you, you have to experience it for yourself.