Tracking Campus Visits

Even with schools that don't formally track campus visits, like Booth, it is probably worth it to get out there if you can. Obviously it gives you a better idea of the school, the students, the campus, etc. But equally importantly, your interviewer may ask if you have visited, which may give him/her an indication of your interests, which in turn can effect his/her evaluation of your candidacy. It also gives you more stuff to talk about in your interview or potentially essays (e.g., "I knew Booth was an ideal school for me when, on my visit to campus . . . ").

Columbia formally asks about this on the application, I think because they are so focused on gaming their yield - they want nothing to do with people who are applying half-heartedly or as a safety to H/S/W